According to the American Thyroid Association, women are five to eight times more likely than men to develop thyroid disease; more than 12 percent of women will develop a thyroid disorder during their lifetime.
The thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped organ located in the neck, plays a pivotal role in regulating metabolism, energy levels, and various bodily functions. When this gland malfunctions, it can lead to either fatigue, lethargy, slow digestion (low agni), weight gain, or the opposite: the inability to keep weight on, a raging agni (digestive fire), and overexhaustion from over-activation. The ancient holistic system of Ayurveda has been treating thyroid imbalances for centuries and in my practice with my clients I take a a holistic approach with three main pillars.
Thyroid disorders are primarily categorized into hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is an imabalance of the Kapha dosha (earth and water) and occurs when the thyroid gland produces insufficient hormones, resulting in symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and cold sensitivity. Conversely, hyperthyroidism is a an imbalance of Pitta dosha (fire) and arises from an excess of thyroid hormones, causing symptoms such as weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and anxiety.
Ayurveda’s Perspective
Ayurveda views health as a balance between mind, body, and spirit. According to Ayurvedic principles, imbalances in the body's doshas or the three main energy principles of the body—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha-can lead to various health issues, including thyroid disorders. Treating thyroid problems in Ayurveda involves restoring this balance through self-care and routine lifestyle modifications, herbal remedies, and dietary changes.
Regulating the Nervous System: Stop the fight-flight-freeze
Ayurveda emphasizes the significance of maintaining a daily routine or "dinacharya." This routine involves practices like waking up early, performing cleansing rituals, and engaging in regular exercise, yoga, or pranayama (breathing exercises) to promote overall health and balance the body's energies.
The key here is to HAVE a routine. When you have a thyroid imbalance you have a chronic "fight-flight-freeze" response to the majority of your life's daily functioning. Often times we feel very disregulated and ungrounded when we do not have a routine. Having concrete practices that signal to your body and mind that it is time to wake up, time to eat, time to exercise, time to sleep, e.t.c. is so incredibly comforting to your body. It allows your body to relax into your routine KNOWING it's needs will be lovingly addressed and taken care of. If you don't do this your body starts to stress because it isn't in agreement with the descisions you are making to skip meals, have inconsistent bedtimes or demand it to wake and sleep without warming up or winding down.
Having routine and signaling to your body your daily transitions regulates your nervous system. Another way to do this is to practice abhyanga or self-oil massage. My previous blog has specific instructions on how to do this and what types of oil to use.
Dietary and Herbal Adjustments
Ayurvedic practitioners often prescribe herbal formulations to support thyroid function. Herbs like guggul, ashwagandha, shilajit, and triphala have adaptogenic properties that help regulate thyroid hormones, improve metabolism, and enhance overall well-being. Kaishore Guggulu is especially great for deeply cleansing the toxin build-up around the thyroid, and something as gentle as triphala at night before bed on an empty stomach can help regulate your digestive system (don't forget you get 15% off with ALEXAS-AYURVEDA15).
Dietary Changes
A balanced diet tailored to pacify the aggravated dosha is crucial in Ayurveda. Fill out this form to get my free dosha quiz! Taking care of your digestive fire is of the utmost importance. The understanding goes in Ayurveda that if you cannot digest your food then it doesn't matter what you eat, your body won't be able to break it down to extract any nutrients and most of it will turn into toxins in the body. Doing something simple as drinking digestive teas like CCF (cumin, coriander, fennel) can gently nudge your digestion in the right track.
A disregulated digestion is a stressed digestive system. When you are experiencing hyperthyroidism you need to cool your digestion down and follow a pitta-pacifying diet. Avoid all foods with the pungent taste such as chilies, vegetables like radishes or turnips, alochol, and caffeine, and excess salt. When you are experiencing hypothyroidism you need to follow a kapha-pacifying diet. Avoid heavy foods such as wheat, cow dairy, nuts and nut butters, and too much sweetness. In general, avoiding processed foods, refined sugars, and caffeine can help tremendously in maintaining thyroid health.
Mind-Body Practices
Stress is often linked to thyroid imbalances. Stress in thyroid imbalances comes from this flight-fight-freeze response that has been a chronic response to your life functioning for years. Where does this come from? Unprocessed emotions -- especially around the throat chakra -- not expressing yourself, not speaking your truth, not telling others what you need or want, or not speaking your feelings when you need to. Ayurveda emphasizes stress management through practices like meditation, mindfulness, and adequate sleep to promote mental peace and hormonal balance. But deeper practices such as daily journaling, somatic or talk therapy, and building confidence around saying out loud what you need and how you feel will start to heal this imbalance in this sensitive area.
Conclusion
It's essential to consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner (like me!) before beginning any treatment regimen. They assess an individual's constitution (prakriti) and imbalances (vikriti) to tailor a personalized plan, considering factors like age, severity of the condition, and overall health.
Ayurveda provides a holistic approach to managing thyroid disorders by addressing the root cause through lifestyle modifications, herbal remedies, dietary changes, and stress management techniques. Its emphasis on balancing the body, mind, and spirit aligns with the goal of promoting overall well-being.