Ayurvedic Medicine is healing! A Shutterstock Licensed Image

The word Ayurveda is Sanskrit, based on two words, Ayur, which means “life” and Veda, which refers to knowledge. Also known as “Ayurvedic Medicine,” this ancient medical science can be traced to around 6000 BCE. It was most likely the ancient masters, in the lineage of Babaji, who were the original teachers of Ayurveda’s soul-expanding and holistic healing methods.

Ayurveda is based on the premise that wellness depends on the balance and peacefulness of mind, heart, body, and spirit. By focusing on promoting wholeness and health (instead of fighting disease), Ayurvedic medicine is known to reinvigorate muscles, bones, cells, and souls through a variety of healing herbs and modalities. It is often called “The Mother Of All Healing.”

The History of Ayurveda

Compared to today’s western medicine, Ayurveda is over 6000 years its senior. Both spiritual and practical, Ayurvedic medicine was originally an oral tradition that was taught by masters from a variety of disciplines. The goal of Ayurveda is to bring the patient into harmony with the divine aspects of the Self and the Universe.

The inception of Ayurveda is unknown, yet many believe that it was born in The Vedas, and originally composed in Sanskrit. These ancient Indian writings were considered to be “Apaureseya” or “not of man; eternal, superhuman, and without authorship.” The four primary Veda collections include Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda.

Ayurvedic medicine was first promoted in the United States in the early 1970s, most likely by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi organization of Transcendental Meditation. It was eventually popularized by notable healers and doctors, including Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. Andrew Weil, Robert Svoboda, Nancy Lonsdorf, John Douillard, and Dr. Jay Apte. While some of these luminaries have taught Ayurveda for more than 30 years, there are many highly qualified Ayurvedic counselors and practitioners in the United States and throughout the world.

Today, in addition to local, state, and regional organizations, practitioners can join The National Ayurvedic Medical Association, which seeks to “preserve, protect, promote and advance the consciousness-based philosophy, knowledge, science, and practice of Ayurveda for the benefit of all beings.”

Ayurveda’s Three Doshas

When Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe healing herbs and modalities, they base their prognoses and treatments on an individual’s doshas or doshic makeup. There are three doshas, Vāta, Pitta, and Kapha, each of which refers to specific sets of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual attributes. An individual may have one or any combination of these doshas. When our doshas are in alignment, we experience good health. When our doshas are out of balance, we might experience discomfort, pain, or disease.

Vāta Dosha contains the elements of ether and air. Vata is responsible for our vitality, energy, flow, movement, nerves, breath, speech, levels of anxiety, circulation, and digestion. Vata-dominant people are active, excitable, sometimes anxious, enthusiastic, creative, clever, and open to new adventures. If you’re Vata, you might have problems sleeping, feel nervous regularly, and occasionally forget to eat. You might one day develop arthritis, and in the meantime, tend to be the life of the party.

Pitta Dosha contains fire and water. Pitta is responsible for our hormones, hunger, intelligence, attitudes, and organizational abilities. If you’re Pitta-dominant, you might be clear of mind and heart, competitive, practical, organized, a lover of teaching, and tend to feel immediately rejuvenated when spending time outdoors. You might even feel fits of anger or rage, most notably when you haven’t eaten protein in a while. If you forget to relax, you might develop sleeping disorders. The order of the day for Pitta-folks is to relax, keep your environment cooler versus hotter, and avoid extremes, especially when exercising.

Kapha Dosha is the embodiment of earth and water. Given these grounded elements, Kapha-folks tend to be heavy, slow, dense, sturdy, and lovers of routine. Kaphas are generally lovable, playful, and patient. If you’re Kapha and you’re having a bad week or month, you might eat or sleep too much, hold grudges, feel depressed for long periods, and gain too much weight. You also might develop diabetes. Regardless of the physical challenges that Kapha people tend to have, they gravitate toward a grounded life and financial abundance.

