Goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland, which is located in your neck. But the presence of a goiter does not mean that your thyroid is malfunctioning. A goiter can happen in a gland that produces too little hormone (hypothyroidism) or too much hormone (hyperthyroidism). When someone has a goiter, then it is an indication that something is wrong, and it is causing the thyroid gland to grow abnormally.
The main cause of goiter is iodine deficiency. 90% of cases are due to iodine deficiency. Also, there are other possible causes for goiter, such as adverse drug reactions, pregnancy, thyroid cancer, nodules, inflammation of the thyroid, Hashimoto’s disease, and Grave’s disease. Every single person can develop a goiter, but people who have a family history of this disease have the highest risk. Women who are going through menopause or who are older than 40 are also more prone to develop goiter [1].
Radiation exposure can also trigger this condition. You should know that not all goiters cause symptoms. When symptoms occur, then they include a tight feeling in the throat, hoarseness in the voice, coughing, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and noticeable swelling in the neck. There are some studies which are shown that many goiters are disappearing with treatment which can vary depending on the condition and size of the goiter as well as the symptoms associated with it.
Before you use some of the below-mentioned home remedies for goiter, you need to talk with your doctor if they are suitable for you. Also, talk with your doctor about the diagnosis of your condition. You should use these home remedies just as an adjunct treatment.
12 Home remedies for goiter
Contents
Garlic
You can use garlic as your natural treatment for goiter. It can stimulate the production of glutathione in the body which is very important for healthy thyroid functioning [2,3]. Also, this can help to reduce the swelling in the neck.
You should chew 3 – 4 raw garlic cloves every day in the morning. Also, you can add garlic to your dishes. If you do not like the taste of garlic, you should take garlic supplements. You need to talk with your doctor about the proper dosage.
Kanchanar
This plant is botanically known as Bauhinia variegate. It is a popular Ayurvedic remedy for nodules, goiter, and other types of growth on the neck. Also, it can detoxify the lymphatic system.
You should boil ten to fifteen grams of powdered bark of this herb in 2/3 cup (160 ml) of water over medium heat. You should turn off the heat when this home remedy reduces to about 40 ml or a quarter of the original amount. You should strain this home remedy and drink it once or twice per day, thirty minutes before your meals. You should continue this natural treatment for 2 to 3 months.
You need to consult your doctor before you start taking this home remedy.
Dandelion
In the Ayurveda was known that dandelion leaves can decrease the swelling of the neck and give relief from the discomfort that is associated with goiter. You should take 2 – 3 dandelion leaves and smear them with clarified butter on one side.
You should warm the leaves gently, and you should put them onto the goiter. You should secure it with a tape or bandage and let it stay there for a few hours.
Also, there is another option, and that is to crush a handful of dandelion leaves to make a paste. You should add 2 teaspoons of clarified butter into the paste and mix these ingredients well. You should gently heat this mixture and then apply it to the affected area. Let it stay there for fifteen minutes. You can use some of both home remedies once or twice a day for a period of 2 weeks.
Watercress
This is one of the best sources of iodine, and this is a reason why it is considered a very effective home remedy for goiter. Also, it is high in other nutrients and minerals like germanium, sulfur, and antioxidants, which are very beneficial for the thyroid gland.
You should grind a handful of watercress to make a paste. Apply this paste to your neck where you have swelling. You should let it stay there for fifteen to twenty minutes. You should do this natural treatment once per day for a period of ten days.
Also, you can mix 2 tablespoons of watercress juice in half a glass of water. You should drink this natural cure three times per day for a period of 6 weeks. [4]
Kelp
This is a kind of seaweed. It can be used as a natural treatment for goiter. It is rich in iodine which can help to normalize thyroid functioning. Also, it has iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
You can easily find pickled or dried kelp in Asian markets and natural food stores. Kelp is salty in taste. You can use it as salt in salad, soup, and other dishes. You can add 1 – 2 tablespoons of dried kelp powder to any of your favorite smoothies, and you should have it once per day. Also, you can take kelp in capsule form but talk with your doctor before you start taking it. [5]
Iodine
One of the most common causes of goiter is iodine deficiency. If you want to treat the goiter in a natural way, then you should eat a diet that has adequate iodine. The recommended dose for adults is 150 microorganisms on a daily basis.
