Home Remedies For Goiter

 

Goiter is characterized by swelling of the thyroid gland. Though this condition may appear to be a frightening illness, you can easily treat it with the right combination of medical care and home remedies.

The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland present in the lower front of the neck. This gland is responsible for secreting thyroid hormones, which maintain our body’s metabolism. Insufficiency or excess of thyroid hormones leads to malfunctioning of the thyroid gland.

 

What Is Goiter?

 

Goiter is a medical condition that is characterized by swelling of the thyroid gland. This may happen due to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid glands), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid glands), or euthyroidism (normal thyroid functioning). In simpler words, the lack of and also the excess of thyroid hormone can cause the gland to swell up. It is usually not a painful disease but brings along many other symptoms that can disrupt the normal functioning of your body.

 

Medical intervention is the most sought-after method for goiter treatment. But, with the use of simple home remedies, you can alleviate the symptoms and assist the prescribed medicines to treat the problem faster.

 

 

Iodine is one of the most important minerals to make thyroid hormones. The gland cannot make enough thyroid hormones if it does not get enough iodine from diet. Hence, iodine deficiency is the primary cause of developing goiter.

Some of the other causes of goiter are as follows:

 

    Autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s diseases and Graves’ disease, wherein the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid hormone production

    Genetic defects

    Injury or any infection to thyroid glands

    Radiation therapy for cancer

    Certain medications

    Benigni tumors or thyroid cancer

 

Who Are At Risk Of Goiter?

 

    Women over the age of 40

    Family history of autoimmune disease

    People with low iodine in diet

 

Goiter Symptoms

 

If you notice the following symptoms, it is quite possible that you have goiter:

 

    Coughing for no reason

    Having a constricted feeling in the throat

    Hoarseness of voice

    Discomfort or pain while swallowing

    Mood swings

    Difficulty in swallowing

    Visible swelling at the base of your neck

    Unexplained weight loss or weight gain

    Difficulty in breathing

    Puffy face

 

The majority of these symptoms are also associated with other health conditions. Do not assume you have goiter without getting a confirmed diagnosis from your doctor.

 

If you are diagnosed with goiter, surgery or drugs are not the only solution. You can try several home remedies to reduce the size of the thyroid gland and get relief from the symptoms. These, as mentioned, work best if used in conjunction with the prescribed medicines.

Home Remedies For Goiter

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

 

Ingredients

 

    1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

    1/2 teaspoon honey

    A glass of warm water

 

 

Mix the honey and vinegar with water and drink the mixture, preferably on an empty stomach.

Do this every day in the morning.

Apple cider vinegar is mildly acidic and restores the pH balance in the body . It detoxifies the body, and this indirectly helps to increase iodine absorption and reduce the thyroid swelling.

 

2. Castor Oil

 

Ingredients

 

A few drops of castor oil

 

    Massage the neck area with the oil gently.

    Leave the oil on overnight.

Repeat this every night before going to bed.

Castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling in the thyroid gland . It detoxifies the liver and helps in conversion of T4 to active T3.

 

3. Coconut Oil

 

Virgin coconut oil contains high levels of lauric acid, a medium-chain triglyceride, which is converted into monolaurin, and has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties as well as improves metabolism . You can add it to your hot drinks, smoothies, and use it as a salad dressing as well as cooking.

 

 

4. Bentonite Clay

 

Ingredients

 

    2-3 tablespoons bentonite clay

    Water

    Make a paste by adding enough water to the clay powder and mix well.

    Apply this paste on the neck and let it dry.

    Wash it off with plain water.

Apply this clay mask once in every 2-3 days and observe the changes in the swelling.

It is a natural clay that helps to cleanse the body of toxin build-up and has effective antimicrobial properties.

 

5. Seaweed

 

Ingredients

A handful of seaweed

Boil a handful of seaweed to make a salad. Add dressing as per your choice.

Include it once or twice a week in your meal.

 

Seaweed is a good source of iodine that helps to produce thyroid hormones. Seaweed also contains tyrosine, a supportive amino acid that aids the production of thyroid hormones.

 

6. Dandelion Leaves

 

Ingredients

    A handful of dandelion leaves

    1 tablespoon clarified butter (ghee)

    Water

    Grind the leaves with some water to make a paste.

    Add the ghee to this and heat the mixture for a few minutes until it becomes lukewarm.

    Apply this on the neck and keep it on for 15-20 minutes.

    Rinse it off.

Do this every day for a week or two.

Dandelion leaves have antioxidant properties and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. Hence, this paste can reduce the swelling of the thyroid gland and relieve the associated symptoms.

 

7. Juice Recipes

(a) Lemon Juice

Lemon juice for goiter

Ingredients

    1 tablespoon lemon juice

    1 clove garlic

    1 teaspoon honey

    Crush the garlic and mix it with the lemon juice and honey.

    Drink this in the morning.

Do this every day in the morning, preferably on an empty stomach.

Both lemon and garlic contain anti-inflammatory compounds. This remedy also helps to remove any toxins that have accumulated in the body due to infections by eliminating the microbes with their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

 

 (b) Pineapple Juice

 

Ingredients

    4-5 pineapple pieces

    1 medium-sized carrot

    2 tomatoes

    Blend everything to get a smooth juice. You can add some water.

Drink a glass of this pineapple blend every day.

Pineapple ingestion can improve the hormonal thyroid status and reduce the size of the goiter.