Ayurveda’s Eight Canonical Components

Ayurveda treatises divide medicine into eight components, first found in the ancient Sanskrit epic, “The Mahābhārata.” They are as follows:

Kāyachikitsā: the basis for all general medicine focused on the human body

Kaumāra-bhṛtya (Pediatrics): this component is focused on prenatal and postnatal care of the mother and her children, contraception methods, allowing the emergence of a child’s gender, intelligence, and constitution, childhood diseases, and birthing processes

Śalyatantra: this is where we learn about surgery, medical technological advancements, extraction methods for objects and ideologies that cause the body and soul to feel imbalanced

Śhālākyatantra: treatments that heal problems associated with the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and throat

Bhūtavidyā: modalities designed to soothe and extract negative and possessing spirits, and the healing of people with broken minds and spirits, either resulting from soul-possession or other challenges

Agadatantra/Vishagara-vairodh Tantra: refers to the toxins and antidotes in the categories of epidemics, poisoned animals, and the bacterial and viral infections found in animals, vegetables, and minerals

Rasāyantantra: the study of body/mind/soul rejuvenation and the tonics, supplements, and modalities that increase lifespan, intellect, emotional expression, heart-expansion, and physical strength

Vājīkaraṇatantra: this category is focused on the supplements, herbs, aphrodisiacs, modalities and other treatments that increase vitality, sexual wholeness, sexual healing, reproduction, conception, and the health of semen, eggs, and sex organs; it also addresses fertility, infertility, and spiritual development related to the transmutation of sexual energy into spiritual energy

Best Ayurvedic herbs for health and longevity

Here is a shortlist of some of the most popular, healing Ayurvedic (Indian) herbs and spices:

Amalaki: reduces inflammation, alleviates pain, detoxifies organs, sharpens memory, and protects against the development and spread of cancer

Ashwagandha: reduces blood sugar levels, improves cardiovascular and immune health, reduces stress and anxiety, reduces depression, supports both testosterone and fertility, increases muscle strength, supports the nervous and endocrine systems

Triphala: powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, protects against cancer and chronic diseases, reduces constipation, improves dental health, helpful for weight loss

Guggal (Guggalu): anti-inflammatory, can act as a steroid, neuroprotective, antioxidant, lowers cholesterol, relieves arthritis pain, acne treatment, weight loss, reduces eye inflammation, improves the activity of thyroid enzymes, protective of the kidneys, liver, brain, and heart

Neem: treats eye, nose and stomach disorders, leprosy and skin ulcers, cardiovascular disease, fever, diabetes, and liver problems

Boswellia (Frankincense): anti-inflammatory, improves joint and musculoskeletal health, reduces the effects of osteoarthritis and asthma, reduces pain and discomfort associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD and IBS)

Ginger: helps digestion, reduces nausea, menstrual pain, and morning sickness, improves digestion, helps the body heal during the flu or cold, acts as an anti-inflammatory, lowers blood sugars, improves heart health, reduces muscle pain and soreness, helps to prevent cancer, reduces cholesterol, improves brain function, fights infections

Brahmi: full of antioxidants, strengthens the immune system, reduces stress and anxiety, reduces symptoms of Alzheimer’s, improves intelligence and IQ, helpful to people with arthritis, regulates blood sugar, helpful in healing dandruff and rejuvenating the scalp, helpful to the brain

Gotu Kola: longevity herb, improves cognition and memory, reduces anxiety and depression, improves circulation, reduces joint pain, expedites the healing of wounds, helpful to the liver and kidneys

Mulethi (Licorice Root): improves the health of respiratory tract, boosts immunity and digestion, anti-inflammatory, eases menopausal symptoms

Turmeric (Curcumin): anti-inflammatory, improves heart health, improves body’s response to cancer and arthritis, may prevent or delay diabetes and Alzheimer’s, can act as an antidepressant, reduces free radicals and eye degeneration

