Thyroid Problem Damages the Brain

The patients of thyroid are increasing in India day by day. The disease has no cure, but it could be controlled by medication.

Anterior thyroid in Throat
Wikimedia Commons by  CFCF

The deficiency of Iodine is the chief cause of thyroid and it may lead to brain damage.

The researchers are working throughout the world to find the causes and cures for the problem of the thyroid.

But it is certain that the chief cause for thyroid is genetic. The families having a history of thyroid disease are more prone to get afflicted with the problem. The iodine deficiency is the primary cause of thyroid which may even lead to brain damage.

Regular Monitoring

At present more than 86% of the people of the world have access to iodized salt. The regular monitoring of the levels of the thyroid is necessary to keep the problem under control.

It is necessary to regularly check the presence of thyroid problem during pregnancy and after the age of 30 years.

One out of 10 adults in India is suffering from hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland fails to secrete sufficient amount of thyroid hormone. The symptoms are tiredness, pain in joints and muscles, obesity, dry skin, hoarse voice, irregular menstruation etc. here the thyroid is less active.

Safety, Precautions and symptoms

If left untreated the hypothyroidism leads to the problem of goiter. It causes a stiif neck. Besides it also leads to serious problems like atherosclerosis, stroke, cholesterol boost, infertility, and severe weakness.  

Hyperthyroidism

In hyperthyroidism the thyroid gland becomes more active and the thyroid hormone is produced in excess which causes grave diseases and even tumor. In grave diseases, the antibodies are produced in the body. As a result, the thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormone and the chain reaction starts. Hyperthyroidism is caused by the excess use of iodine and hormone medicines. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism are excess sweating, increase in the size of the thyroid gland, increased heart rate, swelling around the eyes, hair thinning, skin becomes soft, etc. But the cases of hyperthyroidism are very few.

If left untreated, it may cause serious problems like cardiac arrest, arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat, either slow or fast or irregular), osteoporosis, cardiac dilation. Besides, it may cause symptoms like abortion, premature birth, preeclampsia (increased blood pressure during pregnancy), and improper development of the fetus.    

Goiter
Wikimedia Commons by Almazi(talk)

It also leads to Hashimoto thyroiditis in which the thyroid hormones are released from the thyroid gland due to the swelling in the thyroid gland and the patient becomes a victim of hyperthyroidism. The size of the thyroid gland increases in goiter and it often happens due to the deficiency of iodine. The symptoms are swollen throat, stiff neck, cough, and a problem in breathing.

Thyroid Cancer

It generally occurs after the age of 30 years. This type of cancer is found in the tissue of thyroid gland. There are often no symptoms and a knot type cyst appears in the throat. It is due to environmental and hereditary causes. The cure includes surgery, hormone therapy, radioactive iodine, radiation and sometimes chemotherapy.  

As a safety measure the experts advise a drastic change in lifestyle, balanced diet, and regular checkup.

Home Remedies for Thyroid by Ashwagandha

More and more people throughout the world are becoming the victims of the problem of the thyroid. This problem is very common among women as compared to men.

The fruits of Ashwagandha
Wikimedia Commons by Roger Culos

The thyroid gland is located on both sides of the vocal cord situated above the wind pipe. It is in the shape of a butterfly. This gland produces thyroxin hormone.

Thyroxin hormone controls different things like the energy needs of the body, protein production, and sensitivity towards other hormones.

Several disorders spring up during the thyroid problem. Even the immune system of the body also becomes weak.

This problem could be found among the women by some general symptoms. The early detection of the problem is very effective to help for the complete cure of the disease.

Types

Hyperthyroidism appears when the thyroid gland produces excess thyroxin hormone.
The less production or the reduced levels of thyroxin hormone in the body is called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism may also be caused by the inactiveness of thyroxin hormone.

Hypothyroidism or the reduced production of thyroxin hormone causes dwarfism among the children and increases the fats among the adults.

Hyperthyroidism or excess thyroxin hormone causes the problem of goiter.  

The deficiency of Iodine or thyroid failure causes tiredness, indolence, and hormone imbalance. If left untreated it may cause swelling in tissues and skin.

