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PhytoThyro®
Thyroid herbal
Product Monograph
By Terry Vanderheyden, ND
This combination acts on several levels to support healthy functioning of a sluggish thyroid
gland. The ingredients – bladderwrack, black walnut hulls, ashwagandha, guggul, oats and
blue flag – are herbs with years of traditional use behind them. Modern clinical and laboratory
work confirms that they are especially effective for low thyroid problems.
Bladderwrack – Ryan Drum, PhD, establishes the essential need for supplementing the
diet with healthy, stable iodine 127. He points out that, “Animals with (a) complete body
complement of iodine127 tend to not take in radioactive iodine131.” Radioactive iodine131, a
fallout product from nuclear power generation, is a primary reason for the massive prevalence
of thyroid disease observed in the last few decades, contends Drum. In the presence of iodine
deficiency, animals will absorb and use iodine131, even though it damages the thyroid and gives
off gamma radiation.
Bladderwrack and all seaweeds are excellent sources of healthy iodine127. Moreover, much of
the iodine from bladderwrack, the seaweed in our combination, is present not just as simple
iodine127, but also as di-iodotyrosine (DIT), an immediate precursor of the thyroid hormones
thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3), according to Drum. “This makes Fucus spp the sea
vegetables of choice for treating thyroid disorders by providing the immediate precursors for
T4 and T3. Indeed, Fucus seems particularly effective in treating early stage hypothyroidism.
Positive results have (been) obtained in both hypothyroidism and Graves’ hyperthyroidism
cases.”
Black walnut hulls – According to herbalist Dr. John R. Christopher, black walnut hulls are
“heavily laden with potassium (iodide).” An analysis by research chemist Mark Pederson
confirms this, as does Steven H. Horne, who writes that black walnut is “one of the few land
plants that is rich in iodine.” Horne adds that, “I’ve personally found … black walnut to be a
great remedy for serious thyroid problems.” He notes that iodine is readily water-soluble.
Iodine has implications beyond healthy thyroid function. Horne reports that fibromyalgia often
responds to black walnut use, explaining that the condition may be partially attributed to iodine
deficiency.
Ashwagandha – A first class ‘tonic herb’ and an ingredient in many traditional Ayurvedic
formulations prescribed to improve overall health, ashwagandha is also a traditional Ayurvedic
herb used to support the thyroid gland. Studies show that it enhances thyroid function and
produces a significant increase in T4 thyroid hormone in a laboratory model. T4 levels in the
cited study increased by 111% compared to controls, while T3 was also elevated but by a more
modest 18%.
Guggul – Guggul enhances the conversion of T4 to the more potent T3 form. Naturopathic
physician Michael T. Murray, ND describes the effects of guggul and ashwagandha on the
thyroid gland: “Both of the plants appear to boost thyroid function without influencing the
release of the pituitary hormone TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) indicating the herbs work
directly on the thyroid gland and other body tissues to exert their effects. This action is quite
important, as 95% of all cases of hypothyroidism are not due to a problem with the pituitary.
The problem is with the thyroid gland itself and an impaired conversion of T4 into the more
potent T3 in tissues outside the thyroid gland.”
Terry Vanderheyden, ND
(Research Consultant)
Since graduating from the CCNM in 1994,
Terry Vanderheyden, ND, has practiced
in Ontario, specializing in homeopathic,
nutritional, and botanical therapies. Terry
lives in Barry’s Bay with his wife Laurie and
their 7 children.
References:
Ryan Drum, “Environmental Origins of
Thyroid Disease - Part 2,” ©2005-2007.
Accessed on line from http://www.ryandrum.
com/thyroidpart2.htm.
Ryan Drum, “Thyroid Function and
Dysfunction,” ©2005. Accessed on line from
http://www.ryandrum.com/thyroid1.html.
JR Christopher, School of Natural Healing,
Provo, UT: BiWorld Publishers, Inc.; 1976.
Mark Pedersen, Nutritional Herbology:
A Reference Guide to Herbs, Warsaw, IN:
Wendell W. Whitman Company; 1994, pp.5051.
