Chinese Herbs for Hypothyroidism - Hyperthyroidism

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Chinese Herbs for Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

The Yin and Yang of Thyroid Diseases

By: Catherine Browne, L.Ac., MH, Dipl.Ac.

In Chinese medicine, hypothyroidism would be delineated as a deficiency syndrome, or Yang Deficiency. Hyperthyroidism would be considered a disease pattern of excess due to Yin Deficiency. Both conditions can benefit from Chinese herbal therapy applied for six months to a year generally. As with any disease, Chinese medicine is better able to address chronic conditions because a single disease can be broken down in to many patterns of disharmony allowing for a more specific treatment. Several patterns can an generally do occur together. Here are some of the patterns according to Chinese medicine:

Hypothyroidism

Spleen Qi Deficiency

Qi (or Chi) is the force within us that allows for animation and movement. Qi provides warmth in the body and allows the blood to circulate. Spleen Qi Deficiency is marked with fatigue, weakness of the muscles, sweating without exertion, dampness, coldness, poor appetite, loose stools, bloating, nausea, indigestion, and pale complexion.

Kidney Yang Deficiency

The Kidney energetic system is closely related to the thyroid function in Chinese medicine, With hypothyroidism, Kidney Yang Deficiency predominates and would present with a sore lower back, hair loss, cold in the back, weak ache knees, impotence, infertility, perfuse clear urination, ringing in the ears, aversion to cold, and ankle edema.

Heart Qi Deficiency

As this disease process progresses, general Qi Deficiency as described above will lead to Heart Qi Deficiency marked with palpitations, irregular heart rhythm, trouble or disinterest in conversing, shortness of breath with exertion, poor circulation and cold limbs.

Hyperthyroidism

While hypothyroidism follow a path of chronic slow degeneration, hyperthyroidism is considered an inflammatory autoimmune disorder with erratic patterns of activity and remission. Herbal therapy should be continued even with remission for at least months to produce a lasting impact on this disease pattern.

Kidney Yin Deficiency

The Kidney is the source of all Yin in the body. Yin represents substance in the body such as blood and tissue that have a cooling and stabilizing affect as apposed to Yang and Qi that are warming and moving. When Yin is deficient, Yang is not well controlled and deficient heat signs develop including night sweats, tidal fevers, aversion to heat, dry mouth, thirst, and hair loss.

Liver Fire

As Yin Deficiency persists, the heat begins to consume Blood in the body creating more Yin Deficiency and Deficient Heat. When the Liver Yin and Liver Blood become deficient, the Liver heats up and begins to attack other organ systems. The Liver also helps to regulate Qi flow of the body, and Qi Stagnation is an issue with hyperthyroidism. Liver Yin Deficiency often develops these signs: high blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, itchy skin, hand tremors, blurred vision eye bulge, irritability, ringing in the ears that comes and goes.

Liver Spleen Disharmony

If the Spleen organ system is deficient or the Liver overly exuberant, the Liver will attack the Spleen and inhibit its ability to control dampness in the body. Spleen Qi Deficiency is indicated with Phlegm Nodules as seen with hyperthyroidism. Some indications of Spleen Deficiency as it relates to hyperthyroidism would include loose stools, stomach upset, nausea, muscular weakness, and nodules.

Heart Fire

With deficient fires raging internally, the Heart Blood is devoured and Heart Heat signs develop including palpitations, arrhythmias, rapid heart beat, high blood pressure, emotional instability, breathlessness, and insomnia. Additionally, the Heart helps to provide the free circulation of Blood throughout the body, and Blood

Stagnation is a common issue with hyperthyroidism.

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