Chinese Herbal Formulas Used to Treat Hyperthyroidism

TCM Perspective on Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition that affects the endocrine system that is distinguished by a thyroid gland that produces excess amounts of hormones. Situated in the neck, the thyroid gland has an enormous impact on the well-being and health of a person. This gland secretes the thyroid hormone, which is the hormone that serves to regulate human maturation, growth and the metabolic rate of the body. The manner in which the thyroid gland functions is determined by a number of factors including the proper conversion of T4 (thyroxine) to T3 (triiodothyronine), the amount of iodine supplied in the body, and the proper functioning of the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. An imbalance in one or more of these factors, will cause the affected person to start experiencing either hypothyroidism (the result of a thyroid hormone that produces inadequate amounts of the thyroid hormone) or hyperthyroidism.

Etiology
Hyperthyroidism, according to TCM, is a condition caused by a combination of phlegm stagnation, Liver fire rebellion, qi and yin deficiencies. The last cause (qi and yin deficiencies) is the underlying cause, while the signs and symptoms are the phlegm stagnation and uprising of Liver fire. When comparing TCM etiology to Western medicine’s, we see that the stagnation of phlegm can explain the enlargement of the thyroid gland, yin and qi deficiencies can equate to the fatigue and weakness of the body caused by the prolonged over stimulation of the thyroid gland, and the constant excitation caused by too much thyroid hormone in the body can correlate to the uprising of Liver fire. Hyperthyroidism’s symptoms are excess while its underlying cause is deficiency. Therefore, treatment may entail simultaneously addressing both the symptoms and the cause.

Differential Diagnosis
To come up with an appropriate type of treatment, differentiating between deficiency and excess in patients with hyperthyroid is crucial. The Kidney, Heart, and Liver are the three organs usually affected by hyperthyroidism. Apart from removing heat, the TCM practitioner also needs to nourish the yin of the patient as the yin can be damaged by bitter herbs if they are used for an extended period of time. They may treat the symptoms but may not resolve the underlying cause of the condition. In TCM, hyperthyroidism has symptoms that are quite the same as that of the wasting and thirsting syndrome (Hsiao ke). Therefore, diagnosing the condition correctly is important in order to prescribe the appropriate herbal formula(s). The patterns of disharmony that underlie the cause of hyperthyroidism include:

–Underlying Deficiencies in Yin and Qi and Liver Fire with Phlegm
-Heart, Kidney, and Liver Yin Deficiencies
-Phlegm and Qi Stagnation
-Deficiencies in Yin and Qi
-Liver Fire

Herbal Formula for Underlying Deficiencies in Yin and Qi and Liver Fire with Phlegm
-Root of Astralagus (Wang Qi)
-Licorice (Gan Cao)
-Siler root (Fang Feng)
-Polygala root (Yuan Zhi)
-Thunberg Fritillary Bulb (Zhe Bei Mu)
-Oyster shell (Mu Li)
-Cyathula root (Chuan Niu Hsi)
-Carapax Trionycis (Bie Jia)
-Prunella spike (Hsia Ku Cao)
-Gardenia fruit (Shi Hsi)
-Anemarrhena rhizome (Shi Mu)
-Scrophularia Root (Hsuan Shen)

Herbal Formula for Heart, Kidney, and Liver Yin Deficiencies
-Prepared Rehmannia Root (Shi Bai di Wang Wan), 28g
-Phellodendron Bark (Huang Bai), 7g
-Radix Anemarrhenae (Zhi Mu), 7g
-Cornus fruit (Shan Zhu Yu), 14g
-Poria (Fu Ling), 10g
-Alisma Rhizome (Hse Hsie), 10g
-Tree peony bark (Mu Dan Pi), 10g
-Chinese yam (Shan Yao), 14g

Herbal Remedies for Phlegm and Qi Stagnation
-Purple Perilla Leaf (Hsi Su Ye), 10g
-Bark of Magnolia (Hou Po), 16g
-Poria (Fu Ling), 21g
-Fresh Ginger Rhizome (Sheng Jiang), 26g
-Pinellia Rhizome (Ban Xia), 28g

Herbal Remedies for Yin and Qi Deficiencies
Toosendan Fruit (Chuan Lian Hsi), 8g
Lycium Fruit (Gou Qi Hsi), 15g
Body of Chinese Angelica Root (Dang Gui Shen), 15g
Ophiopogon Tuber (Mai Men Dong), 15g
Four Leaf Lady-Bell Root (Sha Shen), 15g
Rehmannia Root (Sheng Di Huan), 30g

Herbal Remedies for Liver Fire
-Licorice Root (Gan Cao)
-Great Burdock Fruit (Niu Bang Hsi)
-Chinese Lovage Root (Chuan Hsiong)
-Poria (Fu Ling)
-White peony root (Bai Shao)
-Chinese Angelica Root (Dang Gui)
-Asian Buplever Root (Chai Hu)
-Moutan Root Bark (Mu Dan Pi)
-Gardenia fruit (Shi Hsi)

Significant improvements within a month of herbal therapy can be seen in hyperthyroid patients (other than thyrotoxicosis). Usually, it takes three to six months of treatment to see a complete resolution of the symptoms. Herbal therapy, though, may not work for ocular protrusion. Modifications to traditional formulas may be prescribed depending on the symptoms manifested by the patient

Conclusion
Herbal formulas used by TCM practitioners offer reliable and consistent benefits in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. The effects of herbal therapy, once the condition of the patient is stabilized and despite the slower effects of the herbs, compare to conventional treatments. The empirical formula for hyperthyroidism can be prescribed to deflate the thyroid swelling and lessen the symptoms of sympathetic excess. This means that herbal remedies can be considered ideal treatment alternatives for patients who do not want to be treated with Western medicine or who are not able to tolerate it.