Top Herbs for Hashimoto’s

DR. IZABELLA WENTZ / SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

As a pharmacist, I’ve seen how prescription medications for chronic conditions can
often come up short in fully resolving symptoms and in making people feel better.
This can be particularly true with Hashimoto’s. Most people will experience multiple
triggers that continue to cause both symptoms and ongoing thyroid damage, even
when taking prescribed thyroid medication.

Through my own trial and error investigations, over the years, I have experienced
firsthand the profound effect that many supplemental interventions can have on
healing the human body.

Near the beginning of my own Hashimoto’s journey, after experiencing continued

symptoms while taking thyroid hormone medication, two of the complementary
approaches that I eventually tried were acupuncture and immune-balancing herbal
therapies recommended by my acupuncturist. I was surprised and thrilled by the
results. My TPO antibodies at the time fell from the 2,000 range to the mid-300s.

Since then, I’ve seen the beneficial effects of a wide variety of herbal therapies with
many clients and readers. Today, I want to share some of my favorites with you.
These herbs specifically address common triggers for Hashimoto’s, and research
shows they can improve thyroid hormone levels and overall thyroid health as well.
In this article, you will discover:

 Why herbs are used in functional medicine

 How herbs can address your Hashimoto’s triggers
 Top herbs that I like and the research behind them
 Important considerations when using herbal therapies
Why Herbs are Used in Functional Medicine
Most conventional doctors “treat” Hashimoto’s by focusing on correcting TSH levels
in their patients, but do not work to address the root causes of the autoimmune
condition itself. Nor do most conventional doctors believe that Hashimoto’s is
reversible. In contrast, functional medicine practitioners look at the underlying
triggers of autoimmunity in order to reverse the condition. My root cause
approach is built on these functional medicine principles as well.
Today, functional medicine practitioners utilize herbs for a variety of medicinal
purposes, as they have been shown to provide both targeted and broad-spectrum
benefits to patients and clients. In particular, I, along with many of my peers, have
found that specific herbs can be utilized to treat the root causes of many chronic
diseases. Most medicinal herbs and plants show anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and
immune-moderating properties. More and more research is substantiating herbal
products and the effects that doctors, herbalists and patients have been seeing for
thousands of years.

What are Herbs?

Herbs are plants or plant parts (leaves, roots, seeds, flowers, berries, bark) that have
aromatic or savory properties and are often used in cooking. But many herbs are also
known for their medicinal properties. Sometimes different parts of the same plant can
be used for multiple medicinal purposes, as well as for culinary use (where an herb is
usually known as a spice).

Though the term “herb” used to be applied only to non-woody plants, it is now
commonly used interchangeably with the term “medicinal plant” to refer to any part
of a plant, like the fruit, seed, stem, bark, flower, leaf, root, or stigma. So, while aloe
is a medicinal plant, it is also an herb, and I will refer to it as such for the purposes of
this article.

Herbs used for medicinal purposes are called herbal products, phytomedicines, or
botanical products. If intended for internal use, the product is usually referred to as an
herbal supplement. Herbal supplements can be purchased in many forms, both raw
and dried, including: powdered, in a pill or capsule, dried, chopped, in essential oils,
in a cream, or in a form to be brewed as tea (to name a few).

Currently, herbal products are not regulated by the FDA, so people need to ensure
they purchase quality herbal supplements from a reputable vendor. There are many
variations between different brands and recommended dosages are not standardized
like with a prescribed drug. There can also be drug interaction issues between herbs
and some prescription medications, so it is always important to talk with your doctor
about the use of herbal supplements.

Many ayurvedic herbs sold over the internet have been tested to reveal high levels
of mercury, so it is important to do your research and look for herbs that meet safety
standards before purchasing.
History of Herbs

Herbs have been used for medicinal purposes by many cultures, for thousands of
years. The oldest actual written evidence of plants being used for medicinal usage was
found on a Sumerian clay slab from Nagpur (India), which is thought to be
approximately 5000 years old. Herbs were referenced in the Bible, and Egyptian
herbalists documented their interest in herbal medicine, as well as the use of herbs in
cooking and cosmetics. If you are interested in learning more, here is a detailed
history of the use of herbs.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) utilizes ancient herbal traditions even today,
with herbs assigned with qualities such as “stimulating” (yang) or “cooling” (yin).
Ayurvedic Medicine incorporates the use of herbal therapies to reduce stress, balance
the body’s health, and heal a variety of conditions.

