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Herbs and plants

Lycopus — a forgotten herb for an overactive thyroid?

Sources: 6 · Article: 8 449 characters

Henryk Różański says that Lycopus suppresses the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone and is used to treat an overactive thyroid.

  • According to him, it may also reduce nervous agitation and thyroid-related heart palpitations.
  • He lists Lycopus herb among natural remedies that suppress thyroid activity in hyperthyroidism associated with Hashimoto’s disease.
  • He recommends monitoring hormone levels, starting with low doses, and increasing them gradually.

What the authors write

Henryk Różański

Lycopus is said to suppress the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone and to be used to treat an overactive thyroid.

„It suppresses the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone, which stimulates the secretion of thyroid hormones. It is therefore intended for treating an overactive thyroid (Graves’ disease). It reduces nervous agitation and heart palpitations of thyroid origin.”Hamuje wytwarzanie hormony tyreotropowego, który stymuluje wydzielanie hormonów tarczycy. Zatem jest przeznaczony do leczenia nadczynności tarczycy (choroby Gravesa- -Basedowa). Zmniejsza podniecenie nerwowe i palpitacje serca pochodzenia tarczycowego.
Lycopus europaeus L. – karbieniec w leczeniu tarczycy
Henryk Różański

Lycopus may reduce nervous agitation and thyroid-related heart palpitations.

„It reduces nervous agitation and heart palpitations of thyroid origin. The herb is best gathered while flowering. You can take 2–3 g of powdered herb 3 times a day or brew it as an infusion. Pour a cup of boiling water over 2–3 g of the herb and drink it after 20 minutes. Drink three cups of this infusion a day.”Zmniejsza podniecenie nerwowe i palpitacje serca pochodzenia tarczycowego. Ziele najlepiej zbierać w czasie kwitnienia. 2-3 g ziela sproszkowanego można zażywać 3 razy dziennie lub parzyć. 2-3 g ziela zalać filiżanką wrzątku, po 20 minutach wypić. Stosować trzy filiżanki dziennie takiego naparu.
Lycopus europaeus L. – karbieniec w leczeniu tarczycy
Henryk Różański

For an overactive thyroid associated with Hashimoto’s disease, Henryk Różański lists Lycopus herb among natural remedies that suppress thyroid activity.

„If an overactive thyroid is found in someone with Hashimoto’s disease (for example, in the early stages of the disease), it may be worth using natural antithyroid agents, such as rosemary leaf, Lycopus herb, lemon balm herb, sage leaf, and vervain herb. Bupleurum, for example, effectively suppresses and relieves the symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease.”Jeżeli w chorobie Hashimoto stwierdza się nadczynność tarczycy (np. w początkach choroby) warto stosować naturalne tyreostatyki, np. liść rozmarynu, ziele karbieńca, ziele melisy, liść szałwii, ziele werbeny. Objawy choroby Hashimoto efektywnie hamuje i łagodzi przewiercień – Bupleurum, np.
Fitoterapia choroby Hashimoto, cz. II
Henryk Różański

Henryk Różański recommends monitoring hormone levels while using Lycopus.

„Monitor hormone levels during treatment. Start with low doses, for example, 1 cup of infusion for 3 weeks, then 2 cups of infusion for the next 3 weeks, and finally increase to 3 cups. Treatment may last several months. Increase tincture doses in the same way: 5, 10, 15, then 20 drops 2–3 times a day, until changes in thyroid hormone levels are achieved.”W czasie leczenia kontrolować poziom hormonów. Leczenie zaczynać od małych dawek, np. 1 filiżanka naparu przez 3 tygodnie, następnie 2 filiżanki naparu przez kolejne 3 tygodnie, wreszcie dojść do 3 filiżanek. Leczenie może trwać kilka miesięcy. Podobnie zwiększać dawki nalewki, 5, 10, 15, 20 kropli 2-3 razy dziennie, aż osiągniemy zmiany w poziomie hormonów tarczycy.
Lycopus europaeus L. – karbieniec w leczeniu tarczycy
Henryk Różański

Henryk Różański recommends starting with low doses and increasing them gradually.

