Siddha Medicine for Thyroid
Siddha Medicine provides a holistic approach to managing thyroid disorders by restoring balance in the body’s vital energies. Through a blend of herbal remedies, dietary recommendations, and lifestyle modifications, Siddha practitioners aim to regulate thyroid function naturally. By addressing the root causes of thyroid imbalances, Siddha Medicine offers a comprehensive and personalized approach to supporting thyroid health and overall well-being.
What is Thyroid?
Thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that lies at the base of the neck, just below Adam’s apple. The thyroid gland consists of two major hormones: Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones affect all cells in the body. They help the body use carbohydrates and fats in healthy amounts. Thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are several types of thyroid disorders.
Symptoms of Thyroid
If you have thyroid disease, you can experience symptoms that can be divided into two categories. Those related to having too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) and those related to having too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism).
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include
- Anxiety, irritability, and nervousness
- Trouble sleeping
- Losing weight
- Enlarged thyroid gland
- Muscle weakness or tremors
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Excessive heat sensation
- Vision problems / Eye irritation
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include
- Fatigue
- Excessive body weight
- Forgetfulness
- Heavy and frequent menstruation
- Dry and coarse hair
- Hoarse voice
- Intolerance to cold temperature
Who may have Thyroid?
Thyroid disease can affect anyone. It can be present at birth (typically hypothyroidism) or develop with age (often after menopause in women).
- People may be at a higher risk of developing a thyroid condition if they
- Have a family history of thyroid disease.
- Have a medical condition (these can include pernicious anemia, type 1 DM, pulmonary artery insufficiency, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and Turner syndrome)
- Take a medication that is high in iodine.
- At elderly age (over 60)
- Previously treated for a thyroid disease or cancer (thyroidectomy or radiation).
Causes of Thyroid
Conditions that cause hypothyroidism
- Thyroiditis – inflammation (swelling) of the thyroid gland
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis- an autoimmune condition
- Iodine deficiency – the thyroid uses iodine to produce hormones
- Nonfunctioning thyroid gland
Conditions that cause hyperthyroidism
- Grave’s disease – toxic goiter (produces too much hormones and might be overactive)
- Nodules – toxic multi nodular goiter
- Thyroiditis
- Excessive iodine
If a person has diabetes, they are at a higher risk of developing thyroid disease than people without diabetes.
Treatment for Thyroid in Siddha
In both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, the vitiation of vatha is invariable, along with the vitiation of kapha in hypothyroidism and pitha in hyperthyroidism. So, the treatment of hypothyroidism is kapha vatha pacification, and hyperthyroidism is pitha vatha pacification. It is easier to treat thyroid disease if detected early. Because a healthy diet can be consumed, and nutrients can be provided to the body to pacify the doshas involved. In case of extreme vitiation, detoxification is done. After that, medicines can be given to cure the thyroid issues clinically.
Herbs used in Siddha Medicine for Thyroid
- Amukkura (Withania somnifera) – supports thyroid function by reducing oxidative stress and improving thyroid hormones.
- Karunjeeragam (Black cumin / Nigella sativa) – generally improves thyroid status.
- Dhaniya (Coriander / Coriandrum sativum) – helps in recovery of swelling associated with thyroid disorders.
- Drum stick (Moringa oleifera) – regulates the production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.
- Athimathuram (Licorice / Glycorrhyza glabra) – it assists in protecting the thyroid gland from oxidative damage and helps to lower levels of cortisol (it inhibits the secretion of TSH from the pituitary gland).
Why should you choose Siddha Medicines for Thyroid?
Because Siddha medicines work on treating the root cause of the disease, in modern medicine, one will be required to take medicines for life once diagnosed with thyroid. In Siddha, treatment and management of diet, lifestyle, and herbs can stop the disease from progressing further. Siddha treatment assists with the proper secretion of hormones and, at the same time, encourages the proper absorption of nutrients.
Siddha treatment boosts the immune system and opens the body channels that control healthy metabolism. Yoga and Pranayama, along with Siddha treatment, help to relieve and control stress, which is the major contributor to thyroid dysfunction.
Diet and lifestyle changes for Thyroid Disorder
Along with proper treatment, a healthy diet and lifestyle habits help to overcome thyroid disease.
- Manage stress
- Cut down on gluten and grains
- Avoid raw goitrogenic vegetables (e.g., cauliflower, cabbage)
- Indulge in seafood
- Eat a diet rich in omega-3
- Supplement vitamins A and vitamins D
- Exercise
- Cut down caffeine
Holistic Treatment Plan for Thyroid Disorder
If a person has thyroid disorders, it is essential to consult with a doctor to find the best approach to manage the condition. The doctor can measure the thyroid hormone level, which will help in monitoring the changes over time. Suppose the thyroid hormone levels are too high or low. In that case, the doctor may recommend any medications and also help you develop a holistic treatment plan that includes exercise recommendations and dietary changes.
