The thyroid is a vital gland that performs several important functions in the body. Ayurvedic Medicine for Thyroid can act as alternative for better well-being. It secretes various hormones in the body that plays an important role in the regulation of several metabolic processes, growth, mood, sexual function, etc. in the body. When the gland and its metabolic functions are adversely impacted, then it gives rise to thyroid disorders. In this article, we will learn more about thyroid and how Ayurveda can be helpful in the cure of this disorder.
Ayurveda and Thyroid disorders
Ayurveda takes into consideration the underlying root cause of the problem before devising a mechanism to treat the disease. A lot of focus is paid on the diet of the person as it is the major factor responsible for the occurrence of any disease. According to Ayurveda, there are a few foods that can initiate the secretion of thyroid hormones in the body. These foods need to be avoided. This includes meat, selected dairy products, salt, and alcohol. (3)
Ayurveda believes that any disorder that takes place within the body is due to an imbalance in the main tree energies in the body. These include Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. So, in case of malfunctioning of the thyroid gland, it can be due to disturbance in these energies in the body. This imbalance in energies is called doshas in Ayurveda.
Based on the imbalances of three Ayurveda energies, it can be either Kapha dosha, Vata dosha, or pitta dosha in the body – Rasa and Medha Dhatu, and Sweda mala. It has been found that aggravated Pitta leads to the metabolic activities of the thyroid gland.
The treatment process involves selecting the specific function or the organ based on the problem. On the basis of determining the place or performance of the occurrence of a dosha imbalance, it can lead to Kapha sthana, shoth (swelling), Pandu (anemia), grahani (irritable bowel syndrome), etc.
Ayurveda Nidaan believes that the impaired thyroid land in the form of Hypothyroidism is seen as guruta (heaviness), chardi(vomit), tandra, skin becoming pale, collapsing, dizziness, fatigue, shallow breathing, harshness of voice.
Symptoms of Vataj pandu (Thyroid in Ayurveda)
Dryness, shivering, fever, prickling pain, redness of the skin, dryness of mouth, reduced hunger, constipation, Kaphaja shota or Kapha-induced swelling, heaviness, heavy sleep, steady, and swelling.
Vataj shoth includes dry and pain full skin, Kosta gata Vata, constipation, pinas, arsha, gulma, Kaphaja grahani, daurbalya, chardi, Hrullas, Kasa, arochak, medhavrutta Vata, and heavy pain.
Ama Vata includes Angamarda, aruchi, trushna, alasya, heaviness in the body, jwar, apachan, swelling, pain in joints and swelling, agnimandya, kastaartav, hridgraha, and constipation.
Thyroid in Ayurveda
The major reasons responsible for thyroid disorder are changes in lifestyle, mental, and physical stress. In thyroid pitta, Vata, and Kapha dusti occurs. Ayurvedic Medicine For Thyroid can help you in getting relief from many these doshas.
Pittaj pandu (Pitta dosha) treatment
Ayurvedic Medicine for Thyroid: Daha, jwar, ajirna, trushna, Pittaja grahani, jwara, amlougdar, hrid kant dah, amayukta mala, aruchi, thirst, etc.
Treatment of Hypothyroid in Ayurveda
The right food habits and lifestyle is important to correct abnormalities in the working of the thyroid gland. Here are a few suggestions to treat Hypothyroid.
- Avoid heavy liquids and foods.
- The reason for agnimandya or sluggish digestion and ajirna needs to be avoided.
- Rasadhatu pachan must be performed.
- Leckhan chikitsa for medha is effective in the treatment of Hypothyroid.
- Swedan should be given.
- Panchakarma therapy, such as vaman, Basti, head massage, virechan, Nasya, Shirodhara, udvartanam, are beneficial.
- Herbal drugs should also be given as a part of the treatment. These include Varunadi kashaya, kanchanar guggul, punarnavadi kashaya, Musta, manasmitra, saraswatha grutha, Triphala guggul, punarnvadi guggul, and bruhat vat Chintamani. (4)
Diet Prescribed in Ayurveda for hypothyroid
To Eat
- Include iodized salt in the diet
- Garlic, trikatu, onion, moringa, kullatha, yava, and kakamachi are beneficial for Hypothyroidism.
- Use Coconut in preparation of dishes.
To Avoid
- Old rice, Moong dal, Barley, heavy food, curd, and Bengal gram, and excess of non-vegetarian food should be avoided
- Also, avoid sleeping in the day time
Treatment of Hyperthyroidism In Ayurveda
Ayurvedic Medicine for Thyroid: Vidaryadi Kashaya, praval pisti, kalyanak gritham, drakshadi Kashaya, ksirabala tailam, mahatiktaka gritham
Diet Prescribed in Ayurveda for hyperthyroid
To Eat
Old ghee, sweets, mugda, Barley, milk products, sweet food, and sugarcane.
To Avoid
Citrus products, excess salty, spicy, and sour food, smoking, and alcohol.
