Keeping your thyroid balanced can be challenging. 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 Grave’s disease can also be due to an autoimmune factor. To support thyroid balance using essential oils you have to look at supporting the immune system, supporting sleep, and supporting the body during times 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.
Essential Oils for Support
Essential Oils for Support- Cedarwood Essential Oil (Juniperus virginiana) is wonderful and very useful when you want to relax or get to sleep because of 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 useful for coughs. Myrrh is also very grounding yet I find it slightly more warming 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 anti fungal properties making it useful for supporting your immune systems. Palmarosa also works great for helping to relieve anxiety with 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 anti fungal properties. It also can promote deep relaxation because its 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 offers great immune and digestive system support. Sweet orange has a wonderful citrus scent and it is known as the feel good oil. This oils 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 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 your energy and focus.
Essential Oils For Balancing the Thyroid
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, she expressed that Ledum also has a balancing effect on the thyroid. Ledum essential oil can be helpful whether your thyroid is hyperactive or hypo active. It is interesting because Ledum Essential Oil also comes from the monoterpene and sesquiterpene chemical families.
My two favorite Nature’s Sunshine Essential Oil Blends for support are Breathe Deep and Refuge. Both of these blends contain many of the essential oils mentioned in this article.
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.