Is Iodine Enough?
Iodine may be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of healthy thyroid function, but sometimes taking iodine alone isn’t enough. Ayurveda suggests some herbs to support healthy iodine absorption into the thyroid.
Guggul for Thyroid
In one study, guggul (Commiphora mukul) was shown to increase uptake of iodine into the thyroid gland. This is perhaps due to enhanced activities of thyroid peroxidase and protease, as well as oxygen consumption, all of which were found with guggul supplementation.1
Another study on guggul supplementation suggests that its constituent factors have the ability to counteract thyroid dampening agents in otherwise healthy subjects.2
In a final study, after 30 days, certain constituents in guggul were found to boost activity of enzymes—like super-oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lipid peroxides (LPO)—all of which support healthy thyroid function. This increased antioxidant activity is thought to be responsible for the increase in T3 and T4 thyroid hormone levels also noted in this study.3
Ashwagandha for Thyroid
According to Ayurveda, guggul is best used in conjunction with ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Studies suggest there are constituents in ashwagandha that also support healthy lipid peroxide levels (LPO) in the liver, where thyroid hormones are manufactured.4
SOD and CAT levels were found to be significantly increased after supplementation with ashwagandha. Certain constituents in ashwagandha are thought to support natural production of these enzymes, which counteract thyroid-depressing agents in otherwise healthy individuals, resulting in higher levels of T4, the precursor hormone to T3, considered the active thyroid hormone.4,5 Other studies have measured a boost in both T3 and T4 levels in correlation with ashwagandha supplementation.5
Ashwagandha is one of the world’s most potent adaptogens, which means it supports a healthy response to stress. In one study, 64 chronically stressed subjects were given 300mg of ashwagandha twice a day for two months. The group that ingested ashwagandha saw a significant reduction in scores on all stress-assessment scales compared to placebo.6
According to researchers, these findings suggest that ashwagandha root safely and effectively improves an individual’s resistance to stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.
Takeaway: Herbs for Thyroid
If you’re taking iodine for thyroid health, consider boosting its effectiveness by supplementing with guggul and ashwagandha, two ancient Ayurvedic herbs that your thyroid will love!
Read all of my thyroid article here.
Puper says
Dr John, what do you think of using Vidari Kanda for hyperthyroid issues causing majorPitta and Vata imbalances?
Owireduaa says
How many hours interval if one is taking aswagandha and levothyroixin..after taken Levo on an empty stomach, how many hours or minutes should be the interval before taking aswagandha
isabella marino says
i have several nogales on my tyroid, and my test always comes out within range, i have every systom of typroid problems. i had a needle asparation it said non cancer, 4 yrs. ago, all these systoms that i am experiencing, and have been for 10yrs. can the doctor been missing it because the test comes out in normal range.
Ann Sanders says
Hashimotos is becoming so widespread, it is almost an epidemic. I have this condition and feel great empathy for my fellow sufferers, unfortunately, the allopathic attitude is to throw T4 at the problem and utterly useless if conversion is poor. It would be just wonderful if mainstream medicine could embrace other methods ( TCM Ayurveda) but I guess it would not be in the interests of the pharmaceutical industries. Hashimotos is complex and the first place to look is in the gut. If only Dr Douillard was available to all of us, what a healthier world we would be in.
LL says
Might be nice if you mentioned that the studies you referred to were on mice and… not recent
Tejal says
I have Hashimotos and have tried Ashwaghanda but it made me feel anxious and my chest heavy with heart palpitations. Later I found that nightshades were a problem for me and traced back how Ashwaghanda was in the nightshade family. Could that be the reason for my not doing well with it? I know it’s such an amazing herb and would love to give it a try once again, any suggestions on potency and dosage for someone like me would be greatly appreciated.
John Douillard says
Hi Tejal. Thanks for reaching out. I will be writing more articles about the thyroid soon, but yes both herbs can be taken for Hashimotos. Instead of Ashwaghanda we have a formula called Energico you may want to research: http://store.lifespa.com/energico.html Be well.
Joe says
link fails.
Do you have a thyroid support with the 3, iodine, guggul and ashwaganda?
LifeSpa Staff says
Hi Joe,
Energico has been replaced with a new formula which now contains Ashwagandha: 5 Herbal Energy https://store.lifespa.com/product/5-herbal-energy/
We do not have a mixture with all 3 herbs, but we do have a Thyroid Support formula with iodine: https://store.lifespa.com/product/thyroid-support/
Best,
LifeSpa Staff
sheba says
Hello John D
Thank you for all of your sharing and caring about us all
Do you think taking myrrh tincture has the same sort of effect as the guggul? I ask as they are both in the same family of burseracaea – also known as the myrrh family.
