Whilst many medical herbalists patient list includes many patients with under-active thyroids or adrenals, sometimes a patient turns up with either the clinical diagnosis of hyperthyroidism or Graves' disease, or the combination of symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, weight loss, thin skin, tremors, weakness, hair loss, poor concentration, thirst, diarrhoea, etc even the classic bulging eyes, for these patients our hands often inch towards Lycopus virginicus or Bugleweed.
This bitter yet cooling mint related herb has been shown to reduce the pituitary originated hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) as well as peripheral iodine metabolism (iodine is needed for thyroxine formation, thyroxine being the principle (though mainly as the forerunner to triiodothyronine which whilst having one less iodine molecule, is the actual timekeeping hormone of the body), so the combined effect of less usable iodine and a reduction in the brains message for the thyroid to produce more thyroxine, results in a gentle reduction in both thyroxine and triiodothyronine, followed by the life altering symptoms.
Usually used with other hypothyroid herbs like Melissa officinalis, or along with relaxing nervines like Avena sativa, Passiflora incarnata or Leonurus cardiaca; Lycopus is often used at a lower dosage to relax less a less complicated picture of palpitations, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, nervous cough and tummy, tachycardia, asthma or panic attacks.
Dosage: Again I'm not saying for whilst not poisonous, playing around with your own hormones especially the one which controls your basic cellular speed of life is a little daft, if concerned about a little anxiety or sleeplessness then there are much simpler herbs to alleviate these issues. If you have a actual hyperthyroid diagnosis or the above list describes you, contact me or another medical herbalist.
Cautions: Really needs to be used by trained medical herbalists (to rule out mistaken hypothyroidism), if unsure about who is advising you ask to see their qualifications and any professional authority (if any) they belong to (such as the CPP or NiMH), if unsure leave and take your health and money somewhere else.
Also these pages are not to aid in serious self diagnosis (nothing on the internet is) if concerned about any feeling of illness or discomfort, please contact your GP, dial 111 or visit your nearest medical herbalist (visit www.theccp.uk for the nearest).
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