More and more, even traditional Western practitioners are starting to recognize the
importance of practices belonging to TCM and Ayurvedic disciplines, and are using
complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, meditation, and herbs, to
help their patients and clients.

Please note: as I mentioned earlier, I recommend exercising extreme caution with the
use of herbal supplements. A study done by JAMA on August of 2008 found that 20
percent of Ayurvedic medicines sold via the internet contained lead, mercury and
arsenic! Since 1978, more than 80 cases of lead poisoning have been associated with
Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurvedic medicines come in two major types: herbal only and rasa shastra. Rasha
shastra is an ancient practice of mixing herbs with metals, minerals and gems –
mercury, lead, iron, zinc, mica, and pearl. Rasa shastra formulations are twice as
likely to contain heavy metals.

Several formulations revealed lead/mercury levels of hundreds of thousands of times

the allowable amounts. These preparations can be especially problematic for people
with overburdened detox pathways, like those with Hashimoto’s and MTHFR gene
mutations.
I only trust high quality professional supplement brands, and have gone a step deeper
and formulated my own line of supplements, which undergo extensive testing for
heavy metals, toxins, and contamination.
How Herbs Can Address Your
Hashimoto’s Triggers
As a complementary therapy for Hashimoto’s, herbs are most effective when targeting
your own unique root causes or triggers, versus focusing on a particular symptom. An
example might be having a digestive issue, a common symptom with Hashimoto’s.
Certainly there are many herbs known to address digestion symptoms, but if your root
cause is really stress (causing your digestive symptoms), there are particular herbs
better suited to support your body’s stressed out state. If your gut
impairment/digestive issue is heavy metal related, there are herbs that are better suited
to address that.

That’s why I always ask new clients to complete a health timeline, to identify what
was happening in their life when they last felt well. Health events (root cause triggers)
that are commonly uncovered on health timelines include: toxic medication use (oral
contraceptives, antibiotics, acid blockers), other toxin exposures, any number
of viruses and infections (including dental infections or parasites), or even periods
of chronic stress.
Once you complete your own health timeline, you may start to see possible triggers
unique to you. If necessary, you can then do lab testing to confirm those triggers.

If you identify you have one or more of the common infections seen in Hashimoto’s,
there are protocols to help eradicate the infections, including the use of specific herbal
products.

Some herbs have excellent anti-parasitic properties. We’ll talk about two of those in
this article: turmeric and aloe vera, and there are many others such as Saccharomyces
boulardii, black walnuts, garlic, oil of oregano, and wormwood.
If your health history shows evidence of a lingering virus, like the Epstein-Barr-
Virus (EBV), that may point you to using one of the many antiviral herbs. The EBV
virus was one of my triggers due to contracting mononucleosis in college. One great
herbal antiviral that I will talk more about is cordyceps, which has been shown to
suppress the Epstein-Barr virus, as well as act as a broad-spectrum antiviral and be
immune-modulating. Other good antivirals include oil of oregano, lomatium
and astragalus.
If your health timeline points to chronic stress, there are many wonderful adaptogenic
herbs out there you may wish to try. Adaptogenic herbs help your entire body cope
with stress by supporting adrenal health. I’ll talk about ashwagandha, one of my
favorite adaptogenic herbs, in this article. Others include tulsi (I love this Tulsi tea in
the evenings), maca, schisandra, and Siberian ginseng.
There are many broad-spectrum herbal products focused on gut health. We know that
a leaky gut is one of the three requirements for someone to have an autoimmune
disease like Hashimoto’s. I’ll talk about turmeric and aloe vera in this article, but
there are many others as well, including oil of oregano, Saccharomyces boulardii,
licorice, slippery elm, and marshmallow root.
If you’ve noted heavy metal or toxin exposures on your health timeline, there are
herbs such as Nigella sativa that show promise in providing protective action against
both natural and chemical toxicities (including mercury and lead). Turmeric is also a
helpful heavy metal detoxifier.
I hope you see the point I am making relating to focusing on root causes versus
simply focusing on a given symptom.

So now let’s talk about my favorite herbs.