Cardamom: antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, lowers blood pressure and blood sugar levels, fights cancer and chronic diseases, reduces digestive problems and ulcers, helps to prevent cavities, improves breathing, improves liver health, reduces anxiety, has positive effects toward weight loss

Cumin: antiviral, antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, regulates digestion, lowers cholesterol, relieves fatigue and anxiety, improves brain functionality including memory, reduces chances of diabetes, fights colds and flu, helpful toward weight loss

Manjistha: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, boosts the immune system and skin health, lymph cleanser, supports liver

Arjuna: anti-fungal, heals damage from free radicals, anti-inflammatory, reduces high blood pressure and blood sugar levels, boosts energy and physical stamina, antioxidant, helpful to the heart, heals the damage caused by smoking, protects liver and kidneys, healing for the stomach, reduces the chance of diarrhea and ulcers

Shatavari: antioxidant, boosts the immune and respiratory systems, a powerful anti-inflammatory, known to relieve incessant cough, may help treat diarrhea, helps to maintain blood sugar levels, helps treat kidney stones, anti-aging properties, helps to reduce the effects of depression, supports healthy female production and hormones, helpful for digestion and milk production

Summary

In addition to the above Ayurvedic Medicine or herbs list and their related benefits, Ayurveda has much to offer! If you are serious about your health, seek the help of an Ayurvedic Practitioner or Counselor, many of whom are also MDs. Meeting with an Ayurvedic counselor or doctor can be an inspiring experience.

When I first met Dr. Lad over 30 years ago, he had just arrived in the United States. We sat comfortably on floor-pillows, and he described exactly how my body functions, and how it would develop and heal over time. Throughout our session, he was able to answer precise and personal questions about my mind, heart, attitudes, beliefs, and future. It was one of the most remarkable experiences of my life.

I wish you a long and healthy life!

Fenugreek Lovely Herbs – A Shutterstock Licensed Image

Fenugreek is a luscious, healing cousin to soy, and its dried leaves, twigs, seeds, and roots are used to heal a variety of conditions, and add delicious spice to several unique dishes.

For thousands of years, this potent medicinal plant has been used by healers and shamans and has been a staple in Chinese medicine. The Fenugreek plant grows to two to three feet and has green leaves and white flowers. Along its thin stems and branches, you’ll find golden pods, each of which contains gold and brown seeds.

80% of Fenugreek is produced in India. With its distinct sweet and nutty flavor, it’s common to see Fenugreek leaves added to dishes throughout India, including bread and sandwiches like “Aloo Methi Naan” and Aloo Methi Ka Paratha” (potato fenugreek). You’ll also find Fenugreek in a variety of Aloo Methi entrees.

A typical household spice in Iraq, China, and India, this diverse plant has a variety of benefits.

Fenugreek Benefits

Whether it’s Fenugreek tea benefits, or the benefits of Fenugreek oil or Fenugreek seeks, this earthy supplement packs a lot of value. While not all studies point to success in every category, there is now enough evidence to support most of the following benefit claims successfully.

• Benefits for hair include the promotion of hair growth and stronger hair follicles
• Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections
• Constipation
• Inflammation
• Decreased risk of cancer
• Fenugreek benefits for women include new mothers who found an increase in breast milk production
• Fenugreek benefits for men include increased libido and sexual strength, and improved sexual function
• Increases carb tolerance
• Improves insulin function
• Appetite control and weight loss
• Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• Heartburn, potentially equal to popular antacid medications

Fenugreek Side-effects

While it seems the verdict points to excellent, not everyone is a fan of Fenugreek for everyday usage. Confirmed solely in animal studies, high doses of Fenugreek have caused DNA damage, decreased fertility, neurological problems, and increased chances of miscarriage. Some scientists are alarmed by the trending use of Fenugreek as a dietary and nutritious supplement.