Everyone
I had goitre a two or three years ago with the immune system attacking the thyroid and hyperactive thyroid gland levels but super low brain thyroid levels of thyroid chemicals. (So I certainly didn’t become skinny.) I had lots of thyroid disease symptoms. I was told by the doc that it was an autoimmune problem.
I cut out antinutrients – lectins and phytic acid were the ones I was particularly concerned about once I found out about them and realized I’d been preparing grains, seeds, nuts, and pulses insufficiently, so therefore had lectins making holes in the gut, and probably sitting upon the thyroid and eliciting the autoimmune attack thereupon. I upped protein and probiotic cultured food too to aid gut repair, as well as continuing with the iodine on the skin.
Within a month the goitre had visibly shrunk, and continued to shrink thereafter and remains gone to this day.
I don’t know about the chemistry though as I tend to avoid the docs.
Good luck everyone!
Namaste
Colby says
From what I’ve experienced, Myrrh seems to work very similarly to guggul, but it’s lighter and more bitter and drying in effect. This only applies to very pure myrrh compared to very pure guggul, though!
sheba says
Ta Colby
Bless
Cathy Alex says
Good for you. Conventional doctors are dangerous. Stick with natural or Holistic DR’s and you can’t go wrong.
Samura says
If i am a healthy person just trying to get rid of a few pounds, do you recomend ggugul lean?
John Douillard says
Hi Samura, thanks for the comment. Traditionally guggul was used for detoxifying fats cells and supporting healthy thyroid function. Find out more here: https://lifespa.com/guggul-and-weight-loss-research/ With proper lifestyle shifts, guggul lean can offer a nice support for weight balance. Be well.
Joelle says
My daughter has Hashimoto and takes levothyroxine 75 mcg. Her TSH is low right around 2.0.
When she takes ashwagandha, she feels jittery and a “hyper” feeling inside. Do you have an idea as why she may experience it this way? Thank you for your answer and all that you do.
deb says
I am interested in the answer to this question as well.
Joelle says
Hello, Dr. Douillard,
My daughter has Hashimoto but her numbers are good at the moment with a TSH of around 2.0. She take levothyroxine 75 mcg (she is 26). When she took Ashwagandha, it made her “hyper”…jittery, internally…..Do you have a clue as why this may happen?
Phillipa Joy says
Would guggul be contraindicated for Grave’s Disease? (Overactive thyroid) I already have my client taking ashwaghanda
Sharyn says
Would you recommend guggul & ashwagandha for someone with Hashimoto’s who is taking levothyroxine?
Ina says
Great question! I would love to hear the answer. I think there’s an epidemic of Hashimotos!
JoAnn says
Yes, I’d also like an answer as I have Hashimotos as well.
John Douillard says
Hi Sharyn. Please check with your doctor first. Every person is different that’s why dealing with this issue at the root cause is always best done through consultation: https://lifespa.com/about-lifespa/ayurvedic-clinic/ Please email info@lifespa.com if you have questions
Kelley Mathews says
Hi John-
I am new to your website. I love the integration of Ayurvedic Medicine with nutritional and biological sciences. I wonder if in a future post you could speak to those of us who have had thyroid cancer and what to do about residual thyroid tissue. I had thyroid cancer in 1991, but 3/4 of my thyroid was left. I take synthroid to suppress it. About three years ago new nodules appeared and the overall health of the tissue was very poor based on biopsy I fought back with a concoction of green tea (or white or matcha), spinach, lemon, berries, broccoli sprouts and flax seed. 6 months later the tissue health was excellent and the nodules had shrunk 30%. In addition, I changed my diet toward greens, vegetable, fruits, berries and seeds and nuts with very little prepared food or meats. Most recently, my doctor told me all my cancer markers were no longer elevated. They energy I have on suppression is not the same as the energy I have from my natural thyroid and I am hungry for that energy again. Work, family,and projects of personal interest and commitment keep me going non stop everyday and I feel I have to push through despite my nutritionally rich diet. About a year ago I was unable to take my synthroid for about three days and my energy soared. Plus I have weight struggles despite walking/running 5 miles 4-5 days a week. Not fair! I wonder it I could compose a regimen that would allow me to go off the synthroid, but keep my thyroid healthy enough to prevent the cancer from returning.
Meg Fitzpatrick says
Can I take these 2 supplements if I take levothyroxine sodium daily?
What about the Life Spa Iodine HP that I take 1x a week?
Thanks
John Douillard says
Hi Meg. It’s always best to check with your doctor, feel free to email at info@lifespa.com
Colby says
Well timed article! Super appreciative for the sign. I’ll use some ashwagandha and kelp today. Thanks JD!