Essential Oils for Thyroid Health

Essential oils for the thyroid is a hot topic. These compounds may be helpful for thyroid health because they are known to help reduce some of the root causes of thyroid issues. You can do this by using a functional nutrition approach.

Read on to learn more about how essential oils can fit into your client’s lives.

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What Does the Thyroid Do?

The thyroid is responsible for regulating metabolic rate through complex mechanisms and regulatory controls.

The thyroid makes thyroxine, an inactive form of a hormone, and also makes triiodothyronine or T3. Calcitonin is a calcium-regulating hormone that is also made by the thyroid gland.

Thyroid releasing hormone (TRH), which regulates the production of T3, is made in the hypothalamus. The pituitary gland makes thyroid-stimulating (TSH) hormone in response to T3 levels in the blood.

What Do Thyroid Hormones Do?

Thyroid hormones control:

Metabolism and appetite – your energy, ability to burn fat, and even use of nutrients in the body.
Body temperature and body reactions
Mood
Heart rate
Brain function
Muscle maintenance
Fertility and hormone balance
Bone strength

Other Organs Affect Thyroid Hormones

If these organs aren’t functioning properly, it will reduce optimal thyroid function. Those organs are:

The adrenal glands
The liver
The hypothalamus
The pituitary gland

Who Has Thyroid Dysfunction?

At least 10 percent of the population suffers from a thyroid disorder and an estimated 13 million people, or 50% of people, in the United States have thyroid dysfunction and don’t know it [R].

Up to 20% of women greater than 60 years of age have subclinical hypothyroidism as well [R].

Chronic stress impacts hormonal balance in the body. This stress, including diet imbalances, can negatively impact the thyroid [R].

Natural thyroid support should aim to reduce stress. Essential oils play an important role to reduce stress.

What Causes Thyroid Problems?

Toxins, poor diets, stress, and inflammation are known to make thyroid function suffer. We know this is a real problem because a huge percentage of the population now have thyroid problems, including weight gain, altered metabolism, and more [R, R, R, R].

A great lifestyle can go a long way to helping your client’s thyroid function. It is empowering because your patients will see results in this area!

The use of essential oils is also emerging as a great way to support our thyroid health. Many plants that are mentioned here support overall health, thyroid, and metabolism in many ways.

Keep in mind, many research studies support mechanisms to improve thyroid function; however, many of the studies we have are still early phase.

Diet & Environmental Factors

Inflammation dictates a leaky gut, which in turn increases the risk of thyroid problems [R].

The root cause of many thyroid issues is imbalanced diet, processed foods, leaky gut, exposure to chemicals, and too much inflammation [R]. Here is how:

Low thyroid levels are related to having too few antioxidants.
High thyroid levels cause oxidation and inflammation.
A leaky gut allows chemicals to enter the body that can drive inflammation and toxic burden.

Stress, imbalanced diet, food intolerances, toxins, and lack of protective plants in our diet also create this inflammatory response and low antioxidant levels [R].

Thyroid-Adrenal Connection

Chronic stress negatively impacts the thyroid.

How?

Cortisol from the adrenal gland functions in a negative feedback loop with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. This is known as the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid axis [R].

Cortisol signals to your hypothalamus, thyroid, and pituitary gland all to slow down. Stress also changes the conversion of T4 to T3, resulting in more reverse T3 [R].

This is why essential oils have a lot of appeal as a therapy for the stress-related “Thyroid steal.” If you can prevent the chronic, elevated cortisol levels, you can reduce some of the negative aspects of low thyroid levels, such as:

Weight gain
Fatigue
Anxiety

Cortisol increases thyroid resistance, much like the resistance of insulin in the body when we have diabetes. Additionally, stress hormone increases estrogen levels, which elevates thyroid-binding globulin, causing a net decrease in the thyroid function [R].

Stress also decreases thyroid releasing hormone from the pituitary gland, further worsening thyroid levels in the blood [R].

The main objective to help the thyroid function in this context is to dampen down stress!

Let’s review. Stress causes:

Reduces Thyroid Releasing Hormone
Increases thyroid resistance
Reduces T4 to T3 conversion
Increases estrogen which increases thyroid-binding hormone

Essential Oils that Reduce The Cortisol response

Essential oils that can reduce the cortisol response include the following [R, R, R, R, R, R, R]:

Additional Ways Oils May Help Adrenal Function

Other ways that oils may help adrenal function include the following:

Cinnamon bark may help balance blood sugar and insulin [R]
Helichrysum may reduce stress and is anti-inflammatory [R]
Manuka is very relaxing and is spasmolytic [R]
Rosemary may reduce cortisol and may improve memory (R]

Thyroid-Liver Connection

Liver imbalances can reduce the function of the thyroid [R]. The following oils may help with digestion and liver detoxification processes [R, R, R, R, R, R, R]:

The Hypothalamus-Thyroid Connection

The hypothalamus is the control center for hormones, the digestive, and the nervous system [R].

Essential oils can impact the hypothalamus because the aromatic compounds send signals from the olfactory bulb directly to the hypothalamus [R].

As part of the limbic system, the hypothalamus is deeply involved in memory, and the sense of smell intricately helps balance the hypothalamic response [R].