Here are some of the challenges experienced by human adults and children who participated in Fenugreek studies:

• Allergic reaction
• Asthma
• Diarrhea
• Indigestion
• Gas (flatulence)
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Wheezing
• Unusual body odor (children only)
• Loss of consciousness (children only)

Maca (Lepidium meyenii, Peruvian Ginseng)

To many, Maca has super-secret super-powers and is known to improve energy and stamina, enhance sex drive, and improve fertility in both men and women. It’s also been reported that Maca can save relationships and reinvigorate self-esteem.

Well, at least that’s what they say.

Originally cultivated in the harsh climate and high altitude of the Peruvian mountains, it’s often harvested for its powerful root. Maca is considered to be a cruciferous vegetable with famous cousins that include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale.

Given the problematic landscape and unique attributes of Maca, it’s always harvested manually. Farmers tend to extract the nutritious Maca root for production and then spread the leaves to fertilize their fields. They’ll also leave it for their livestock to consume.

Similar to radishes and turnips, Maca has other benefits, making it a unique and beneficial supplement. Maca can be added to salads, smoothies, breakfast cereals like oatmeal and corn flakes, and can be sprinkled into baked goods, home-made energy bars, and many meals.

Maca Benefits

Maca is an adaptogen, which means it helps your body fight stress and improves homeostasis, your internal processes that maintain your stability in response to changes in external conditions. Whether it’s Maca powder benefits or its root powder benefits, many people are finding that Maca is helpful and wholesome.

Here’s what we know right now:

• Maca is nutritious, chock full of helpful nutrients
• Backed by some convincing studies, it seems that Maca boosts sexual performance and function
• Might relieve menopause symptoms, and the mental and emotional highs and lows experienced during menopause
• Improves self-esteem
• Improves energy levels
• Anemia or “tired blood”
• Improves mental clarity, learning, and memory
• Reduces depression and anxiety
• Boosts sports performance and endurance, and enhances muscle mass
• In lotions, it may help protect your skin from sun damage
• May reduce the size of the prostate
• While it was initially believed that Maca provided benefits for men, studies consistently show that Maca offers equal benefits for women

Maca Side-effects

Before adding Maca to your regular diet, it might be best to seek the advice of a nutritional expert. While Maca is a medicine that appears to improve circulation and provide a variety of other benefits, Maca research and mass production is in its infancy.

• Like all cruciferous vegetables, people with Thyroid issues would limit their intake of Maca, as it could have adverse effects
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women might want hold-off on consuming Maca until after the birth and breastfeeding of their children

Mucuna (Mucuna Pruriens, Mucuna pruriens inflorescence)

If you’re looking for a magic pill to help boost your mood, improve your libido, and help you feel better about life, you might explore Mucuna pruriens, the natural herbal supplement used in Ayurvedic medicine.

Mucuna pruriens is a popular, mass-produced legume (a member of the pea family), native to Africa and Asia. Other names for this happy bean include Bengal velvet bean, Florida velvet bean, Mauritius velvet, Cowage, Lacuna Bean, and the Lyon Bean.

It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to treat diseases, including Parkinson’s disease. It’s also been used in Unani or Yūnānī (Greek) medicine (Perso-Arabic system of medicine given to us by the Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen), to heal many diseases and dysfunctions.

Mucuna pruriens is considered an effective, alternative treatment for Parkinson’s because of its high content of L-dopa. This amino acid converts to dopamine, that feel-good chemical that helps us learn to regulate our body movements, process emotions, and create normalized emotional responses. Also interesting is that Mucuna pruriens is one of the only natural sources of L-dopa.

In short, dopamine contributes to being productive, adds to feelings related to pleasure, and can support experiences where the individual feels a sense of satisfaction.

Mucuna Pruriens Benefits

• Effective treatment for Parkinson’s disease
• Reduces feelings of depression
• Increases sperm count and libido
• Improves sexual function
• Reduces menstrual discomfort
• Helps to treat male infertility
• Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Antibacterial
• Anti-diabetic properties
• Antioxidant
• Mucuna pruriens benefits bodybuilding

Mucuna Pruriens Side Effects

While many herbs and plants can be beneficial to human beings, they can also be dangerous for us. In the case of Mucuna pruriens, there is enough evidence to support its value to a variety of conditions, but there are dangers. Be very careful when self-prescribing this powerful supplement, in any form. You’ll be safest when consulting a doctor or nutritional expert.

