Herbs for Thyroid

Thyroid Function

Vitex agnus-castus

Vitex agnus-castus “chasteberry” “Monks’ pepper” Part used: berries

Vitex agnus-castus Family: Verbenaceae Habitat: Mediterranean regions; not at all endangered Uses: Hormone regulator; acts on anterior pituitary

Vitex agnus-castus Constituents Flavonoids: castican, orientin, isovitexin Iridoid glycosides: agnuside (the reference constituent for standardization), aucubin volatile oil (0.8-1.6%): terpenoids (cineole, sabinene, limonene, camphene), - and -pinene ketosteroids: androstenedione, possibly progesterone and testosterone analogs

Vitex agnus-castus Dosing Toxicity: None reported in past 2000 years of use Dosing Infusion: 1/2 - 1 tsp (5-10 g) berries per cup. 1 cup TID or once per AM. Tincture (1:5 35%): 3-10 ml per day in AM Capsules: 1-2 capsules per day in AM Dr. Dipasquale uses drop doses for energetic effect

Fucus vesiculosis

Fucus vesiculosis Part used: fronds Proper harvest: 3-4 foot haircut. It will grow back in one season.

Kelp Harvesting

Kelp Harvesting

Fucus vesiculosis Family: Fucaceae Habitat: Rocky ocean shores; temperate climates Uses: Nutritive support for thyroid, especially if hypothyroid. General metabolic support for weight loss and energy. “Kelp” refers to hundreds of species in the Laminariales and Fucales orders.

Fucus vesiculosis Constituents & Actions: Phenolic compounds, including fucoidan lowering LDL cholesterol, lowering blood glucose, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antibacterial, anti-HIV Mucopolysaccharides, including alginic acid dietary fiber, GI antiinflammatory (Gaviscon™), inhibits HIV in vitro, lowers LDL cholesterol in animals, widely used in food and pharmaceuticals as a thickener and gelling agent Trace metals, particularly iodine Essential trace metal for all animals and plants, anti-goiter, thyrosupportive, anti-cancer (breast & gastric), immune modulating

Fucus vesiculosis Dosing: Powder: 1 tsp TID along with at least 8 oz of water each time Capsules: 5 to 10 grams in capsules TID Tincture 1:5 @ 25%: 2-3 mls TID Infusion = Soup

Leonurus cardiaca

Leonurus cardiaca Common name: Motherwort Family: Lamiaceae Part used: Herba, especially flowering tops Grows like a weed in any soil Constituents: Stachydrine & leonurine (alkaloids) Actions: Cardioprotective, cardioregulating, antianginal, relaxant, nervine, antispasmodic, antihypertensive, (also a mild uterine stimulant and tonic, and emmenagogue) Indications: Heart palpitations, anxiousness, arhythmia, hyperthyroid (also amenorrhea and threatened miscarriage, however empirical data recommends against taking it while pregnant)

Leonurus cardiaca Dosing Infusion: 2 tsp./cup water; 1 cup BID Tincture: 1:5 @ 45%; 4-6 ml TID Fluid extract: 1:1 @ 25%; 2-3 ml TID Capsules: 250 mg/cap; 1-2 cap TID My Favorite – Ginger-infused Leonurus syrup. DELICIOUS.

Lycopus virginicus Name: Bugleweed Family: Lamiaceae Habitat: North American native with semi-aggressive running root systems. Weedy, re-seedy.

Lycopus virginicus Constituents: Phenolic acid derivatives (caffeic, rosmarinic, chlorogenic, ellagic) Lithospermic acid Medicinal actions: Sedative, astringent, anti-tussive, peripheral vasoconstrictor, anti-hyperthyroid

Lycopus virginicus Dosing: Tincture: 1:5 @ 35%, 5 ml TID Infusion: 1 tsp./ cup; infuse 20 minutes; 1 cup TID (note: tincture is far more effective than infusion) Safety: Contraindicated with hypothyroid conditions, pregnancy, lactation. There have been no reports of toxicity.

Lithospermum ruderale Name: Stone seed, gromwell Family: Boraginaceae Habitat: Open hillsides from eastern Washington to northern California Part used: Arial parts and seeds

Lithospermum ruderale Constituents & actions: Lithospermum acid anti-gonadotropic properties blocks production of FSH, LH, and TSH blocks thyroid secretion Naphthoquinone derivative (shikonin) antimicrobial Phenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic and ellagic acids) antioxidant, antimicrobial

Lithospermum ruderale Dosing: Infusion: 1 tsp./cup water; 1 cup/day for contraception; 1 cup TID for hyperthyroidism and other estrogen and progesterone imbalances. Tincture 1:5 @ 45%: 1-5 ml TID

Lithospermum ruderale Safety No reports of toxicity, however it can really throw hormone balance off if used long term Case reports of permanently lowered sperm count Useful for conception, but contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation

Case 1 A 39 year old woman comes to see you after having spent the night/early morning in the emergency room. She woke up at 2:45 am with intense heart palpitations and anxiousness. A full cardiac workup ruled out heart attack. She was sent home with a prescription for Atenolol (a beta-blocker).

Case 1 She works as a Spanish interpreter and is a full time student in Library Sciences. She spends an average of 7 hours per day on the computer. She has a 9 year old son and is divorced. She admits to eating several “Canadian butter tarts” the evening preceding her anxiety attack. (butter, raisins, maple syrup, sugar)

Case 1 Physical exam reveals Blood pressure 118/60, HR 74bpm Right pupil is dilated more than left, and both are equally responsive to light. The right pupil can only hold a reflex contraction for a fraction of a second. Thyroid is “boggy”, or diffusely enlarged with no palpable nodules.