Yoga To Treat Thyroid Disorders
In addition to Ayurvedic Medicine For Thyroid, yoga also plays a critical role in the maintenance of the functioning of thyroid land. Yoga helps to keep the gland in the equilibrium state. There are a few effective yoga exercises that you should include in your daily lifestyle. When you do these practices regularly, you will start to see improvements in the functioning of your thyroid gland in less time.
- Ujjani pranayama
- Sarvanga asana
- Ujjani works on the throat region and as a stimulating and relaxing impact on the thyroid gland.
- Nadi shodhan pranayama is effective to balance metabolism
Importance of Thyroid gland
A healthy functioning Thyroid gland controls the brain, muscles, heart, digestive function, etc. in the body. It releases three main types of thyroid hormone in the body. These are T3, T4, and Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). (1)
Some of the critical functions performed by the thyroid gland include:
- neural development and differentiation
- regulation of the formation of bones
- myocardial contractility
- regulation the functioning of the brain
- growth and performance of the brown and white adipose tissues
- metabolism and synthesis of cholesterol
- regulation of reproductive organs
Functions of Thyroid hormones
The thyroid hormone plays a significant role in the differentiation, metabolism, and growth of a person. It is also vital for the optimal performance of almost all key tissues in the body. These hormones have a key impact on the oxygen consumption and metabolic rate of the person. This gland produces two biologically active thyroid hormones that include T3 and T4 in the body. (2)
Individual functions of Thyroid hormones:
T3 thyroid hormone:
A major portion of this hormone gets converted to the T4 hormone in the body. It is responsible for impacting all phycological processes in the body that comprises of development and growth, body temperature, muscle control, brain development and function, metabolism, heart rate, metabolic rate, digestive functions, maintenance of bones and more.
T4 thyroid hormone:
This is another major hormone produced by the thyroid gland in the body. The primary function of this gland is to boost the consumption of oxygen as well as metabolism in the body. The right levels of T4 hormone help in the metabolism of tissues and cells in the body.
TSH thyroid hormone:
It is a pituitary hormone that boosts the thyroid gland to produce more amount of T4 thyroid hormone in the body. This hormone is responsible for stimulating the working of almost all tissues present in the body. It also regulates the secretion of hormones released by the thyroid gland in the body.
Due to this significant action, thyroid hormones are very important for the optimal functioning and survival of the human body.
Types of Thyroid disorders
The level of thyroid hormone can increase or decrease due to various reasons in the body. This gives rise to two types of conditions, such as Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism. Let us see what these disorders are and how to identify them.
Hypothyroidism
This type of disorder occurs when your thyroid gland becomes underactive. It is unable to produce adequate amounts of hormones in the body. The condition can disrupt things that include heart rate, the temperature of the body, and metabolism. The condition is generally noticed in women of older age. The signs of this disease are hard to notice at the initial phases of the development of this issue. There are a few symptoms experienced in Hypothyroidism that can help you identify this condition:
- fatigue,
- unexplained weight gain,
- nominal sweating,
- sensitivity to cold,
- dry skin,
- depression,
- body pain,
- puffiness of the face,
- digestive issues like constipation,
- the roughness of voice,
- recurrent and persistent infection,
- sluggishness of body functions
- irregular menstruation cycle
- muscle stiffness, and weakness
When the condition isn’t treated on time, then it may lead to several complications. Some of them include nerve injury, heart issues, infertility and acute cases, death of the person too. Fortunately, Ayurvedic Medicine For Thyroid has a cure for the disorder.
There are several specialized Ayurvedic Medicine For Thyroid herbs that can help in stimulating the thyroid gland such that it helps in the regulation of its functions. If you are suffering from Hypothyroidism, then refer below to learn about the Ayurveda treatment for this condition.Being regular with Ayurvedic Medicine For Thyroid can help in this condition.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is exactly the opposite of Hypothyroidism. In this condition, the thyroid gland becomes overactive. This implies that in the medical condition, the body begins to produce more amounts of thyroid hormones in the body. The levels of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones increases, and the levels of TSH reduces in the body.
This excess production of thyroid hormone creates an imbalance in the overall levels of thyroid hormone. This leads to different types of discomforts in the body. It can speed up the metabolic activities in the body. This can, in turn, lead to sudden weight loss, and a quick and irregular heartbeat
There are a few symptoms experienced in Hypothyroidism that can help you identify this condition:
- fever,
- problems in sleeping
- brittle air
- increased appetite
- unexplained weight loss,
- excessive sweating,
- sensitivity to heat,
- racing heart,
- anxiety,
- restlessness,
- hand tremors,
- excessive fatigue
- digestive issues like constipation,
- irritability,
- shallow respiration
- nervousness
- heart palpitation
- frequent bowel moments
- menstrual disturbances
When the condition is left untreated, then it may lead to serious complications. Some of them being issues relayed to bones, heart, fertility, menstrual cycle. If you are pregnant and suffer from this condition, then the condition can cause the development of health issues in the mother as well as the baby. Ayurveda can successfully treat this disorder.
There are many specialized Ayurveda herbs that are proven to calm the overactive the thyroid gland so that it secretes permissible amounts of thyroid hormone in the body. If you are suffering from Hyperthyroidism, then refer below to learn about the Ayurveda treatment for this condition.
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