Here are the potential side effects you’ll want to consider before consuming any size portion of Mucuna pruriens.

• Agitation
• Increases in addictive behavior
• Compulsive gambling
• Over-spending
• Hyper-sexuality (dysfunctional obsession with sexual fantasies)
• Binge eating
• Anger
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Feelings of abdominal bloating
• Vomiting
• Abnormal and spontaneous body movements
• Insomnia
• Excessive dreaming and thinking
• Headache
• Temporary fast heartbeat

Tummies are important Tummy herbs! A Shutterstock Licensed Image

There are many reasons why our stomachs make noise and feel unsettled. When you have a bad case of the stomach grumbling, you might also be suffering from excessive bloating, farting, irritable bowel, or a hyperactive bowel. You might even have a belly murmur that sounds exactly like “borborygmi!”

These symptoms might coincide with feelings of anxiousness, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, and cramps. While it might be temporary, your discomfort could stem from a variety of causes. If you’re asking, “Why is my stomach growling?” or “Why is my stomach always grumpy?” consider these ideas:

• You may have eaten too fast or too much
• Your stomach might not enjoy cold food or ice water (most don’t)
• You may have eaten something that wasn’t cooked properly
• You might be so nervous that your tummy is generating too much acid
• You may have consumed food or water that had bacteria like Salmonella enteritidis or Listeria monocytogenes
• You may have eaten food that had parasites like Giardia
• You might have allergies that resulted in inflammation in your digestive tract
• You may have swallowed overly chlorinated water
• You may have drunk too much alcohol
• The healthy bacteria in your system might be depleted
• You might not be getting enough nutrients in your diet
• Your recent meal may have been too spicy

“When I prayed for success, I forgot to ask for

sound sleep and good digestion.”

— Mason Cooley

When complaining about your gurgling stomach, and the aches and pains throughout your abdomen, it’s important to remain calm and refrain from jumping to conclusions. When searching online for answers, while interesting, the majority of the information you’ll source will not pertain to your specific situation. Even if you chance upon the perfect protocol, one that feels aligned with heart, brain, and each of your chakras, it’s possible you might not have given yourself the correct diagnosis.

Before popping self-prescribed pills and tea-steeping yourself into hysteria with hipster healing regiments, seek the counsel of a professional. In almost all cases, you’ll be safer when you consult with Medical Doctors (MDs), Nurses (RNs), Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs), Chiropractors (DCs), Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine (NDs), and nutritional experts.

While I am not prescribing anything specific in this article, here are some ideas you might consider when researching healing modalities, herbs, and supplements.

Herbs And Foods For Upset Stomachs

A few herbs, supplements, and foods can go a long way when we’re trying to heal our upset stomachs and digestive tracts. While you might feel safe when experimenting with some of these things, it’s best not to try everything at once.

While some of these foods are healing in small amounts, they might be dangerous in larger quantities, and when combined with other items. There’s also a chance you’ll have allergic reactions, so be careful and mindful.

Consider making warm and hot beverages with these herbs and foods:

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Chamomile
• Fennel
• Turmeric
• Calendula
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Mint
• Basil
• Cumin
• Manuka Honey
• Fenugreek
• Marshmallow Root
• Artichoke Leaf Extract
• Warm saltwater

Chinese Antimicrobial And Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

In Chinese medicine, qi (chi) is the life energy that runs through our bodies. This energy is continuously in flux. Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments help to promote, maintain, and heal the flow of the body’s energy. The two opposing sets of attributes within our qi are Yin and Yang. Yin refers to night, dark, cold, feminine, and negative. Yang’s characteristics are day, light, warm, positive, and masculine.