 

8. Ashwagandha

 

Ingredients

 

    2 tablespoons ashwagandha bark powder

    160 ml water

    Add the Ashwagandha bark powder to water and boil this until the concoction reduces to 40% of its original volume.

    Strain and divide the concoction.

    Drink one portion early in the morning, before breakfast, and in the evening.

    You can also add this powder to milk or smoothies.

Do this every day for a week or two.

Ashwagandha is a powerful Ayurvedic herb that helps to boost the functioning of the thyroid gland. It increases the production of T3 and T4 hormones. Normally, chronic stress increases the levels of cortisol, which impairs proper functioning of thyroid hormones. Ashwagandha powder fights this stress to stimulate endocrine secretions.

 

9. Moringa (Malunggay)

 

Ingredients

    1 tablespoon dried moringa leaves

    A cup of hot water

 

    Steep the leaves in hot water for a few minutes.

    Strain and drink.

Drink moringa tea once every day.

Moringa leaves can help regulate the production of thyroid hormones. This herbal tea has an earthy taste and is very refreshing for the body.

 

10. Turmeric

 

Ingredients

    1/2 cup turmeric powder

    1 cup water

    1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper powder

    70 ml cold pressed olive oil or coconut oil

    Heat the water in a pan and add turmeric powder to it.

    Cook on low heat for 5-10 minutes until you get a thick paste.

    Add the black pepper and oil and stir well.

    Remove from the flame and store in an airtight container.

    Have a teaspoon of this paste.

 

Note: This golden paste can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.

Repeat this twice a day.

Turmeric is a potent spice that not only adds color and flavor to food but also possesses multiple beneficial properties that improve health. Studies have found that turmeric could be useful in goiter treatment.

 

11. Flax seeds

 

Ingredients

    2-3 tablespoons flaxseeds

    Water

    Grind the flaxseeds and make a paste with a little bit of water.

    Apply this paste on your neck and let it stand for 20-25 minutes.

    Wash and pat the area dry.

Do this once every day until the swelling goes away.

Flax seeds contain alpha-linolenic acid, which forms resolvins that have anti-inflammatory properties. These properties may help reduce swelling.

Caution: Do not consume flax seeds without consulting your doctor as they may have a contrary effect.

 

 

12. Neck Exercise

 

Stretching exercises for the neck are also known to aid in the treatment of goiter. These exercises can help stretch the muscles that are connected to the thyroid gland and reduce the swelling.

    Upward Neck Stretch– Sit on a chair and lift your chin towards the ceiling. Stretch the neck as much as possible and then stay in that position for a few seconds. Repeat this exercise 10-12 times.

    Sideways Neck Stretch– Slowly bend your neck to the side so that the ear touches your shoulder. Stretch as much as possible and then repeat on the other side. Do 10 repetitions on each side.

Note: Do not exert yourself when trying to do these neck exercises. Stretch as much as you can without causing any discomfort to yourself. If you experience any pain or discomfort, stop the exercise immediately.

 

13. Garlic

 

Ingredients

3-4 garlic cloves

Chew garlic cloves as they are in the morning. If you feel that they are too pungent, crush the cloves and add some honey to them before ingesting.

Do this every morning.

Garlic stimulates the production of glutathione in the body as it contains selenium, which is required for the healthy functioning of the thyroid.

You can also mix crushed garlic with lemon juice and warm water. Drink it every morning.

 

14. Lemon Balm Tea

 

Ingredients

    2 tablespoons dried lemon balm (or 2 teaspoons fresh lemon balm)

    A cup of hot water

    Honey

    Pour the hot water over the herb and let the tea steep for a few minutes. Make sure to keep the lid on while making the tea as it will prevent the aromatic oils of the balm from escaping with the steam.

    Strain the decoction and add honey to taste.

    Sip on this warm herbal tea.

Be sure to keep the lid on while making the tea, as it will prevent the aromatic oils of the balm from escaping with the steam.

Drink 2-3 cups of this herbal tea every day until the goiter symptoms are gone.

Lemon balm is an effective stress management booster. It reduces psychological stress, which is the most common reason for developing thyroid disorders.

 

 

15. Nuts

 

Ingredients

A handful of nuts

Soak a handful of nuts overnight or munch on them as it is.

Have a handful of nuts either as a wake-up snack or in between meals.

Nuts are not only rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids but also exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. Among all nuts, Brazil nuts are the richest sources of selenium. Selenium acts as a stimulating factor in the conversion of T4 hormone to the most active form – T3 hormone.

 

16. Fish Oil

 

Ingredients

Fish oil supplement either in capsule form or in liquid form

Take a teaspoon of fish oil every day.

Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help to metabolize thyroid hormone in liver.

 

 

17. Motherwort

 

Motherwort for goiter

Ingredients

    1/2-1 teaspoon motherwort herb

    1/2 teaspoon honey

    A cup of hot water

    Brew motherwort tea and add honey for taste.   

Drink motherwort tea twice a day for best results.

Many people experience palpitations and fast heartbeat due to hyperthyroidism. These symptoms of goiter can be alleviated with motherwort.

 

While these home remedies for goiter will help, you should ensure that you use them in conjunction with the medications prescribed by your doctor. Also, make it a point to be extremely careful about your diet. You should be looking to eat foods rich in iodine and selenium, while eating limited quantities of goitrogenici foods. And don’t forget the neck exercises!

 

Thank you for reading our Health tips;

Source:https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/effective-home-remedies-for-goiter/