Goiter due to iodine deficiency (ID) is a major public health problem in several areas of the world. Its prevalence in females in the reproductive age group is very high, ranging from 34.5% to 37%. It is manifest by swelling of the thyroid gland. Though this state may appear to be a frightening illness, you can easily treat it with the right combination of medical care and home remedies. In this article, we have listed the most effective home remedies for goiter. We have also discussed the causes of goiter, its symptoms, and who is most at risk of developing it. Scroll down to check them out!

All About  Thyroid Gland: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

The thyroid gland is a little butterfly-shaped gland present in the lower front of the neck. This gland is responsible for secreting thyroid hormones, which maintain our body’s metabolism. Insufficiency or excess thyroid hormones leads to malfunctioning of the thyroid gland.

Goiter Definition:Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

Goiter is a disorder that is distinguished by the inflammation of the thyroid gland. This may happen due to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid glands), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid glands), or euthyroidism (normal thyroid functioning). In layman’s terms, the lack of and also the excess thyroid hormone can cause the gland to swell up. It is usually not a painful disease but brings along many other symptoms that can disrupt the normal functioning of your body

Medical assistance is the most highly regarded, method for goiter treatment. Thank to some home remedies you can be able to deal with the symptoms before turning to prescribed medicines.

Before exposing goiter home remedies. Let us look at the causes and symptoms of goiter first.

Iodine is one of the most important minerals to make thyroid hormones. The gland cannot make enough thyroid hormones if it does not get enough iodine from the diet. Hence, iodine deficiency is the primary cause of developing goiter.

Goiter Causes: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

Some of the other causes of goiter are as follows:

• Autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease, wherein the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid hormone production
• Genetic defects
• Injury or any infection to thyroid glands
• Radiation therapy for cancer
• Certain medications
• Benign tumours or thyroid cancer

Person  At Risk Of Goiter

• Women over the age of 40
• Family history of autoimmune disease
• People with low iodine in the diet

Goiter  Symptoms: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

If you notice the following symptoms, you may have goiter:

• Coughing for no reason
• Having a constricted feeling in the throat
• Hoarseness of voice
• Discomfort or pain while swallowing
• Mood swings
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Visible swelling at the base of your neck
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Difficulty in breathing
• Puffy face

Please remember that many of these symptoms are also associated with other health conditions. Hence, do not assume you have a goitre without getting a confirmed diagnosis from your doctor.

If you are diagnosed with goite, surgery or drugs are not the only solutions. Fortunately, you can try several home remedies to reduce the size of the thyroid gland and get relief from the symptoms. These, as mentioned, work best if used in conjunction with the prescribed medicines.

Home Remedies For Goiter:Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• A glass of warm water

What You Have To Do

Mix the honey and vinegar with water and drink the mixture, preferably on an empty stomach.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this every day in the morning.

Why This Works: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

Apple cider vinegar is mildly acidic and restores the pH balance in the body. It detoxifies the body, and this indirectly helps to increase iodine absorption and reduce thyroid swelling.

2. Castor Oil

You Will Need

A few drops of castor oil

What You Have To Do: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

1. Massage the neck area with the oil gently.
2. Leave the oil on overnight.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this every night before going to bed.

Why This Works: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

Castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling in the thyroid gland  It detoxifies the liver and helps in the conversion of T4 to active T3.

3. Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil contains high levels of lauric acid, a medium-chain triglyceride, which is converted into monolaurin and has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties as well as improves metabolism. You can add it to your hot drinks, and smoothies, and use it as a salad dressing as well as cooking.

Also read: Coconut oil benefits on  Angular cheilitis 

4. Bentonite Clay

You Will Need

• 2-3 tablespoons bentonite clay
• Water

What You Have To Do

1. Make a paste by adding enough water to the clay powder and mix well.
2. Apply this paste to the neck and let it dry.
3. Wash it off with plain water.