Long before western medicine hit its stride, the Chinese had sourced and tested thousands of healing herbs and remedies. With regard to our bellies and intestines, Chinese Medicine offers profound methodologies for healing inflammation in the gut and extinguishing harmful microbes in the body.

Here is a sampling of some of the more popular Chinese herbs in this category. As with all medicinals, be sure to properly educate yourself, and be judicious with quantities and repetitive usage.

• Huáng Qín (黃芩 Scutellaria baicalensis)
• Huáng Lián (黃連 Coptis chinensis)
• Jīn Yín Hūa (金銀花 Flos Lonicerae)
• Lián Qiào (連翹 Forsythia suspensa)
• Dà Qīn Yè (大青葉 Isatidis Folium)
• Bǎn Lán Gēn (板藍根 Radix Isatidis)
• Zǐ Huā Dì Dīn (紫花地丁 Viola yedoensis)
• Bái Tóu Wēn (白頭翁 Pulsatilla Radix)
• Chuān Xīn Lián (穿心蓮 Andrographis paniculata)
• Yú Xīng Cǎo (魚腥草 Houttuynia cordata)
• Bài Jiàn Cǎo (敗醬草 Patrinia Herba)
• Geng Mi (粳米 Oryzae Semen)
• Shan Zha (山楂 Fructus Crataegi)
• Ji Nei Jin (鸡内金 Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli)
• Mai Ya (麦芽 Fructus Hordei Germinatus)
• Chen Pi (陈皮 Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae)

Ayurvedic Herbs That Can Heal Your Gut

Ayurvedic medicine is over 5000 years old. The word Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit term, Ayur (life), and Veda (knowledge). Ayurvedic medicine is based upon the Three Doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each of these biological concepts refers to tendencies and attributes found throughout our bodies and minds. Your Dosha might be one of the three or a combination of them.

Each Dosha refers to a specific set of mental processes, health blueprints, and overall physical and emotional tendencies. By balancing and healing our Doshic constructs, we become healthier, happier, and more whole.

To be safe, visit with an Ayurvedic Doctor before consuming any of these herbs.

• Triphala
• Shatapushpa
• Shatavari
• Amalaki
• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
• Kapardika Bhasma
• Asafoetida Gum (Hing, F. foetida and F. assa-foetida)
• Yastimadhu (Licorice, Glycyzrrhiza glabra)
• Lavanga (Clove, Syzygium aromaticum)
• Alsarex, Ayucid, Avipatrikar Churna

Over-The-Counter Supplements For Stomach And Bowel Issues

While every stomach and bowel illness has a unique source and required therapy, the following tried-n-true offerings will help heal your belly and improve conditions in your intestines:

• Pepsin
• Alka Seltzer Gold (no aspirin!)
• Probiotics (friendly bacteria)
• Activated Charcoal
• Digestive Enzymes

Parasites, Bacteria, And Food Poisoning

If you’ve ever had a parasite or nasty intestinal bacteria in your gut, you know how debilitating it can be. Western medicine has found it challenging to address these things without prescribing antibiotics. Oftentimes, antibiotics only kill a portion of the little creatures that are nesting in your system. Also, over time, antibiotics can harm our most beneficial bacterias, putting us in even greater jeopardy.

In a balanced regiment, the following supplements can help counter the invasions of harmful parasites and bacteria:

• Monolaurin
• Propolis
• L-Glutamine
• Anise
• Barberry
• Chaparral
• 5-MTHF (Levomefolic acid)
• Slippery Elm
• Rice Bran
• Papain
• DGL (Licorice)
• Berberine
• Black Walnut Seed
• Castor Oil
• Clove Oil
• Peppermint Oil
• Flaxseed Oil
• Goldenseal
• Grapefruit Seed Extract
• Oregano Oil
• Wormwood

Additional Symptoms

Sometimes stomach pain coincides with constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, bloody urine and stool, arm pain, anemia, and discomfort when urinating. If any of these things are prevalent for you, it’s time to see a medical doctor. In situations like these, it’s always best to be cautious.

