By Setareh Kiumarsi
What should I eat, and what should I avoid?
Is your thyroid underactive?
Thyroid
The following foods can slow down thyroid function; try to minimize their intake as much as possible:
Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, kale, cucumber, watermelon, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, peanuts, gluten, white flour, sugar, soy and soy-based products like tofu and plant-based proteins, cheese and yogurt, vinegar, and pickles.
In Ayurveda, hypothyroidism is understood as an increase in cold qualities within the body. For long-term healing, both your diet and lifestyle need to be thoroughly reviewed and adjusted by a traditional medicine practitioner. However, there are a few general strategies to help increase warmth (heat) in the body:
Minimize your intake of cow’s dairy, gluten (especially foods made with white flour, sugar, and dairy), and rice.
Use plenty of balanced spices in your cooking:
Fennel, cumin, saffron, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, thyme, rosemary, and more.
Increase your intake of fibrous vegetables during meals. Try to include fresh greens with lunch and dinner, such as parsley, basil, cress, savory, and spinach.
Always eat digestive salad alongside your meals.
Strictly avoid drinking cold water (even room temperature water). The water you drink must always be warm or hot.
Starting two hours after each meal, drink a glass of warm water or digestive tea every hour.
Home Remedies
Is your thyroid underactive?
As mentioned, hypothyroidism in Ayurveda stems from excess cold energy in the body. Deep healing requires proper evaluation and dietary/lifestyle modification by a traditional healer. But what are some home remedies you can try?
Every morning, gently massage your thyroid area with black seed oil in circular, clockwise motions for five minutes.
Combine the following ingredients in powder form using the specified ratios:
Cinnamon (1) + orange peel (3) + black seed (1) + ginger (1/8) + turmeric (1)
Every day, mix one teaspoon of this blend with a little warm water to make a thin paste. Apply it as a poultice to your thyroid area and leave it on for 15–20 minutes. (Note: this is a very potent remedy. If you’re also taking thyroid medication, make sure to test your thyroid levels after a month—it may shift toward overactivity.)
As much as possible, keep your neck warm with a scarf to maintain warmth around the thyroid.
Please be sure to credit the author, Setareh Kiumarsi, when sharing or republishing this article, which was written with love and the hope of well-being for all.