Top Herbs That I Like And The Research Behind

Them

1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) – My Favorite

Adaptogen
An adaptogen is a substance that can raise the body’s resilience to various types of
physical and emotional stress. We know that stress and resulting adrenal
dysfunction are common triggers for Hashimoto’s. Adaptogens are thought to relieve
adrenal dysfunction by normalizing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis;
they tone down overactive systems and boost underactive systems in the body.
I love adrenal adaptogens and have used them off and on since 2012, especially
during periods of stress. I did stop taking them during my pregnancy, but appreciate
that I can take them again now. Many adaptogens, including Ashwagandha and Tulsi,
are known to have galactagogue properties and have been used by nursing moms for
centuries to support milk production and to get through the sleep-deprivation that
comes with those adorable tiny humans.

Many of my clients have noticed in their own health timeline that their thyroid
symptoms began after experiencing a particularly stressful period in their life; job
changes, graduate school, cross-country moves, and the loss of loved ones are often
disease-preceding events that come up on my clients’ timelines. Of course,
postpartum is one of these stressful (though also joyous) periods, and we know that
postpartum thyroiditis is often closely tied to the onset of Hashimoto’s.

Ashwagandha is a popular adaptogenic herb and is viewed as one of the most

important herbs of Ayurveda, with many studies showing it to have adaptogenic and
anti-stress properties, along with being neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-
arthritic, and analgesic.

Additional hypothyroid support seen with ashwagandha:

The reason ashwagandha is my favorite adaptogenic herb is that research has shown it
to be beneficial for normalizing thyroid hormone levels. Remember how adaptogens
are supposed to normalize the HPA axis and boost underactive systems in the body?
One small study showed that after 8 weeks of treatment, ashwagandha improved
serum TSH, T3 and T4 levels, normalizing serum levels.
Another study focused on mood disorders found that along with improving mood,
ashwagandha could be an effective treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism, as it
elevated T4 levels, while providing neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant,
and antidepressant properties.

Research has also shown ashwagandha to reduce anxiety and stress, enhance the
quality of sleep, as well as help women with sexual dysfunction.
I recommend and use the product Ashwagandha by Pure Encapsulations, but note
that if stress or adrenal dysfunction is your trigger, you could also try maca in a
favorite smoothie. Rootcology Adrenal Support and Daily Stress Formula by Pure
Encapsulations are other good options.
Precautions when taking ashwagandha:
Ashwagandha is not to be taken by pregnant women. Though it can be used as a
galactagogue for lactating women, I always recommend working with a
knowledgeable herbalist/lactation consultant to ensure that it is appropriate.

It may be contraindicated in the small percentage of individuals with allergic reactions

to plants in the nightshade family (tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant, bell peppers,
cayenne pepper, etc.). Though I have not personally seen clients react to the
supplemental form that is taken as a capsule, my friend Magdalena Wszelaki, a
hormone specialist who is training as an herbalist, mentioned that the powdered form
of ashwagandha (used in a latte), caused joint pain in about one third of her clients.
From attending herbal conferences, she learned that ashwagandha taken in a tincture
form does not cause the same problems. It would seem that the problematic
constituents are water-soluble, which is why they are not extracted into a tincture.

Ashwagandha is contraindicated for those taking immuno-suppressant medications

and may have an additive effect when combined with sedatives or thyroid
medications. As it has thyroid boosting properties, I always recommend testing
thyroid function while taking ashwagandha if you have hypothyroidism (which you
should do anyway if you take thyroid medications!), and avoiding it with
hyperthyroidism, unless it’s specifically recommended by your practitioner. Always
consult with your physician prior to taking any new prescription medications or herbal
supplements.

2. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) – What Doesn’t It

Do?
I often suggest to people that they keep an aloe vera plant in their home, as it can filter
out toxins in the air, is loaded with nutrients (including thyroid-
supportive selenium, zinc and magnesium), and contains the amino acid tyrosine (a
precursor for thyroxine).
Aloe vera is antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory and is used to address a variety of
Hashimoto’s triggers such as blood sugar imbalance, gut issues, viruses (herpes
viruses as well as the Epstein-Barr Virus), and infections.
Take a look at your health timeline…do you have any of these triggers?
Additional hypothyroid support seen with aloe vera:
I was really excited to learn about a new study from Italy, which focused specifically
on the benefits of aloe vera in Hashimoto’s. Interestingly, one of the researchers who
initiated the study saw that her own Hashimoto’s markers improved after she began
drinking aloe vera on a daily basis, to soothe her digestion and use as a laxative for
constipation.

