Thyroid Problems: Kelp Is on Its Way

Best Single Herb: Kelp

Best Combinations: Kelp, Irish moss, parsley, hops, capsicum; dulse; watercress

Other Helpful Supplements: Chelated minerals; zinc; manganese

Possible Causes: Radiation damage; glandular imbalance

Complementary Help: Do thyroid exercises; balance the hormones; eat iodine-rich salads; limit distilled water intake

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the throat area that straddles your windpipe. This gland is responsible for many functions, including the regulation of your metabolism. Your metabolism is your body’s rate of speed, and it regulates your hair, skin, nail, and other body tissue growth, as well as governing weight and fat distribution. In addition, your metabolism is intricately linked to your hormone production balance. Therefore, if the thyroid is not working well, you can have a host of problems.

About overcoming an ailment with herbs

After being faced with taking the synthetic thyroid hormone known as Synthroid, my clients who have had poor thyroid activity have tried a combination of kelp, Irish moss, parsley, hops, and capsicum instead. This literally changed their thyroid’s hormone production, and they have not needed the synthetic drug.

For help with an underactive thyroid, I strongly recommend kelp. Kelp (Fucus vesiculosis) is a seaweed plant that contains a substance called algin (for more on algin). The algin in kelp has been extracted and used to pull radioactive substances and other harmful toxins from the body; the thyroid is particularly sensitive to radioactivity.

About overcoming an ailment with herbs

Kelp is a sea plant and benefits the oceans by soaking in water and filtering it. Much like a clam, its role is to help clean the water. So, when you take kelp to feed your thyroid, you want to make sure it is harvested from non-toxic waters. Make sure that the herb company you buy from has a strict quality control department to screen out potentially toxic kelp.

As a salt water plant, kelp contains a rich amount of iodine (did you ever hear of iodized salt?). The thyroid contains a small amount of iodine, and the natural iodine in kelp can nourish your thyroid gland and help it to function properly. The symptoms of thyroid imbalance vary, so see your doctor to get your thyroid tested before supplementing with herbs. Too much kelp could over-stimulate the thyroid, especially if your thyroid is functioning properly.

Terms related to herbs or holistic health

Chelated minerals are minerals that are bound to proteins for better absorption in the body. A target chelated mineral is one that is bound to a specific ammo acid geared toward a particular body organ when it is ingested.

Kelp has been recorded to have anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-tumor, diuretic, and expectorant qualities. It also has been used in the baths of those who are trying to rid their body of cellulite. I like to purchase kelp in bulk and fill up the salt shaker with it instead of table salt. As a nutritive herb, kelp is very salty to taste; when my visitors ask for salt, they are getting this nourishing herb instead (and they don’t seem to notice the difference!).

Irish moss, dulse, and watercress are all other plants that contain many of the same nutrients and properties of kelp, and these can be just as nourishing to your thyroid.

Here are some other things you can do to protect your thyroid:

• Eat an iodine-rich salad at least a couple times per week, including raw asparagus tips, cabbage, avocado, leaf lettuce (not head lettuce), green onions, sweet green peppers, and whipped and goat cheese. Add salmon for more iodine, if you are a fish eater.
• Keep your hormones balanced. All the endocrine glands work together to maintain balance, so have your other glands checked for any problems.
• Limit radiation exposure. (See the “Radiation Poisoning”)
• Limit drinking distilled water, which can leech minerals from your body.
• Find a chelated mineral supplement (sometimes referred to as target minerals) targeted for your thyroid.

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