Sesquiterpenes May Help Hypothalamus & Limbic System

In addition to the aromatic effect of essential oils, compounds in essential oils called sesquiterpenes can cross the blood-brain barrier [R].

These aromatic compounds increase oxygen to the entire limbic system. The result is an increase in endorphins, neurotransmitters, and more [R].

The sesquiterpenes are a larger size molecules with 15 carbon atoms; this makes them less volatile than other essential oil compounds (R].

Oils HIGH in sesquiterpenes include the following* [R, R]:

*Some of these links are affiliate links, this means when you sign up or purchase from these links we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more in our disclosure statement.

Other Ways Essential Oils May Help Thyroid

Essential oils may help get to the root of many thyroid imbalances, especially stress as described above.

Essential oils serve as a great source of antioxidants for the body and can help bring down inflammation.

This, in turn, helps the thyroid.

Find out how copaiba oil affects both pain and anxiety here.

Oils that Balance & May Help Thyroid Function

Some research shows certain oils to bring balance to the body. These may help with thyroid function.

Lemongrass

One essential oil that has potent anti-inflammatory properties is lemongrass.

This is also a great essential oil for pain in the thyroid area.

Diluted lemongrass applied to the neck may help reduce thyroid discomfort and provide healing properties.

This is why lemongrass may be helpful for managing symptoms of thyroid nodules.

Ginger

Ginger essential oil is very beneficial to reduce inflammation [R].

It is also great to help the digestive tract work properly.

In cell culture, ginger also reduced leaky gut and inflammation.

A blend of ginger and lemon oil used as aromatherapy helped preserve the salivary gland in patients who were undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer.

Turmeric

Ginger’s relative turmeric essential oil, is helpful in many ways to support thyroid health.

Leaky gut is a culprit that makes thyroid conditions worse. Turmeric essential oil may be beneficial for inflammatory bowel conditions, a condition known to have leaky gut [R, R].

These conditions are related to thyroid disorders. High levels of thyroid or T3 can cause stress on the body and inflammation as well [R].

Turmeric also reduced the stress on the body caused by too little T3. In a cell culture study, turmeric also reduced the growth of thyroid cancer cells [R, R].

Lavender

Elevated cortisol, or stress hormone, may impair normal thyroid function [R, R].

One oil that reduced cortisol levels by almost 70% in patients preparing for open-heart surgery is lavender essential oil.

This oil also reduces free radicals and oxidative damage while reducing stress hormone cortisol [R]. It has been scientifically proven to promote calm feelings [R].

Lavender is also a great essential oil associated with natural pain relief.

Sandlewood

Sandalwood essential oil promotes a healthy mood and minimizes anxiety, a symptom that comes with a thyroid imbalance [R].

Myrrh

Myrrh essential oil improved all thyroid functions in mice, including improved conversion of T4 to T3 and increased uptake of iodine [R].

Like many other essential oils mentioned, myrrh reduces inflammation and has antioxidant activities [R].

Myrrh prevented low thyroid levels in female mice by reducing markers of inflammation in the body [R].

Frankincense

Frankincense essential oil effectively blocks inflammation in the body and also enhances the effects of other essential oils [R]. It is used also to reduce pain and inflammation in joints.

This oil may also improve skin disorders that accompany thyroid issues such as dry skin [R].

Frankincense may protect the thyroid by reducing free radicals in the body [R].

This is one of the most promising essential oils for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Frankincense and myrrh have the potential to block inflammation [R].

Essential Oils for Healthy Metabolism

Low thyroid can cause a sluggish metabolism and weight gain. In addition to a healthy diet and exercise, routine essential oils that are of Certified Pure Therapeutic (CPTG) quality may help to support a healthy metabolism by reducing hunger and appetite [R, R.] Ginger, grapefruit, peppermint oil, juniper, sage, garlic, and cinnamon are some oils used for improved metabolism [R, R, R, R, R, R, R].

Other essential oils that reduce inflammation include the following [R]:

How to Use Essential Oils for Thyroid

Apply To the Affected Area

Apply directly to your neck area with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil.

Combining multiple types of essential oils may increase effectiveness. A good combination for help with the thyroid is clove, myrrh, frankincense, and lemongrass together.

We absorb essential oils directly into the skin, just like most things we apply to our bodies. Many essential oils use hexane and solvents to extract plant compounds. They even use chemical fillers! Use only Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG) oils.

Take Orally as a Liquid or Gel Cap

The oils listed above can also be taken internally, using 1-2 drops twice daily, in an empty gel cap or diluted in water if using Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG) oils. Doterra oils for the thyroid is one such oil.

As a general rule, use small amounts (1-2 drops) several times a day for the most benefit.

A great way to help overall health is to get an essential oil kit.

Safety

Essential oils are NOT a replacement for medication but can support the health of the body
Routinely check your thyroid levels with your doctor and adjust medications as necessary.
Make sure to use caution if you are sensitive to any of the essential oils.
Do not use these during pregnancy unless under the guidance of your healthcare provider.

Summary

Essential oils may contribute to the support of a healthy body and thyroid in numerous ways. You can help guide your patients and clients with essential oil use with some basic tips listed above. As with anything, essential oils can not work in isolation and should be part of overall medical management which includes changes in diet and other lifestyle factors.

As always check with your healthcare provider before starting any essential oil regimens.