The study used 50 mL of Aloe barbadensis miller juice (or ABMJ, which is the
botanical name for the aloe vera plant) twice daily, for a period of nine months, in
women with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and subclinical hypothyroidism. After the nine-
month trial, there was a decrease in serum TSH and TPO antibodies (a 54 percent
reduction!), as well as an increase in serum free T4, in those who took ABMJ daily.
Interestingly, serum free T3 declined by 16 percent after 3 months, with no further
decline after another six months.

The exciting part of this recent study was also seeing the conclusion that the aloe vera
juice used was found to be as effective as selenium, which we know (from research
and my own clinical findings) is effective in reducing thyroid antibody levels by as
much as 40 percent.

I recommend supplementing with Rootcology Aloe. You can learn more details
about aloe vera’s uses, benefits, and research here, including how it can help with
gut issues, such as acid reflux and constipation (common issues for many within our
community). This same article also includes important precautions when using aloe
vera.
3. Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa) – Liver Support and
Immune Health
Black Seed Oil (Nigella sativa), commonly known as black cumin, has been touted as
a “cure for anything but death!”. Black seed oil can be used as a spice or condiment,
and has many medicinal properties.
Black seed oil has been used throughout history as a liver tonic, antibacterial agent,
analgesic; and as an appetite stimulant, antihypertensive, galactagogue, diuretic, and
more. It has been studied relating to its many pharmacological actions, including
having anti-cancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator, hepatoprotective
(protective of the liver), gastro-protective, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and
immunomodulatory properties.

The many therapeutic properties of black seed oil are due to one primary bioactive
component called thymoquinone. Research has shown that thymoquinone has four
properties of significant health impact: it has antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-
inflammatory, and anti-cancer (antimutagenic and antitumor) effects. It is also used as
an alternative treatment in a variety of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes
mellitus and hypertension.

As an immune-modulator, many of my clients use Nigella sativa for joint

inflammation; it has been shown to be effective for the management of rheumatoid
arthritis patients.
Additional hypothyroid support seen with black seed oil:
Of particular interest to those having Hashimoto’s are the hepatoprotective (liver
protective) properties of black seed oil.

I have found that most people with Hashimoto’s have liver congestion, and in fact, I
always start out with my Liver Support Protocol when working with new clients.
Food sensitivities and toxins are often the culprit here…did you find any food
sensitivities on your health timeline? Gluten is a big one. Dairy was a huge trigger
for me.
Did you note a time where you were exposed to toxins, perhaps during dental work?
Heavy metal toxicity, as well as simple environmental toxin exposures, can stress our
liver. This is particularly troublesome for people having the MTHFR gene mutation.
Black seed oil has been shown to postpone the progression of chronic liver diseases
and to have protective effects. In one review, black seed oil and its primary active
compound, thymoquinone, were noted to act as an “antidote in different intoxications
induced by natural toxins including mycotoxins and endotoxins.” Additionally, other
chemical toxicities were shown to be prevented by black seed oil, including: some
heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury and aluminum), pesticides, solvents, and
environmental pollutants found in your kitchen (including BPA and DEP). This
review of in vitro and animal studies also concluded that black seed oil could protect
certain tissues against drug overdoses of various analgesics, antibiotics, and other
medications. Note that this review was based on anecdotal evidence only, and
recommended human trials were still necessary to verify the authors’ conclusions.

Additionally, Nigella sativa has antibacterial properties against H. pylori, a common