S Horne, “Black Walnut,” Nature’s Field 2006;
22(9):1-2.
S Panda and A Kar, J Ethnopharmacol
1999;67:233-239.
Finley Ellingwood, The American Materia
Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy,
Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications;
1985. Reprinted from original 1919 edition,
pp. 369-370.
Products
Professionals
Prefer®
Contact us today to place an order.
call: 1.866.562.9131 | Fax: 1.866.353.0427
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PhytoThyro®
Thyroid herbal
Product Monograph
By Terry Vanderheyden, ND
Oats – Although not having a direct thyrostimulatory effect, oats has a long history of
traditional use for debility and other low thyroid symptoms such as general prostration
resulting from overwork, anxiety and worry.
Blue Flag – Eclectic physicians used blue flag for thyroid conditions. Considered by them
as a great alterative for general detoxification and skin conditions, blue flag also has specific
alterative benefits for glandular structures.
Combination Rationale– The herbs in this combination were carefully chosen to address
several aspects of thyroid dysfunction. These include dietary deficiencies of thyroid-healthy
iodine as well as addressing, with herbs, the problem of poor conversion of thyroid hormone
into its active metabolite, T3.
Using the Basal Body Temperature method to assess thyroid function is an additional method
by which one can determine if the thyroid gland is functioning optimally (Google the phrase
for more info and instructions). Low body temperature in addition to hypothyroid symptoms,
which include fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, dry skin, constipation, cardiovascular disease,
depression, poor mental function and memory among others, may be an indication of thyroid
dysfunction. Low thyroid function significantly increases the tendency to cardiovascular illness.
Other combinations to consider:
Consider taking PhytoThyro™ along with Sursum Corda™ if cardiovascular illness is present
or with Panloba™ if memory problems are an issue as well as BulkLax™ or CascaraLax™ if
constipation is present. ValeriCalm™ will help if insomnia is an issue.
Administration:
Take 1-2 ml (30-60 drops) three times daily in a little water on an empty stomach.
Contra-indications and Cautions:
C Consult a health care practitioner for use beyond 6 weeks. Consult a health care practitioner
if you are taking thyroid replacement therapies or lithium. Consumption with alcohol, other
drugs or natural health products with sedative properties is not recommended. If symptoms
worsen or persist, consult a health care practitioner. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not take this product if you have hyperthyroidism. Hypersensitivity reactions are known to
occur, in which case discontinue use.
Terry Vanderheyden, ND
(Research Consultant)
Since graduating from the CCNM in 1994,
Terry Vanderheyden, ND, has practiced
in Ontario, specializing in homeopathic,
nutritional, and botanical therapies. Terry
lives in Barry’s Bay with his wife Laurie and
their 7 children.
References:
FJ Petersen, Materia Medica and Clinical
Therapeutics, 1905. Scanned version © 2005.
Accessed from: http://www.ibiblio.org/
herbmed/eclectic/petersen/main.html
S Panda and A Kar, Life Sci.
1999;65(12):PL137-41.
MT Murray, “Natural Support for
Hypothyroidism,” Natural Living 2003; 1(18).
HW Felter and JU Lloyd, King’s American
Dispensatory, Portland, Oregon: Eclectic
Medical Publications; 1983. Reprint of
Eighteenth Edition of 1898. Third Revision.
Volumes 1 and 2.
WH Cook, The Physio-medical Dispensatory,
1869. Scanned version copyright Henrietta
Kress, 2001. Accessed from: http://www.
henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/cook/index.htm
Denis Wilson, MD, Wilson’s Temperature
Syndrome. Accessed on line from http://www.
wilsonssyndrome.com/
Neil Osterweil. “Low Thyroid Function May
Equal High Heart Disease Risk,” MedPage
Today, November 29, 2005.
Products
Professionals
Prefer®
Contact us today to place an order.
call: 1.866.562.9131 | Fax: 1.866.353.0427
[email protected]
www.stfrancisherbfarm.com