„Start treatment with low doses, for example, 1 cup of infusion for 3 weeks, then 2 cups of infusion for the next 3 weeks, and finally increase to 3 cups. Treatment may last several months. Increase tincture doses in the same way: 5, 10, 15, then 20 drops 2–3 times a day, until changes in thyroid hormone levels are achieved.”Leczenie zaczynać od małych dawek, np. 1 filiżanka naparu przez 3 tygodnie, następnie 2 filiżanki naparu przez kolejne 3 tygodnie, wreszcie dojść do 3 filiżanek. Leczenie może trwać kilka miesięcy. Podobnie zwiększać dawki nalewki, 5, 10, 15, 20 kropli 2-3 razy dziennie, aż osiągniemy zmiany w poziomie hormonów tarczycy.
Lycopus europaeus L. – karbieniec w leczeniu tarczycy
Henryk Różański

Henryk Różański warns against stopping treatment suddenly and recommends reducing doses gradually.

„Treatment must not be stopped suddenly. Instead, gradually reduce the doses to avoid a sudden release of tropic hormones followed by thyroid hormones themselves. Lycopus is also used to treat excessive levels of gonadotropic hormones and hormonal overactivity of the sex organs.”Leczenia nie wolno przerywać nagle, lecz stopniowo dawki obniżać, aby nie wywołać gwałtownego wyrzutu hormonów tropowych, a potem właściwych hormonów tarczycy. Karbieniec znajduje także zastosowanie w leczeniu nadmiernego poziomu hormonów gonadotropowych i nadczynności hormonalnej narządów płciowych.
Lycopus europaeus L. – karbieniec w leczeniu tarczycy

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 4 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 7.

In an observational study, Lycopus extract was associated with improvement in some people with mild hyperthyroidism, more often than no treatment.

Aim of the study: Extracts of Lycopus europaeus are used clinically to control vegetative and irritative symptoms in mild hyperthyroidism. This study assessed the effects and safety of an extract of Lycopus europaeus (Thyreogutt® mono tablets or drops) in a general practice setting.

Results: A total of 403 patients with mild symptomatic hyperthyroidism were observed. The prospective assessment included 146 patients, the retrospective assessment 171 patients, and the control group 86 untreated patients. The response rate was 72.6% in the prospective assessment and 96.5% in the retrospective assessment, compared with 41.2% in the untreated control group. No adverse events were reported. The Lycopus europaeus extract was well tolerated and was associated with a statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement in symptoms of mild hyperthyroidism. Improvement was markedly greater in both Thyreogutt® mono groups than in the control group.

[Improvement of symptoms in mild hyperthyroidism with an extract of Lycopus europaeus (Thyreogutt® mono)]. · Wien Med Wochenschr 2013
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyclinical study in people

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In an open study of people with mild hyperthyroidism, using Lycopus reduced some symptoms, and the authors considered the results positive.

Aim of the study: The aim of the prospective, two-arm, open study was to examine the effect of Lycopi europaei herba on thyroid function and associated symptoms during a 3-month follow-up period. The study population consisted of patients with a basal TSH <1.0 mU/l and symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism.

Results: Symptoms specific to the thyroid gland were reduced, such as an increased heart rate in the morning. The Lycopus europaeus preparation was well tolerated. These findings confirm positive effects of Lycopus europaeus in mild forms of hyperthyroidism.

Lycopus europaeus (Gypsywort): effects on the thyroidal parameters and symptoms associated with thyroid function. · Phytomedicine 2008
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyclinical study in people

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In rats with thyroxine-induced hyperthyroidism, Lycopus extract lowered heart rate and blood pressure and alleviated heart enlargement.

Aim of the study: Extracts from the plant Lycopus europaeus L. are traditionally used in mild forms of hyperthyroidism.

Results: Lycopus extract and atenolol reduced the increased heart rate and blood pressure. Both treatments significantly alleviated cardiac hypertrophy. Lycopus extract and the beta-blocking agent significantly reduced beta-adrenoceptor density in heart tissue, with almost equal efficacy. Although the mode of action remains unclear, these organ-specific anti-T4 effects may be of practical interest, for example in patients with latent hyperthyroidism.

Extract of Lycopus europaeus L. reduces cardiac signs of hyperthyroidism in rats. · Life Sci 2006
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In rats, oral administration of Lycopus extract lowered T3, T4, and TSH levels.

Aim of the study: Lycopus extracts are used in folk medicine to treat symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Experimental studies have confirmed various effects on the pituitary-thyroid system as well as the pituitary-gonadal system.

Results: A marked reduction in T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations was observed 24 hours after the test solution was administered by gavage. The decrease in luteinizing hormone (LH), as well as the decrease in TSH despite reduced T4 and T3 levels, indicates that the plant extract acts centrally. Differences in biological activity depending on the route of administration may be explained, for example, by differences in the absorption of plant constituents.

Endocrine effects of Lycopus europaeus L. following oral application. · Arzneimittelforschung 1994
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

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