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Botanical Medicine for Thyroid Regulation

2006; Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.; Volume: 12; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1089/act.2006.12.107

1557-9085

Eric Yarnell, Kathy Abascal,

Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants

Various herbal medicines show enormous promise when it comes to hyperthyroid conditions. Of particular note are bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus), gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus), water horehound (Lycopus lucidus or Lycopus americanus), gromwell (Lithospermum ruderale), and European gromwell (Lithospermum officinale). Lemonbalm (Melissa officinalis) also shows promise in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and sage (Salvia officinalis) should be investigated, given their similarities to lemon balm. Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus), a brown algae, occupies a unique place in therapy in that the herb is used for treating both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, although the seaweed’s effects are poorly understood. Other herbs—often used for treating hypothyroidism, such as gotu kola (Centella asiatica), coleus or forskohlii (Plectranthus barbatus, also known as Coleus forskohlii), guggul (Commiphora mukul), and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)—have varying degrees of preclinical research support but are less clearly effective in practice.