How Often You Should Do This: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

Apply this clay mask once every 2-3 days and observe the changes in the swelling.

Why This Works

It is a natural clay that helps to cleanse the body of toxin build-up and has effective antimicrobial properties.

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5. Seaweed

You Will Need

A handful of seaweed

What You Have To Do

Boil a handful of seaweed to make a salad. Add dressing as per your choice.

How Often You Should Do This

Include it once or twice a week in your meal. Do not overdo it.

Why This Works

Seaweed is a good source of iodine that helps to produce thyroid hormones. . Seaweed also contains tyrosine, a supportive amino acid that aids the production of thyroid hormones.

6. Dandelion Leaves

You Will Need

• A handful of dandelion leaves
• 1 tablespoon clarified butter (ghee)
• Water

What You Have To Do: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

1. Grind the leaves with some water to make a paste.
2. Add the ghee to this and heat the mixture for a few minutes until it becomes lukewarm.
3. Apply this on the neck and keep it on for 15-20 minutes.
4. Rinse it off.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this every day for a week or two.

Why This Works

Dandelion leaves have antioxidant properties and exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. Hence, this paste can reduce the swelling of the thyroid gland and relieve the associated symptoms.

7. Juice Recipes :Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

(a) Lemon Juice

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• A  clove of garlic
• 1 teaspoon honey

What You Have To Do

1. Crush the garlic and mix it with lemon juice and honey.
2. Drink this in the morning.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this every day in the morning, preferably on an empty stomach.

Why This Works: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

Both lemon and garlic contain anti-inflammatory compounds. This remedy also helps to remove any toxins that have accumulated in the body due to infections by eliminating the microbes with their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties ().

(b) Pineapple Juice

You Will Need

• 4-5 pineapple pieces
• 1 medium-sized carrot
• 2 tomatoes

What You Have To Do

1. Blend everything to get smooth juice. You can add some water to adjust the consistency.
2. Drink this juice, either at room temperature or slightly chilled.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink a glass of this pineapple blend every day.

Why This Works

Pineapple ingestion can improve the hormonal thyroid status and reduce the size of the goiter (15).

Read also : Goitre natural remedy 

8. Moringa (Malunggay): Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon dried moringa leaves
• A cup of hot water

What You Have To Do

1. Steep the leaves in hot water for a few minutes.
2. Strain and drink this decoction.

How Often You Should Do This

Drink moringa tea once every day.

Why This Works

Moringa leaves can help regulate the production of thyroid hormones. This herbal tea has an earthy taste and is very refreshing for the body.

9. Turmeric

You Will Need

• 1/2 cup turmeric powder
• 1 cup of water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper powder
• 70 ml cold pressed olive oil or coconut oil

What You Have To Do

1. Heat the water in a pan and add turmeric powder to it.
2. Cook this slowly for 5-10 minutes until you get a thick paste.
3. Add the black pepper and oil and stir well.
4. Remove from the flame and store in an airtight container.
5. Have a teaspoon of this paste.

Note: This golden paste can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this twice a day.

Why This Works

Turmeric is a potent spice that not only adds colour and flavour to food but also possesses multiple beneficial properties that improve health. Studies have found that turmeric could be useful in goiter treatment.

10. Flax seeds: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

You Will Need

• 2-3 tablespoons flaxseeds
• Water

What You Have To Do

1. Grind the flaxseeds and make a paste with a little bit of water.
2. Apply this pasteton to your neck and let it stand for 20-25 minutes.
3. Wash and pat the area dry.

How Often You Should Do This: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

Do this once every day until the swelling goes away.

Why This Works

Flax seeds contain alpha-linolenic acid, which forms resolvins that have anti-inflammatory properties. These properties may help reduce swelling.

Caution: Do not consume flax seeds without consulting your doctor as they may have a contrary effect.

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11. Garlic

You Will Need

3-4 garlic cloves

What You Have To Do: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

Chew garlic cloves as they are in the morning. If you feel that they are too pungent, crush the cloves and add some honey to them before ingesting.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this every day in the morning.

