Essential Oils for Thyroid Support
Keeping your thyroid balanced can be challenging, especially as we age and battle the hormonal changes. The thyroid can become imbalanced due to several contributing factors. Such as a sluggish liver, poor digestive function, imbalance of gut microbes, allergens relating to gluten and soy, inflammation, and stress. Many thyroid problems, including Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease, can also be due to an autoimmune factor.
To support thyroid balance using essential oils, you have to look at supporting the gut and immune system, supporting your metabolism, and focusing on healthy habits like sleep, diet, and periods of stress and fatigue. There are many essential oils that are beneficial for each of these areas, especially in the monoterpene and sesquiterpene chemical families. However, I am going to try to narrow it down.
What Affects Thyroid Health
Well, the health of your thyroid impacts your metabolism and pain levels, and it has a deep connection with the gut. When your thyroid becomes sluggish (hypothyroidism), you can become constipated and have less stomach acid. When your thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism) you may experience diarrhea and not be absorbing your nutrients. Overall, poor gut health can also impair the absorption of your thyroid hormones.
Your thyroid health can slow down or speed up your metabolism, which can affect your weight, muscle strength, and cardiovascular health. It can also lead to an increase in muscle aches, stiffness, and swollen joints.
Essential Oils for Thyroid Support
- Cedarwood Essential Oil (Juniperus virginiana) is wonderful and very useful for relaxing or helping you get to sleep due to its sedative properties. It also supports your overall health, especially if you have any respiratory concerns. In fact, it works as well, if not better than Eucalyptus. I love cedarwood because I find it to be very grounding, calming, and refreshing with its woodsy cedar scent. You can apply cedarwood topically for respiratory support or diffuse it at night to help you breathe and relax so you can get a good night’s sleep.
- Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), like cedarwood essential oil, is very useful for respiratory concerns due to its decongestant properties, especially for coughs. Myrrh is also very grounding, though I find it slightly warmer than cedarwood. It offers a deeper sense of calm, giving you a tranquil and secure feeling.
- Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii) essential oil makes a great antimicrobial to use in a diffuser blend for helping to keep the air clean. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it useful for supporting your immune system. Palmarosa also works great for helping to relieve anxiety because of its cooling and calming properties. I really enjoy the floral scent of palmarosa and find it to be very comforting.
- Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) essential oil offers sedative benefits to help you sleep and keep you calm, as well as a great oil to support your immune system. Patchouli has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can also promote deep relaxation because it’s a strong central nervous system sedative. Patchouli, aka the hippy oil, has a strong herbal scent and is a thicker oil, so this oil would best be used topically.
- Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) essential oils offer great immune and digestive system support. Sweet orange has a wonderful citrus scent, and it is known as the feel-good oil. This oil has the ability to make you feel relaxed and restored at the same time. It works especially well for allergies and sinus congestion, especially when diffused. You can also use it topically for tummy aches and nausea. It is one of my favorite oils.
- Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil is well known for its cleaning properties from the kitchen to the body. It has wonderful antimicrobial properties, making it great for supporting the immune system. Tea tree also helps with your energy and focus.
I did read in “Aromatherapy for Health Professionals” by Shirley and Len Price, that Myrrh Essential Oil (Commiphora myrrha) and Palmarosa Essential Oil (Cymbopogon martinii) tend to have a regulating and balancing effect on the thyroid, especially when used in inhalation.
Also, KG Stiles, in her article on Ledum Essential Oil, expressed that Ledum also has a balancing effect on the thyroid. Ledum essential oil can be helpful whether your thyroid is hyperactive or hypoactive. It is interesting because Ledum Essential Oil also comes from the monoterpene and sesquiterpene chemical families.
If you are interested in purchasing essential oils, please visit Aromatics International via our affiliate link.
For more natural approaches to supporting thyroid health, gut balance, and metabolism, start with our 6-Week Clean Eating Kickstart or explore our wellness programs.”
References:
- “Natural Thyroid Treatment – Ledum Essential Oil”, accessed 04/04/18, https://www.kgstiles.com/articles/articleledum/
- Price, Shirley & Price, Len (2007), Aromatherapy for Health Professionals Third Edition, Elsevier Health, China, page 119.
- Butje, Andrea, (2017), The Heart of Aromatherapy, Hay House, Inc, USA.
- Battaglia, Salvatore, (2003), The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy Second Edition, The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, Australia.