Hashimoto’s trigger. About four months after the birth of my son, I noticed some
digestive symptoms, a hoarse voice, and hair loss. I tested my thyroid antibodies and
found that they were elevated (despite being in remission before and during
pregnancy). Luckily, I knew a thing or two about reducing thyroid antibodies and
getting Hashimoto’s into remission. 😉 I completed the GI MAP test and found that I
had H. pylori. I wasn’t able to take my usual H. pylori protocol, due to nursing, but
my friend Dr. Maya Shetreat-Klein shared that Nigella sativa can be safely used to
treat H. pylori while nursing (Nigella sativa is also used as a galactagogue, to boost
milk supply). Within a few weeks, my sore throat, hair loss, and digestive troubles
were gone. I stopped the supplement because I ended up with an oversupply of milk,
but further testing showed that the thyroid antibodies were in remission and that
the H. pylori was gone.
Nigella sativa has also been shown to improve thyroid status in both animal and
human studies. In one study, Nigella sativa improved hypothyroid status and
decreased serum TSH levels in rats. In one human study, TSH and thyroid antibody
levels decreased, while T3 concentrations increased after 8 weeks.
Researchers also evaluated the beneficial effects of black cumin seeds alongside
levothyroxine in the management of Hashimoto’s disease-related metabolic
abnormalities. Hashimoto’s is a known risk factor for hyperlipidemia (elevated blood
cholesterol) and diabetes mellitus. The study found that patients benefited from the
lipid-lowering effects of Nigella sativa, and had greater reductions in body weight and
BMI.
I recommend a product called Kiva Organic Black Seed Oil, which is sold in softgel
form. Other forms to try include:
  Capsule
 Powder (seeds)
 Liquid
Precautions when using black seed oil (Nigella sativa):
Talk to your doctor before using black seed oil if you are pregnant, breastfeeding,
have a medical condition (low blood pressure, bleeding disorders, diabetes), or are
currently taking any medications. If you have surgery scheduled, it is recommended to
stop taking black seed oil at least two weeks prior to your surgery date.

Black seed may cause an allergic rash when taken by mouth or applied to the skin.
Before using black cumin essential oil topically, perform a patch test to ensure you
don’t have a negative reaction. Always avoid your eyes and mucous membranes when
using black seed oil. Store oil away from heat and light.

Always consult with your physician prior to taking any new prescription medications
or herbal supplements.

4. Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) – Antiviral, Antitumor

and Immunomodulating
Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) is a fungus that was originally a combination of
caterpillar and fungus/mushroom, but is now often synthetically produced. It is an
adaptogen that has been used by traditional Chinese herbalists for centuries.
Traditional healers recommended it for “all illnesses” as a tonic, because they saw
that it improved energy, stamina, endurance, appetite, libido, and sleeping patterns.
Experiments have shown that cordyceps has several biological attributes, such as
antitumor, antiviral, immune-modulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,
antimicrobial, and hypoglycemic benefits; and sexual and reproductive function
enhancement. It was also found to have antidepressant and anti-fatigue activities, as
well as a protective effect on the kidney and liver. (Different compounds contribute to
different bioactivities.)

Today, I frequently recommend this herbal therapy when a client’s health timeline or
testing points to a viral infection such as the Epstein-Barr Virus. Research has shown
that cordycepin (isolated from cordyceps) has antiviral activity against a number of
viruses including EBV, influenza virus and HIV, among others. This same research
also suggests that cordycepin has antitumor actions against gammaherpesvirus.
Worldwide, one fifth of cancers are associated with viral infections, including
gammaherpesvirus (which includes EBV).

There have been other evaluations of cordyceps that relate to it being

immunosuppressive, such as when used with kidney transplants. One study found that
patients using cordyceps along with the conventional immunosuppressive drug could
use less of the conventional drug, and also showed other positive markers (such as
improved rates of post-transplant lung infections). In this research, cordyceps also
seemed to provide protective effects against the liver and kidney damage that can
occur with the use of the conventional immunosuppressive drug alone.
Additional hypothyroid supportseen with cordyceps:
I often recommend this product, Cordyceps by NOW, to my clients. In my own
clinical practice, I have found cordyceps to be helpful beyond its use as a potent
antiviral. It also provides overall liver, gut, and immune support, and is particularly
helpful for addressing Hashimoto’s suppressive effect on the autoimmune system.
Cordyceps may also have the ability to lower levels of thyroid antibodies while
reducing Hashimoto’s immunoinflammatory process. Studies using a drug derived
from cordyceps called Corbrin Capsule, have shown improvements in the
autoimmune condition, as well as lowered levels of thyroid antibodies. These positive
results applied to both Graves’ as well as Hashimoto’s patients who used Corbrin
Capsule along with conventional thyroid hormone replacement medications.

Cordyceps has another interesting connection to Hashimoto’s as well. Cordyceps is

rich in selenium, and we know that selenium supplementation has been shown to
reduce thyroid antibody levels.
Precautions when using cordyceps:
Cordyceps should not be taken by pregnant or lactating women. People with existing
autoimmune diseases (including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus)
should consult with their physician, as cordyceps can stimulate the immune system or
interfere with medications. Cordyceps can also interfere with blood clotting;
discontinue cordyceps at least two weeks prior to any scheduled surgery.

