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Health Remedies - Goitre

A goitre (goiter) is a swelling in the neck due to an enlarged thyroid gland. It occurs with both underproduction and overproduction of thyroid hormones. The most common cause for goitre in the world is iodine deficiency. Iodine is necessary for the synthesis of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxine (T3 and T4). When there is a deficiency of iodine, these hormones cannot be made. In response to low thyroid hormones, the pituitary gland releases thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Thyroid stimulating hormone acts to increase synthesis of T3 and T4, but in excess it also causes the thyroid gland to grow in size as a type of compensation. Such type of goitre is commonly known as endemic goitre. The other causes of goitre are grave's disease, viral thyroiditis, lithium intoxication, hereditary factors, tumours of the thyroid gland etc.

Useful herbs

Actaea spicata	Used in snakebite; antispasmodic, cytostatic, emetic, nervine and purgative (root);it is also considered useful in the treatment of nervous disorders and rheumatic fever (Coventry,1923).In India it is used in the treatment of rheumatism, goitre and asthma.
Boswellia serrata	In ulcers, tumours, goitre, cystic breast, diarrhea and dysentery, piles and skin diseases; useful in rheumatoid arthritis and cervical adenitis, found to improve blood supply to the joints and restore integrity of vessels weakened by spasm.
Clitoria ternatea	To treat oedema, mental disorder, goiter, vitiligo, snake-poisoning, toothache, eye disease, as aphrodisiac, filaria, leprosy (plant juice); dysentery, severe bronchitis, asthma, consumption, ascites and abdominal enlargement.
Leonurus cardiaca	Mainly directed toward the elderly; as a cardiotonic (in mental disorders associated with the autonomic nervous system), in prostate disorders, menopause, hysteria, heart palpitation, amenorrhoea, general weakness after fever and goiter
Nasturtium officinale	Anemia, asthma, bronchitis, cancer, catarrh, cough, depurative, earache, eczema, flu, head colds, kidney ailments, liver ailments, pertussis, piles, scabies, scurvy, sore, tuberculosis, warts, in strangury, goiter, very useful treatment for dietary deficiencies and malnutrition.
Rhinacanthus nasuta	For skin diseases and as an antiseptic (root and leaf). Used to treat obesity, helminthiasis, septic ulcers, leprosy, eczema, ringworm, prickly heat, herpes, scurvy, inflammation and cancer, goitre.
Veratrum viride	Cures puerperal fever, phthisis pulmonalis, acute rheumatism, gastric irritation, colic, tetanus, acute gonorrhea, active cerebral engorgement, exophthalmic goiter with tachycardia, aneurism, acute cases of pneumonia, peritonitis, threatened apoplexy, chronic coughs, constipation, for bruises, sprains, fractures, to treat aches and pains