Herbs and plantsOveractive thyroid — can a forgotten marsh herb calm it without pills?
- Henryk Różański — Lycopus europaeus L. – karbieniec w leczeniu tarczycy
- Henryk Różański — Fitoterapia choroby Hashimoto, cz. II
- [Improvement of symptoms in mild hyperthyroidism with an extract of Lycopus europaeus (Thyreogutt® mono)]. · Wien Med Wochenschr 2013
- Lycopus europaeus (Gypsywort): effects on the thyroidal parameters and symptoms associated with thyroid function. · Phytomedicine 2008
- Extract of Lycopus europaeus L. reduces cardiac signs of hyperthyroidism in rats. · Life Sci 2006
- Endocrine effects of Lycopus europaeus L. following oral application. · Arzneimittelforschung 1994
Henryk Różański says that bugleweed is thought to suppress the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone and to be used to treat an overactive thyroid.
- According to him, it may also reduce nervous excitability and thyroid-related palpitations.
- He lists bugleweed herb among natural remedies that suppress thyroid activity in overactive thyroid associated with Hashimoto’s disease.
- He recommends monitoring hormone levels, starting with small doses, and increasing them gradually.
What the authors write
Bugleweed is thought to suppress the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone and to be used to treat an overactive thyroid.
Bugleweed may reduce nervous excitability and thyroid-related palpitations.
For an overactive thyroid associated with Hashimoto’s disease, Henryk Różański lists bugleweed herb among natural remedies that suppress thyroid activity.
Henryk Różański recommends monitoring hormone levels while using bugleweed.
Henryk Różański recommends starting with small doses and increasing them gradually.
Henryk Różański warns against stopping treatment suddenly and recommends gradually reducing the doses.
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, bugleweed extract was associated with improvement in some people with mild overactive thyroid, more often than no treatment.
Aim of the study: Extracts of Lycopus europaeus are used clinically for the control of 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: Four hundred and three patients with mild symptomatic hyperthyroidism were observed. The prolective assessment included 146 patients, the retrolective assessment 171 patients, and the control cohort 86 untreated patients. The responder rate was 72.6% in the prolective assessment and 96.5% in the retrolective assessment whereas the responder rate in the untreated control cohort amounted to 41.2%. No adverse events were reported. The extract of Lycopus europaeus was well tolerated and associated with a statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement of the symptoms in mild hyperthyroidism. The improvement was markedly better in both Thyreogutt® mono cohorts than in the control cohort.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In an open study of people with mild overactive thyroid, bugleweed use reduced some symptoms, and the authors considered the results positive.
Aim of the study: The aim of the prospective two-armed open study was to examine the effect of Lycopi europaei herba on thyroid function and on associated symptoms during a 3-month follow-up phase. The study population consisted of patients with a basal TSH<1.0 mU/l and hyperthyroidism-associated symptoms.
Results: Symptoms being specific to the thyroid gland were diminished, as e.g. the increased heart rate in the morning. The Lycopus europaeus preparation showed a good tolerance. These findings confirm positive effects of Lycopus europaeus in slight forms of hyperthyroidism.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In rats with thyroxine-induced hyperthyroidism, bugleweed 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. The cardiac hypertrophy was alleviated significantly by both treatment regimes. beta-Adrenoceptor density in heart tissue was significantly reduced by the Lycopus extract or the beta-blocking agent showing an almost equal efficacy. Although the mode of action remains unclear, these organo-specific anti-T4-effects seem to be of practical interest, for example in patients with latent hyperthyroidism.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In rats, oral administration of bugleweed extract lowered T3, T4, and TSH levels.
Aim of the study: Lycopus extracts are used in folk medicine for the treatment of hyperthyroid symptoms. Diverse effects on the pituitary thyroidal system as well as on the pituitary gonadal system could be confirmed in experimental studies.
Results: A pronounced reduction of T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations was observed 24 h after application of the test solution by gavage. The luteinizing hormone (LH) decrease as well as the TSH decrease, which was pronounced in spite of reduced T4 and T3 levels indicate a central point of attack of the plant extract. Differences in the biological activity in dependence on the route of application may be explained e.g. by differences in absorption of plant constituents.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Pisaczek does not judge who is right. It shows what was written and where to read it. Every sentence above has its source.