Chinese Herbs for Thyroid Health

Thyroid diseases are the secondary symptoms of deeper imbalances. When the thyroid gland is under supplied with energy, it cannot work properly. This is true of most endocrine (glandular) problems.

Herbs for Hypothyroid and Graves Disease

Hyperthyroid, graves disease and some thyroid cancers are caused primarily by an undersupply of yin. YIN are fluids that cool the heat produced by your body’s metabolism (activity). This is called deficiency heat. Though it cannot be measured on a thermometer, like any other kind of heat, it can agitate the body, triggering a constellation of different symptoms. When the YIN is insufficient to cool this heat, symptoms such as hot flashes, tidal fevers, restlessness, and hyperthyroid can occur.

Herbs for Hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s Complex

Hypothyroid, Hashimoto’s complex, and some goiters result when the YANG is deficient. YANG refers to your body’s metabolism, its movement, its activity, its fire. When yang is low, you are lethargic, cold, circulation is poor, and glands tend to be underproductive.

Herbs and acupuncture can both be useful in restoring this yin/yang harmony to the body. For those who do not have recourse to professional help, the following herbal formulas and herbal products have been selected because they are safe for general use.

YIN DEFICIENCY RESULTING IN HYPERTHYROID

The following general formula has been used for hyperthyroid
GUI BAN – turtle shell
HAI ZAO – seaweed
KUN BU – alga
ZHI MU – anamarenna root
ZHI ZI – gardenia seed
XUAN SHEN – scrophularia
DA ZAO – Chinese dates
MU LI – oyster shell

YANG DEFICIENCY RESULTING IN HYPOTHYROID

The following formula has been used for hypothyroid

HAI ZAO – seaweed or
KUN BU – algae plus
SHU DI HUANG – cooked rehmannia root
SHAN ZHU YU – cornus fruit
SHAN YAO – yam root
FU ZI – prepared aconite root
ROU GUI – cinnamon bark
ZE XIE – water plantain rhizome
FU LING – poria cocos
MU DAN PI – tree peony bark
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BENIGN THYROID TUMORS and NECK NODULES

KUN BU – algae
HAI DAI – laminaria
ZHI BEI MU – fritillaria thunbergi bulb
BAN XIA – pinellia tuber
JIE GENG – balloon flower root
CHUAN XIONG – liguisticum
QING PI – unripe citus peel
CHEN PI – citrus peel
LIAN QIAO – forsythia fruit

TCM Product for Neck Nodules

NEI XIAO LUO LI WAN

Acupuncture for Thyroid Diseases

Chinese acupuncturists trained in traditional Chinese medicine consider thyroid problems symptomatic of deeper imbalances, usually kidney deficiencies. 

Hyperthyroid disorders, for example, are caused primarily by an undersupply of yin fluids which balance the heat produced by your body's metabolism. This is called kidney YIN deficiency. It can agitate the body, triggering symptoms such as hot flashes, tidal fevers, restlessness, and hyperthyroid.

Hypothyroid and some goiters result when the kidney yang is deficient. When kidney yang is low, you are lethargic, cold, circulation is poor, and glands tend to be under productive.

Herbs and acupuncture can both be useful in restoring this yin/yang harmony to the body.

Commonly Used Acupuncture Points Include:
Neck points near the thyroid gland -
Large Intestine 4 on the hand between the thumb and forefinger
. San Jiao 3-6 on the outside of the forearm
Conception Vessel 22 at the base of the throat.

Information on this site is provided for educational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or another medical professional. We make no claim as to efficacy or safety of herbs or herbal medicine appearing on this site. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.