Replied by Lucky (Sb, NJ USA) on 04/16/2009

The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke

"If you have symptoms of Graves' disease, see a doctor and take the prescribed medication. Do not attempt self-treatment, even though it worked for the young woman whose story began this chapter. In addition to following your doctor's advice, and with his permission, you might also try these herbs.

Bugleweed (Lycopus, various species). Bugleweed has a considerable folk history for treating thyroid conditions, and modern research supports this use. This herb inhibits iodine metabolism and reduces the amount of hormone that's produced by thyroid cells.

Leaf extracts are more active than root extracts. The recommended oral preparation is a tincture (alcohol extract) rather than a tea. In one study using laboratory animals, bugleweed tincture resulted in a significant decrease in thyroid hormone levels.

Bugleweed is widely used in Europe as an herbal treatment for early-stage Graves' disease, often in combination with lemon balm. However, I must caution that bugleweed--and other herbal treatments for Graves' disease--have mild effects and are best used in early stages of the condition or in addition to synthetic pharmaceuticals.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). In Europe, lemon balm, also known as melissa, is often recommended along with bugleweed for treating Graves' disease. Studies show that lemon balm causes a decrease in blood and pituitary levels of TSH after a single injection, thus reducing thyroid hormone production. It's not clear if lemon balm has a similar effect when taken orally, but I believe the chances are good. It's probably worth a try.

Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris). A quarter-pound serving of self-heal greens with bugleweed tubers, spiced up with basil, oregano, rosemary and spearmint, should contain significant quantities of the compound rosmarinic acid, which helps suppress thyroid hormone production.

Kelp (Laminaria, various species). Herbal pharmacologist Daniel Mowrey, Ph.D., author of The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine and Herbal Tonic Therapies, notes that among the Japanese who consume a great deal of kelp, thyroid disease is practically unknown, but among the Japanese who have become Westernized and eat little or no kelp, thyroid disease is on the rise

You can buy powdered kelp in health food stores to sprinkle on your food as a seasoning.

Gravestea

To make a tasty mixed herb tea that combats Graves' disease, combine two teaspoons of lemon balm with one teaspoon of bugleweed and then add mint, rosemary, self-heal and verbena to taste. I think drinking this tea regularly just might help.

Verbena (Verbena, various species). Often called vervain, verbena seems to have properties similar to those of self-heal. Extracts have been shown to suppress thyroid hormone production by influencing levels of TSH in the body.

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea). Remember how George Bush hated broccoli? His aversion to that wonderful vegetable deprived him of something that might have helped treat his Graves' disease. broccoli contains naturally occurring substances called isothiocyanates, which help restrain the thyroid from producing too much hormone. When Bush was diagnosed with Graves' disease, several alternative health authorities urged him to eat broccoli. One even published a book titled Why George Should Eat broccoli.

Radish (Raphanus sativus). All of the cruciferous vegetables gently and naturally suppress thyroid hormone production, but radishes do it best, according to medical anthropologist John Heinerman, Ph.D., author of Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs. Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, radishes, rutabagas and turnips. Radishes are used in Russia precisely for this purpose.

Replied by Txtornado381 (Palm Bay, Fl) on 03/20/2012

Thank you

Replied by Cucumber (Cleburne, Texas, United States) on 11/13/2012

Replied by Jen (Bozeman, Mt) on 01/30/2013