You should include foods that are rich in iodine, such as cranberries, baked potato with the skin, navy beans, cow’s milk, natural yogurt, turkey, shrimp, eggs, tuna, cod fish, seafood, kale, and iodized salt.
Also, there are some cases when the goiter can be caused by excessive iodine. You need to talk with your doctor before you increase your iodine intake. [3]
Green tea
There are many herbalists who recommend drinking green tea on a daily basis as a natural treatment for goiter. This home remedy is full of antioxidants, and it has a high amount of natural fluoride, which can help to support healthy thyroid functioning. Also, when you drink green tea on a daily basis, it can help to prevent goiter.
You should put one teaspoon of green tea leaves in one cup and pour hot water over them. You should cover it and steep it for 5 minutes. Strain and add some honey and mix well. You should drink this tea at least 3 times per day. [6]
Sorrel leaves
Sorrel leaves are rich in minerals such as iodine which makes them a very effective home remedy for the treatment and prevention of goiter.
You should make a paste of a handful of sorrel leaves. You should mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil into the paste. You should lie down and apply this paste to the swollen neck area. You should let it stay there for thirty minutes and then rinse it off using warm water. You should follow this home treatment once per day until the swelling is gone.
Selenium–rich foods
Our thyroid gland needs selenium to function optimally. When you have a selenium deficiency, then it can make your thyroid heavy and worsen your condition. It is very important to eat foods that are rich in selenium on a daily basis. These foods can help in the production of thyroid hormone and treat the goiter.
Some foods that are rich in selenium are fatty fish, eggs, poultry, meats, oats, brown rice, barley, wheat germ, mushrooms, tuna, salmon, onions, crab, shellfish, sunflower seeds, Brazil Nuts, liver, and kidney. [3,6]
Lemon balm tea
This is also a very effective home remedy for goiter and hyperthyroidism. It can slow the functioning of the pituitary gland, and it can lower the levels of TSH (thyroid–stimulating hormone), which in turn can help to treat as well as prevent goiter. It is rich in selenium, and it can help to regulate thyroid functioning as well as increase antioxidant levels. You should put 2 tablespoons of dried lemon balm or 3 teaspoons of fresh lemon balm in a cup.
Pour hot water into the cup, cover it and steep for ten minutes. You should strain it and mix in 1 or 2 teaspoons of honey. You should drink this herbal tea 3 times per day. People who suffer from glaucoma should not use lemon balm as their natural treatment for goiter. [7]
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is mildly acidic, and it can help to restore the pH balance in the body. It can detoxify your body, and this can indirectly help to increase iodine absorption and reduce thyroid swelling.
You should mix ½ teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with one glass of warm water, and you should drink this home remedy on an empty stomach. You should do this natural treatment every day in the morning.
Castor oil
You should massage the neck area with a few drops of castor oil. Let this oil on your neck overnight. You should repeat this natural treatment every night before you go to bed.
References:
[1] Gietka-Czernel M. The thyroid gland in postmenopausal women: physiology and diseases. Menopause Review: Przeglad Menopauzalny. 2017;16(2):33-37.
[2] Tavakoli P, Ahmadi R, Amin N. The protective effects of garlic on thyroid
function in amphetamine receiving rats. International Journal of Advances in Chemical Engineering & Biological Sciences (IJACEBS). 2015;2(1):43-45.
[3] Sharma R, Bharti S, Hari Kumar KVS. Diet and thyroid – myths and facts. Journal of Medical Nutrition & Nutraceuticals. 2014;3(2):60-65.
[4] Mailer CM, Harrison MT, Wayne EJ. Absorption of iodine from ingested watercress. Nature. 1964;201:403-404.
[5] Clark CD, Bassett B, Burge MR. Effects of kelp supplementation on thyroid function in euthyroid subjects. Endocrine Practice. 2003;9(5):363-9.
[6] Bajaj JK, Salwan P, Salwan S. Various possible toxicants involved in thyroid dysfunction: A review. Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research. 2016;10(1):FE01-FE03.
[7] Miraj S, Rafieian-Kopaei, Kiani S. Melissa officinalis L: A review study with an antioxidant prospective. Journal of Evidence-based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 2017;22(3):385-394.
