A combination of carefully selected essential oils together with effective aromatherapy techniques can be extremely effective for treating an under-active thyroid. We've selected the top 5 oils for treating an under-active thyroid
What are the symptoms of an under-active thyroid?
When your thyroid is under-active, symptoms can include:
- fatigue and tiredness
- sensitivity to the cold
- physical and mental slowness
- dry skin and hair
- low mood and depression
- fertility problems
(For more information about the symptoms of an under active thyroid, you can refer to Elizabeth Richards article Understanding Slow or Underactive Thyroid.) If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, you are not alone. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), up to one and a half billion of us are at risk from developing an under-active thyroid.
The top 5 oils for an under-active thyroid
The following essential oils may help with the symptoms of an under-active thyroid:
- Black Pepper: Piper nigrum is stimulating and warming for those freezing cold hands and feet, myalgia & muscle cramps. It’s also a great digestive stimulant and fantastic for constipation. Great for stimulating the mind, it is very effective for promoting alertness and concentration as well as stamina and strength. Black pepper will help you keep your wits about you.
- Grapefruit: Citrus paradisi is an effective antidepressant with a superb balancing effect on the emotions. Not only uplifting and reviving, it is excellent for congested skin, promoting hair growth and relieving muscle fatigue. Its ability to promote kidney function helps your body to rid itself of toxins, too. The fresh, citrus, sweet aroma is a joyful inclusion to any blend or inhalation.
- Coriander: Coriandrum sativum can help to sharpen your senses and boost your immune system. Warming and stimulating like black pepper, it can also help with muscular cramps and myalgia as well as constipation and a sluggish digestion. This oil is fabulous for uplifting and refreshing your mind and very effective in cases of lethargy.
- Thyme: Thymus vulgaris stimulates the body’s production of white blood cells that boost the immune system. A powerful nerve tonic, Thyme will lift you out of exhaustion and fortify your mind. A very good lymphatic stimulant, it can help ease swelling, and because it is invigorating, it is excellent for constipation and a sluggish digestion. It may also help bring back that glossy mane of hair. A great essential oil for reviving the spirit.
- Geranium: Pelargonium graveolens stimulates the adrenal cortex that governs the balance of hormones secreted by other organs, including the male and female sex hormones. This oil is your hormones’ best friend. As a result it is very balancing on both the body and the mind. Geranium is excellent for stress, tension, depression and anxiety as well as being a strong lymphatic stimulant and immune boosting.
How do aromatherapy and essential oils work?
Aromatherapy works in two ways:
- Essential oils can provide relief for the physical symptoms described above
- Essential oils and aromatherapy can help to create a positive state of mind and relieve stress
The way essential oils work in the body and on the brain is somewhat amazing and happens via two routes: inhalation and essential oil absorption. Essential oils connect directly to the limbic system (the emotional brain that houses emotional feelings, sexual feelings, memory and learning) via the olfactory bulb at the top of the nose, which is an extension of the brain. The other route is via the bloodstream: once circulating, they are able to get into the brain through the blood-brain barrier, which keeps many things out (apart from alcohol and many drugs).
First things first
Any of the above symptoms could be caused by other factors, therefore avoid self-diagnosis. Correct diagnosis of hypothyroidism is the first step. You’ll need a physical examination and blood tests, following which your doctor will prescribe a treatment for you. If you’d like to explore alternative therapies to help with the uncomfortable symptoms, get permission from your doctor.
Following consent from your doctor, a qualified aromatherapist will put together a bespoke treatment plan for you following a case history. By taking into account your emotional and physical symptoms as well as your case history, aromatherapy treats you as a person rather than just addressing your under-active thyroid.
Aromatherapy is a subtle art of healing and works best within an overall treatment strategy that includes nutrition, exercise, meditation and correct breathing. It is therefore wise to engage a specialist in these areas to ensure you embark on a fully integrated treatment plan.
The top 5 oils for an under-active thyroid
The following essential oils may help with an under-active thyroid:
- Black Pepper: Piper nigrum is stimulating and warming for those freezing cold hands and feet, myalgia & muscle cramps. It’s also a great digestive stimulant and fantastic for constipation. Great for stimulating the mind, it is very effective for promoting alertness and concentration as well as stamina and strength. Black pepper will help you keep your wits about you.
- Grapefruit: Citrus paradisi is an effective antidepressant with a superb balancing effect on the emotions. Not only uplifting and reviving, it is excellent for congested skin, promoting hair growth and relieving muscle fatigue. Its ability to promote kidney function helps your body to rid itself of toxins, too. The fresh, citrus, sweet aroma is a joyful inclusion to any blend or inhalation.
- Coriander: Coriandrum sativum can help to sharpen your senses and boost your immune system. Warming and stimulating like black pepper, it can also help with muscular cramps and myalgia as well as constipation and a sluggish digestion. This oil is fabulous for uplifting and refreshing your mind and very effective in cases of lethargy.
- Thyme: Thymus vulgaris stimulates the body’s production of white blood cells that boost the immune system. A powerful nerve tonic, Thyme will lift you out of exhaustion and fortify your mind. A very good lymphatic stimulant, it can help ease swelling, and because it is invigorating, it is excellent for constipation and a sluggish digestion. It may also help bring back that glossy mane of hair. A great essential oil for reviving the spirit.
- Geranium: Pelargonium graveolens stimulates the adrenal cortex that governs the balance of hormones secreted by other organs, including the male and female sex hormones. This oil is your hormones’ best friend. As a result it is very balancing on both the body and the mind. Geranium is excellent for stress, tension, depression and anxiety as well as being a strong lymphatic stimulant and immune boosting.
Top 5 oils for an under-active thyroid
These 5 essential oils are effective in relieving symptoms of an underactive thyroid that can be physically and mentally debilitating. They are a powerful way to fortify your body and soothe your mind and emotions. As more and more people use alternative medicines as part of a holistic approach to their health and wellbeing, essential oils are becoming more widely known for their gentle yet effective healing properties.
Sources
Battaglia, Salvatore, 2004 The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy 2nd Edition, Perfect Potion
Grant, Suzi, 2006, Alternative Ageing, Michael Joseph Ltd, London
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Stephanie Holland - Stephanie graduated with a BCom in Business from Edinburgh University, Scotland in 1999. She has held variety of roles in the media ...
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