Reasons for Thyroid

The thyroid is caused by an increase in the thyroid gland in which the capacity of the gland to form thyroxin hormone gets reduced.

The excessive use of the products containing isoflavones rich soy, protein, and soya in the form of a capsule or powder may cause thyroid problem.

Side effects of certain medicines may become the cause of thyroid.

A thyroid problem can also be due to the pituitary gland because it fails to give a signal to the thyroid gland to produce thyroxin. 
  

The intake of less or increased amounts of iodine in foods also increases the problem of the thyroid.   

Other causes include radiation therapy around the head, and chest; radiation treatment for pimples; lymph nodes, tonsils, and the problem of the thymus gland.

The increased stress affects the thyroid gland the most. Stress increases the production of thyroid.

The family history increases the chances of the thyroid. Genetics is the most common cause of thyroid.

Ashwagandha Plant
Wikimedia Commons by Hari Prasad Nadig

Treatment in Ayurveda

Ashwagandha is a natural herb known for its powerful properties. The intake of an Ayurveda herb Ashwagandha meaning “the smell of the horse” increases the strength like a horse. Its botanical name Withania somnifera or called Indian ginseng, winter cherry is used in an Indian and Chinese system of ancient medicines. 
This small shrub with yellow flowers is native to India and North Africa. It could be grown in a pot for regular use. This herb is beneficial to cure and control several ailments. 

1. Thyroid

The powder or the paste of the green leaves of ashwagandha or the extract of boiled roots could be used for the desired effects. 

The intake of ashwagandha controls the irregularities of the thyroid. It is very effective for the cure of both hypo and hyperthyroidism.

Take 200 to 1200 mg of the powder of ashwagandha with tea. The leaves of basil could also be added for taste and added benefits of another herb.

In hypothyroidism, ashwagandha is used with Ayurveda tablet Mahayograj Guggulu.

2. Strength of Body

The regular intake of Ashwagandha maintains the energy of the body and increases the work efficiency. It increases muscle mass and muscle strength.

3. Inflammation

It reduces the inflammation. It increases the activity of natural killer cells or immune cells that fight inflammation.

The rich concentrations of “withanolides” in the herb fight inflammation and tumor growth. The herb also reduces the cancer risks by promoting the death of cancer cells.

4. Reduces Cholesterol

It can reduce the risks of heart disease by bringing down the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.

5. Hormone Imbalance

The daily intake of ashwagandha also balances the hormone imbalance in the body. It increases the testosterone and androgen hormones in the body and increases the male fertility.

6. Reduces Stress

It is called an adaptogen that helps the body to manage stress and anxiety and depression. The adrenal glands release the stress hormone “cortisol” during stress or in low levels of blood sugar, and ashwagandha.

  

7. Diabetes

The regular intake of ashwagandha for a month can reduce the fasting blood sugar in Type II diabetes

Caution
Do not stop the medicines being taken for thyroid. Ashwagandha could be taken with the regular tablet. 

Bauhinia Variegata or Kachnar for Thyroid and Other Ailments

Kachnar, or Mountain Ebony, 
Wikimedia Commons by J M Garg

It is called as Phanera variegata or Bauhinia variegate. In the genus of Bauhinia, the plant is commonly known as Grevillea robusta belonging to the family of A. Cunn. Proteaceae.

The Bauhinia variegata plant species is popularly known as Kachnar in India, while its English name is silver oak. 

It is known as chingthrao in Manipuri and kanaraj in Marathi. The othe names include orchid tree, mountain-ebony, or camel's foot tree. It is a flowering plant in the order of Fabales in Cercideae tribe. It belongs to the family of Fabaceae or Leguminosae, in the subfamily of Caesalpinioideae. Its plant kingdom is Plantae in Magnoliopsida and the class division is Magnoliophyta.

The kachnar is one of the beautiful and most useful ornamental tree found in a subtropical and tropical climate in South and Southeast Asia in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Burma, and China. The plant is native to Southeast Asia that is from Southern China to the west of Pakistan including India and grows in subtropical and tropical climates.

Depending upon the color of the flowers this ornamental tree has three varieties of red, white and mauve. This small to a medium-sized deciduous tree grows up to 10- 12 meters, with rounded and broad leaves about 20 cm long which are bi-lobed at the base and the top. The flowers bloom in the tree in mid-March.