In all things related to health and life: maintain a positive attitude, be ready to continually release outdated conditions and ideas, and expect the Universe to shower you with blessings. Finally, remember that thousands of miracles happen every day. Your miracle could be next.

You can heal your Thyroid! A Shutterstock Licensed Image.

One of the key drivers and actors behind your emotions and emotional intelligence is your thyroid. Resting below your Adam’s apple, and along the front and sides of your windpipe, the thyroid has two squishy compartments connected by a similarly textured bridge. Shaped like a butterfly, this gentle and vital friend appears to elevate your breath and give flight to your voice.

The thyroid might hold the key to the evolution of your relationships, consciousness, and sense of Self. Even if your thyroid appears to be on her last breath, she is waiting to be healed. While this might take some time, effort, patience, and inward reflection, it’ll be worth it. Your thyroid processes experiences and information akin to your heart. When you love, your thyroid loves. When you breathe, so does this lovely and powerful little organ.

Your thyroid is hyper-aware and connected to the other realms, unlike any of your other glands and organs. It might also be providing you with helpful information on how to live, love, heal and thrive.

As with all things related to your health, seek the help of a doctor, D.O., or nutritionist to help you understand, treat, and heal your body. The thyroid is a particularly complex organ, so as you pursue its healing, be careful, be gentle, and have patience.

How Does The Thyroid Work?

The thyroid gland uses the iodine in your body (sourced from food and supplements) to produce two vital hormones: T3 (Triiodothyronine) and T4 (Thyroxine). Your pituitary gland, nestled in your brain, is the thyroid’s master and the gatekeeper of TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone).

When your pituitary gland releases TSH into your bloodstream, your thyroid excretes hormones. When your pituitary gland detects low thyroid hormone levels, it releases more TSH. When it detects the opposite, it reduces its excretion of TSH. To diagnose thyroid problems, doctors will use blood tests to determine your levels of TSH, T4, T3, and sometimes RT3 (Reverse T3).

Thyroid Disease Dictionary

The thyroid is part of the endocrine system, which produces hormones that fuel many critical bodily functions. It can become damaged through heredity, repeated trauma, drug use, alcoholism, stress, and diet.

Symptoms of a damaged or weak thyroid include:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Feeling cold all the time
• Joint pain and muscle soreness
• Regularly feeling emotional or depressed
• Weight gain
• Slowed heart rate, movement, and speech
• Dry skin
• Heavy menstruation
• High cholesterol
• Anemia
• Loss of libido
• Recurring urinary and respiratory tract infections

There are several types of thyroid conditions and diseases, some of which are more difficult to heal than others.

Hypothyroidism

When the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones (thyroxine) to keep your body in balance, it means the gland is under-active. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, constipation, memory loss, and muscle cramps.

Hyperthyroidism

An overactive thyroid occurs when your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. This condition can cause heat intolerance, increased sweating, insomnia, decreased appetite, rapid heartbeat, irritability, nervousness, dizziness, and anxiety. You’ll see below that there are many natural supplements for Hyperthyroidism.

Grave’s Disease

This condition results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones, which can also cause Hyperthyroidism.

Hashimoto’s Disease

Also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (Hypothyroidism), Hashimoto’s disease causes your immune system to attack your thyroid. This causes it to underperform and then overcompensate, swinging back and forth in pendulum-like fashion. While this and other thyroid conditions tend to affect middle-aged women, they can all occur in anyone at any age.

Western Thyroid Medication

While doctors most often prescribe the drug knowns as synthetic thyroxine, a medication that’s identical to our T4 hormones, there are several ways to nurture and potentially heal your thyroid. The reason T3 is not always prescribed is that T4 will naturally convert to T3. That said, T3 is more potent and more effective than T4.

Levothyroxine (Synthroid): a synthetic version of T4 and the preferred treatment of hypothyroidism.