Taking cordyceps along with cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) might decrease its
effectiveness. Cordyceps might decrease the effectiveness of medications that
decrease the immune system response, including: azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab
(Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-
CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506,
Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids
(glucocorticoids), and others.

As always, consult with your physician prior to taking any new prescription
medications or herbal supplements.

5. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) – Broad Spectrum Gut

Support and Anti-inflammatory
Years ago, I suffered from stomach pain, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
and significant acid reflux. I also had hair loss, carpal tunnel, fatigue and brain
fog. It took a lot of research and guinea pigging activities (what I called my root cause
trial and error interventions years ago) before I realized that all of these seemingly
unrelated issues had to do with a common root cause, intestinal permeability (“leaky
gut”).
Later, I also learned that having gut permeability issues is one of three requirements
for having an autoimmune condition in the first place (the other two requirements
being genetic predisposition and one or more triggers). Since that “aha” moment, in
my clinical experience, I have found that about 80 percent of people with
Hashimoto’s will have one or more gut infections, with close to 100 percent of people
having some degree of dysbiosis (an imbalance of the gut bacteria within the gut) or
“leaky gut”.

The good news is that there are many lifestyle interventions that can address gut
imbalances, as well as whole body inflammation. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is one
herbal therapy that can be very helpful in both of these areas.
Curcumin, the most studied active ingredient in turmeric, has been shown to have
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral activity, all of which can
provide benefits to those suffering from Hashimoto’s-related symptoms.
It is great for detoxifying various metals and toxins, too. Years ago, I found out I had
arsenic poisoning, and I used curcumin to successfully detoxify my body and prevent
long-term damage. A 2014 study showed that curcumin reduced the hepatotoxicity
(liver toxicity) induced by arsenic, along with many other metals including copper,
cadmium, lead, mercury and chromium.

A lot of my clients find they have heavy metal toxicity issues; the mercury in dental
amalgams can often be the culprit.
Research relating to curcumin’s anti-inflammatory actions has found it to reduce joint
inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, as just one example. It has also been found to
reduce inflammatory effects in several gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable
bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis.

Additional hypothyroid support seen with turmeric:

Along with helping to heal the gut and reduce overall inflammation in the body,
turmeric has been found to specifically support the thyroid gland against toxic effects.
In one study, sodium fluoride was found to negatively affect the function and
structure of the thyroid gland, while curcumin was found to be protective against
these effects. Clearly, my own experience with arsenic also proved curcumin’s
effectiveness.

Curcumin has also been found to inhibit the growth of thyroid cancer cells in in vitro
studies.

I recommend the Rootcology product, Curcumin Absorb for overall detox support,
heavy metal detoxes, and reducing inflammation. You can learn more about turmeric
(curcumin) in this article; you’ll also find two of my favorite turmeric recipes there
(and you’ll learn why it is important to combine curcumin with piperine, an alkaloid
found in common pepper, to get those great anti-inflammatory effects in your
cooking!).
Important Considerations When Using Herbal
Therapies
I encourage each of you to put on your root cause detective hat and complete your
health timeline as a start. It is so helpful and empowering when you identify your own
unique root causes. The great thing is, once you do, you can feel better and better as
you tackle each one (sometimes fairly quickly, too).
Ask your practitioner about my list of favorite herbs to see if one or more might be
applicable to you. All of my recommendations for herbal supplements have been
made with quality, purity and sustainability in mind. Supplements that you take
should always be free of common triggers, such as gluten, dairy and additives that
may impair nutrient absorption or worsen your thyroid symptoms.

Remember that even though herbs are “natural” products, there can be side-effects
depending on your medical status. Your practitioner can best assess whether
underlying medical conditions or potential drug interactions might mean a particular
herb isn’t right for you.

Let me know how my favorite herbs work for you! Join me on Facebook and
consider sharing your favorite herbal teas, recipes and results.
P.S. To help you on your journey, you can download a free Thyroid Diet Guide, 10
thyroid-friendly recipes, and the Nutrient Depletions and Digestion chapter of
my Hashimoto’s Root Cause book for free by signing up for my weekly newsletter.
You will also receive occasional updates about new research, resources, giveaways,
and helpful information.

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