There’s no scientific proof that essential oils can help your thyroid.
Or that you can use them in place of thyroid replacement hormones.
I can’t direct you to any studies showing that aromatic oils will improve you thyroid function.
However, you can still use essential oils to support your body, if you suffer from thyroid problems.
We do know that essential oils can help alleviate stress. Naturally, without drugs. So it makes perfect sense to use them to help you unwind.
Stress isn’t good for your body. It takes a toll on your adrenal glands. And, as you probably know, thyroid and adrenal problems often occur together. Chronic low-level stress is believed to cause adrenal problems.
I suffer from adrenal fatigue. My body has recovered a lot. It’s taken a long time, and I’ve used a lot of natural remedies, including essential oils. But essential oils were only a relatively small part of the solution.
So, theoretically, it may make sense to use essential oils if your thyroid isn’t working. But not with the intention of using them in place of proper medical care.
Can Essential Oils Help Your Thyroid?
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Let me say upfront that I’m not a doctor or a medical professional. But I do know that your thyroid gland controls many other functions in your body.
Thyroid problems require professional medical help. This may include seeing holistic-minded healers who may prescribe lifestyle changes and dietary supplements, along with homeopathy or acupuncture. Certain herbal remedies may also play a role in supporting the thyroid naturally.
Essential oils may be part of the treatment plan. Especially if they’re used for natural stress reduction. For instance, I often use specific essential oil blends designed for stress, such as Relax Synergy Blend sold by Plant Therapy.
But there’s no evidence that essential oils alone can improve your thyroid function to the point that no other treatments are needed.
Essential Oils for Thyroid Support?
I’m all for natural health. This entire site is dedicated to natural remedies and healthy living.
I use essential oils every single day. I don’t know what I’d do without them. Essential oils are good natural stress busters. They can also be used for pain control. When used properly, they’re much safer than OTC pain medication.
But essential oils aren’t magic. They do some things very well. But, in and of themselves, they probably won’t solve all of your health problems.
That’s why I’m careful not to make claims that can’t be backed up by science.
At the same time, I don’t live and die by studies. That’s because studies are only as good as their design. Also, most research is focused on bringing new drugs to market. Not on how to best use essential oils, which as natural plant-based substances, cannot be patented.
Can Essential Oils Help Hypothyroidism?
I cringe when I see claims being made that essential oils alone may heal problematic thyroid. Because I know there’s no proof. At least not right now.
Some day we may have rigorously researched thyroid treatment protocols involving essential oils. But that day hasn’t arrived.
A good holistic-minded practitioner may recommend certain essential oils for your thyroid. But he or she will most likely do this as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Not just essential oils alone.
In fact, one of my favorite natural health experts is Dr. Josh Axe, DC. He has published an extensive collection of articles that involve drug-free healing. These include information on how to support a sluggish thyroid gland.
Dr. Axe mentions certain essential oils that may help. But he doesn’t claim they will help. And he doesn’t imply that essential oils alone will heal your thyroid.
Instead Dr. Axe proposes a comprehensive lifestyle overhaul. (You can see a link to his article at the end of this post.) This would include eating foods that promote a healthy metabolism, as well as certain dietary supplements.
Dr. Axe is not talking a cure. In fact, his article states, “There is no cure for a hypothyroidism diagnosis, but there may be ways to naturally increase thyroid hormone production through dietary means.”
He also talks about what foods to eat more of, as well as what foods to avoid. He noted that stress can contribute to thyroid problems by raising your cortisol level.
Essential Oils for Your Thyroid Gland
Dr. Axe did mention certain specific essential oils for thyroid support. Among these are frankincense and myrrh. These two Biblical oils are being studied for other potential health benefits, including the ability to fight excess inflammation and cancer.
I need to point out that I’m not suggesting any essential oil will heal hypothyroidism. I’m only noting that a well-known holistic health expert is suggesting them for support, as you focus on various ways to help your thyroid work better.
Both frankincense and myrrh have soothing and grounding scents. Lemongrass and lavender essential oil were also mentioned by Dr. Axe.
Although not specifically studied for thyroid dysfunction, essential oils can help reduce stress naturally. That much is known.
Stress reduction is typically included as part of a thyroid support regimen. So it’s safe to say that anything that reduces stress naturally has potential health benefits.
If you don’t own essential oils, I highly recommend them for natural stress reduction. One of the most popular oils used for this purpose is lavender essential oil. If you don’t already own any, below you can see one of the brands I use and recommend myself.
Essential Oils To Help Your Thyroid
There’s a well-known autoimmune component to hypothyroidism. Autoimmunity is associated with chronic and excess inflammation.
In theory, reducing inflammation can help. Essential oils contain known anti-inflammatory agents.
In 2015 the medical journal Scientific Reports published a study showing that frankincense and myrrh extracts reduced inflammation and arthritis symptoms in lab rats.
Although this doesn’t prove that these tree resins can help with hypothyroidism, they apparently contain anti-inflammatory compounds.
Many holistic health experts believe inflammation is the root cause of disease.
When fighting a chronic health problem, it makes sense to reduce inflammation. It’s possible essential oils can help.
Disclaimer
Everything you see here is my personal opinion, and is not intended to be presented as medical advice. These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils or herbal or homeopathic remedies unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
For More Reading
Does Fluoride Cause Thyroid Problems?
Hypothyroidism Diet and Natural Treatment
Frankincense Myrrh and Inflammation Study
