Home remedies for goiter are effective in curing goiter caused due to deficiency of iodine. The malfunctioning of thyroid gland, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, are the causes for goiter. Home remedies for goiter can effectively reverse the process and cure goiter.
Lack of concentration, sluggish metabolism and swelling at the neck are initial symptoms of goiter, in most of the cases, consuming iodine rich food can be an effective home remedy for goiter. Some rich sources of iodine are garlic, turnip, sea foods, carrots and onions. Whole rice, oats, bananas, pineapple, orange, watercress, tomatoes, guavas and other citrus fruits are also good sources of iodine. Intake of some foods shall be avoided like bakery products, red meat, preserved foods, sugary foods, caffeine and caffeine related products. Regular consumption of oats and banana is very helpful in treating goiter.
Few simple home remedies for goiter are applying bandages at the affected area. Leaves of dandelion smeared with warm ghee and bandaged at the affected area provide relief from goiter. Leaves and seeds of flax are also useful, heat the seeds with water and apply on the swollen area and later the leaves shall be bandaged on that area. Watercress is very useful as an intake in treating goiter but it can also be applied as a paste on the swollen area as a remedy. Paste of sorrel leaves and olive oil, mixed in equal quantities, applied externally, is also effective in treating goiter.
Another home remedy for goiter is doing neck stretches and exercise. Jogging and aerobics for 30 min everyday can be effective in treating goiter. Neck stretches exercise helps the muscles attached to thyroid gland. Taking cool showers twice a day also helps in improving functioning of thyroid gland.
Herbs are very valuable home remedies for goiter. Bladderwrack is very popular for its anti-obesity effects and is rich source of iodine but shall not be used for a long period and minimum quantity shall be consumed. It is available in bulk herb, powder form and in capsules. It stimulates the thyroid gland and improves metabolism. Another popular herb used as a home remedy for goiter is self-heal. This herb has been used for treating swollen glands in many ancient medicines. This can be taken internally or externally and is available in bulk herb and tincture form.
Kitchen ingredients also constitute few effective home remedies for goiter. Two teaspoons of watercress juice diluted with water thrice a day for six weeks can do wonders in curing goiter. Barley water once a day is also good at treating goiter. One teaspoon of juice of swamp cabbage with tea almond taken once or twice a day is effective in treating goiter. Decoction of 'Kachanas' (Bahuni variegate) with water is an old and popular home remedy for goiter. 30 ml of this decoction twice a day on an empty stomach can cure goiter very quickly.
Chlorine, fluoride and iodine may appear to be friendly but not always. Consumption of chlorine, through chlorinated water or fluoride through toothpaste and other dental medicines shall be kept in check. Presence of these two chemicals blocks the consumption of iodine by the thyroid gland and may lead or deteriorate goiter.