Liothyronine (Cytomel): a synthetic version of T3 sometimes used in the treatment of hypothyroidism. Some doctors avoid prescribing this because it can cause hormone toxicity and Hyperthyroidism in some cases.

Levothyroxine Alternative: DTE

When your thyroid is not functioning correctly, taking natural, Desiccated Thyroid Extract (DTE) can change your life. For many, they can provide excellent and effective alternatives to Levothyroxine and Liothyronine.

Desiccated thyroid is a thyroid gland extract, usually taken from a cow (bovine) or pig (porcine). Once extracted, DTE is dried and milled into a powder and made in the form of a daily pill at 75, 150, 300mg, and more.

Products in this category to consider include Thyroid-Gold from Natural Thyroid Solutions (my favorite), Armour Thyroid, and Nature Throid. In a U.S. NIH study that compared the effects of DTE and Levothyroxine, the vast majority of patients preferred DTE. Overall, these patients felt better over time and experienced weight loss when compared to the patients who used Levothyroxine.

DTE might also be better for your emotional and psychological well-being, which directly affects relationships, financial well-being, spiritual health, and personal growth.

Thyroid Support Supplements

Taken in moderation, these are the primary supplements found in most thyroid regiments:

• • Selenium
  • Iron (and Tyrosine)
  • Vitamin B
  • Vitamin D
  • Zinc
  • Probiotics
  • Zinc, turmeric, Vitamins B and D (your best thyroid support vitamins), Iron, Selenium, Probiotics
  • For Hashimoto’s only: Magnesium converts the inactive T4 thyroid hormone into the active form of T3, which some people find helpful
  • Ayurvedic herbs for thyroid health: Ashwagandha, Guggul, Pepperin, Bauhinia Purpurea, Kanchanara (Bauhinia variegata, purple mountain ebony), Jatamansi, Brahmi, Shilajit, Gokshura, Punarnava
  • Excellent thyroid supplement brands include Thorne, 1 Body, Pure, MegaFood, and Now. Take your time and research all of the possible supplements that promise to nurture your thyroid back to health.

Remember, the best thyroid supplement is the one that gives you the energy and balance that leads to a peaceful and happy life.

Things to Limit Or Avoid

While some of these things are okay in moderation, be careful around how much you regularly consume.

• Avoid kale, broccoli, spinach, and cabbage
• Limit soy foods like tofu, tempeh, and edamame
• Starchy foods like sweet potatoes
• Limit fruits including peaches, pears, and strawberries
• Limit alcohol, coffee, green tea, and other caffeinated beverages as they can irritate your thyroid
• Millet
• Pine nuts
• Peanuts
• Highly processed foods like hot dogs, chips, desserts, and snacks
• Taking too much selenium and iodine can be harmful
• Anger
• Exaggerated emotional reactions
• Doctors who know little about your thyroid, and who have no interest in learning the latest and most effective methodologies

Food and Modalities to Heal Your Thyroid

While seeking the help of a certified health practitioner is always recommended, here are a few things you might want to add to your life and daily regiment:

• Meditation and deep breathing will increase your vibration, which can have a lasting effect on your brain, heart, and thyroid
• Forgiveness and crying will release stored, toxic energy that could be inhibiting your thyroid
• Essential Oils for thyroid nodules include spearmint, peppermint, myrrh, rose, cedarwood, lavender
• Bach Flower Remedies help reduce anxiety and return people to their natural emotional state.
• N.E.T. Remedies help balance and honor your emotions
• Seaweeds such as kelp, nori, and wakame are rich in iodine
• Salted nuts like Brazil, macadamia, and hazelnuts are abundant in selenium
• Eggs
• Yogurt
• Baked Fish
• Flaxseed
• A forward-thinking, open-minded doctor or D.O. who can fathom and act upon ideas sourced after 1970

Your thyroid is like a little kitten. Love her, massage her, talk to her, and breathe life into her whenever possible. Do the same for all of your organs and you’ll give yourself the best chance at lasting health.