Why This Works

Garlic stimulates the production of glutathione in the body as it contains selenium, which is required for the healthy functioning of the thyroid.

12. Lemon Balm Tea: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons dried lemon balm (or 2 teaspoons fresh lemon balm)
• A cup of hot water
• Honey

What You Have To Do: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

1. Pour the hot water over the herb and let the tea steep for a few minutes. Make sure to keep the lid on while making the tea as it will prevent the aromatic oils of the balm from escaping with the steam.
2. Strain the decoction and add honey for taste.
3. Sip on this warm herbal tea.

Be sure to keep the lid on while making the tea, as it will prevent the aromatic oils of the balm from escaping with the steam.

How Often You Should Do This: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

Drink 2-3 cups of this herbal tea every day until the goiter symptoms are gone.

Read also : Goitre natural remedy 

Why This Works: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

Lemon balm is an effective stress management booster. It reduces psychological stress, which is the most common reason for developing thyroid disorders.

13. Nuts: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

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You Will Need: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

A handful of nuts

What You Have To Do

Soak a handful of nuts overnight or munch on them as it is.

How Often You Should Do This

Have a handful of nuts either as a wake-up snack or in between meals.

Why This Works: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

Nuts are not only omega-6 fatty acids but also exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. Among all nuts, Brazil nuts are the richest sources of selenium. Selenium acts as a stimulating factor in the conversion of T4 hormone to the most active form – T3 hormone (.

14. Fish Oil

You Will Need

Fish oil supplement either in capsule form or in liquid form

What You Have To Do

Take a teaspoon of fish oil every day.

How Often You Should Do This: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

Once a day.

Why This Works: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help to metabolize thyroid hormone in the liver

We would like to reiterate that while these home remedies for goiter will help, you should ensure that you use them in conjunction with the medications prescribed by your doctor. Also, make it a point to be extremely careful about your diet. You should be looking to eat foods rich in iodine and selenium while eating limited quantities of goitrogenic foods. And don’t forget the neck exercises!

The Best diet  For Goiter:Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

There are certain foods that you can include in your diet to speed up recovery from goiter. These food items replenish the iodine and selenium levels in the body causing a healthy amount of thyroid hormone to be produced. They also contain anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants which reduce swelling and other symptoms. Here is the recommended diet for goiter.
• Iodine-Rich Diet – If your goiter is caused due to iodine deficiency, you need to replenish your body with an iodine-rich diet. Try using iodized salt or consume more seafood, cod fish, tuna, eggs, natural yoghurt, milk, navy beans, baked potato with skin, and cranberries. Adults should consume about 150 micrograms of iodine every day to keep goiter away.

• Lettuce – Do not confuse this green leafy vegetable with cabbage, which is a cruciferous vegetable (and is not recommended for goiter patients). Lettuce is rich in iodine and is apt for consumption by goiter patients.
• Selenium Rich Foods – Your thyroid gland requires selenium to function at its optimal level. Some foods are naturally rich in this mineral like Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, shellfish, onions, mushrooms, wheat germ, barley, meats, poultry, eggs, and fatty fish. Even meat items like kidneys and liver can be consumed as they contain a good amount of selenium in them. Make these foods a part of your daily diet to help cure goiter.
• Bananas and pineapples are also recommended for goiter treatment.

What Food To Avoid For Goiter: Goiter Home Remedies And Diet

Goitrogenic foods are those that hinder the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. As a result, the gland is unable to synthesize iodine properly. So, there are some foods that you should eat in moderation, and these include:

Cauliflower
Cabbage
Turnip
Brussels sprouts
Mustard greens
Spinach
Broccoli
Kale
Soybeans
Peanuts
Radish
Sweet potatoes
Strawberries

You can cook goitrogenic foods to negate their effect on your thyroid. While it is not necessary to eliminate them from your diet completely, you should consume them in moderation