It has several species out of which the pink variety is very advantageous and beneficial. The flower bud is long, slender, green and pink in color. Its five-petaled scented flowers are up to 12 cm in diameter and the seeded fruit pod generally grows up to 30 cm in length.

Health Benefits

1. The bark, flowers, and leaves of kachnar are beneficial for health. The flowers bloom in mid-March. This plant of several health benefits is grown for food, fodder and scented flowers. 

2. The buds and flowers of Kachnar are long, green and pink.

They help in joint pains, asthma, and ulcers.

The buds are used in several recipes and the raita or a dish in curd or buttermilk is very useful to reduce the abscess and pimples by purifying the blood.

3. The buds and roots help in digestion and constipation. The regular intake of twice a day of the bark extract with ground carom seeds or thyme to get relief in gastric and indigestion.

4. The kachnar curry prepared from the buds by adding yogurt, onion and spices is delicious food.

5. The flowers are the best in thyroid, tonsils and throat problems.

Grind the bark of the tree in the water in which rice has been washed and eat it with saunf or aniseed to get relief from the cyst in the throat. The powder of dry ginger could be added to this paste to be applied on the cysts of the throat.

In case of a cyst on the throat, grind the bark in rice water and eat it by adding a teaspoon of the powder of fennel seeds. Add dry ginger to the mixture and apply it on cyst as a balm.

To get rid of the knots in the throat, grind the bark of the tree in rice water and add half a tablespoon of the powder of fennel seeds and eat it.

Prepare the paste of flowers or bark is prepared with rice water and dry ginger powder and apply on the throat for swollen gland or tonsils. The paste could also be taken for additional relief.

6. Take the powder of the buds with butter and candy sugar for 10 days to get relief from piles.

7. Boil the bark in water and take the boiled extract to get rid of worms in the intestine.

8. The root extract could be taken in liver disorders.

9. The intake of the extract of the buds purifies and cleans the blood.

10. The massage of the ash of the burnt branches on teeth gives relief in toothache. Cleaning the teeth with the ash of the branches of the tree also helps in toothache.

11. In the case of gastric problem, prepare the bark extract of Kachnar and add ajwain or carom seed or thyme in 20 mg dose and drink twice a day for few days.

12. In case of mouth ulcers apply the paste formed by the extract of kachnar bark with katha or catechu or the extract of acacia tree for complete relief.

13. The flowers and buds are taken as a vegetable. It cleans the blood and is very beneficial for abscesses, pimples, arthritis and joint pains.

14.  In case of the numbness in the tongue, take a pinch of the powder of the bark. It is also useful for the numbness of the skin and other parts of the body.

15. Take the powder of the buds of the flower with butter and sugar for a fortnight to get relief from piles.

16. Take the root extract for any type of kidney problem as it helps to strengthen the kidney functions.

The Benefits of Organic Coconut Oil in Thyroid Treatment

Coconut Oil in Solid State.

Wikimedia Commons by Sentient Planet

The organic coconut oil has several health benefits and it is excellent for thyroid treatment.

The rich amount of lauric acid contained in it gets converted into a mono-glyceride called mono- laurin inside the body. This compound can destroy several viruses and bacteria.

It contains medium chain fatty acids which increase the metabolism of the body and fights against pathogens and boosts the immune system.

The coconut oil is used in general household cleaning and the natural shining of furniture.
The main precaution is to choose an organic, unrefined, unbleached coconut oil made without heat processing or chemicals. Besides, it should not contain genetically engineered ingredients or preservatives. 

The other uses of coconut oil together with cooking and eating are in the topical application in beauty products.

It is also used on burns and first aid treatments.

The recent researches prove that it may become a natural treatment for Alzheimer's disease. It is due to the reason that the ketone bodies derived from medium chain fatty acids act as an alternate source of brain fuel. It thereby prevents brain loss associated with dementia or memory loss.

Another wonderful thing about coconut oil is that it does not produce an insulin spike in the bloodstream. Hence a spoonful of it could be taken for a quick energy boost without any increase in blood sugar.