When I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease, without question the most uncomfortable symptoms I had were the increased heart rate and the palpitations. Even though I knew right away that I was going to follow a natural treatment protocol, I still was considering taking a beta blocker (Propranolol) to control these symptoms, along with the anti-thyroid drug Methimazole. I decided to hold off and give the natural treatment methods a few weeks to kick in, making the decision that if my symptoms persisted that I would go ahead and take the prescription drugs.
Fortunately the natural treatment methods worked quickly with regards to controlling the symptoms, and the primary herb that helped with the increased heart rate and palpitations was Bugleweed. While it took a few months until all of my symptoms were completely gone, I can honestly say that Bugleweed was the main herb that prevented me from having to take the prescription drugs. Of course this wasn’t the only thing I took during this protocol, as I took multiple nutritional supplements and herbs, as well as modified my diet, and changed other lifestyle factors as well.
However, if there is a “magic” potion for hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease, then Bugleweed is it. Once again, this doesn’t mean that simply taking Bugleweed will cure your condition, as while taking it alone might help to manage the symptoms, if you want to restore your health back to normal then you will need to do more than taking a single herb.
As for what dosage I took, I began by taking 5ml of the liquid herb, two times daily. I was on the herb for a few months, and when I weaned myself off I eventually took 5ml one time each day, and then 2.5 ml before stopping completely. I’m of course not suggesting that anyone reading this with a hyperthyroid condition take Bugleweed, as you really should consult with a natural endocrine doctor first. This is especially true if you have Graves’ Disease, but even if you have a “typical” case of hyperthyroidism you still should speak with an expert.
While taking the correct liquid herbs can really help with your thyroid condition, one thing to keep in mind is that most of them taste nasty. As a result, if you take liquid herbs then you will want to either “down it” quickly like a shot, or mix it with some juice, or another drink in order. I chose the latter option, as I would add the Bugleweed to my protein drink, which did a great job of masking the taste.
Obviously I was thrilled with the results I received while following a natural treatment protocol, but besides being concerned initially as to whether or not such a protocol would be effective, another fear I had is the fear that my symptoms would return once I stopped taking supplements and herbs, especially Bugleweed. So as I weaned myself off of this herb I was worried that the increased heart rate and palpitations would return, but fortunately they didn’t.
So if you have hyperthyroidism or Graves’ Disease and are thinking about following a natural treatment protocol, then chances are Bugleweed will be one of the herbs you will be told to take, along with numerous others. Just like any other supplement or herb, the quality is extremely important. I say this because even though I strongly recommend not to treat your thyroid condition on your own, I know some people will look to buy some Bugleweed anyway. And many will purchase a low quality liquid herb, and then not understand why it doesn’t work.
Finally, this herb is only for people with a hyperthyroid disorder, and is contraindicated for a hypothyroid condition, including Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. If you have a hypothyroid condition and take Bugleweed, not only won’t it help you, but it might worsen your condition. And if you have a hyperthyroid condition and are taking other supplements and/or medications, you’ll once again need to be cautious about taking this. Quality liquid herbs can be very powerful, but they can be somewhat dangerous at times as well, which is why speaking with a holistic doctor who focuses on endocrine disorders is a wise thing to do.
Thanks, I think I have been taking too little of this. 5ml is actually more than the label recommends. I am also working with an acupuncture doctor who prescribes herbs but I am cautious about taking them right now.
The Bugleweed dropper has no measures on it so I am using a plastic syringe barrel to measure.
Yeah, you definitely want to be careful when it comes to taking herbs. They can do wonders, but if you’re not cautious they can also cause some problems as well, especially when you mix them together.
Im just one month in hyperthyroid condition… confirmed high numbers and symptons… ive been to endocronologist who gave beta blocker and tapazole… heart rate has been as high as 135 resting, so tapazole helped… but cant take side effects… bugleweed has come up every wher… so please elaborate on quality sourse… im much better with supplements and lifestyle adapt…. but the cause can only behealed, and its toxicity,, my immunoglobins are high…thanks sam pignato im open to go and do all to get my health back… cause: sucralose and extreme bodybuilder supplements gNC
Hi Sam,
Are you asking about finding a quality type of Bugleweed? I personally used and recommend to others the mediherb line from Standard Process. Some people need a combination of Bugleweed and Motherwort to manage the symptoms.
Thanks for this and other articles talking about Hyperthyroid (I have Graves disiase and hyperthyroid). I tried the natural way, but never found anyone that could really help (went to 2), so i went back to my endocrinologis who prescribed me PTU – 50mh 2 pills twice a day. I don’t really have simptoms other than nervousness and infertility (the second is just an assumption from my Ginecologist). I got my exams today..
Comp. Metabolic Panel (14)
CBC, Platelet; No Differential
Thyroxine (T4) Free, Direct, S
TSH
Thyroid Stim Immunoglobulin
Triiodothyronine,Free,Serum
Venipuncture
Would these exams be enough for us to have a consultation over the phone (since i live in TX), and you tell me if I am a candidate for your natural tratment?
Thanks,
Hey!
6 months ago I was diagnosed with Graves Disease and The doctor prescribed methomazole for me to take but I’m loosing hair and I’ve always had nice hair and I was trying to find a natural endocrinologist. Could you direct me to the one you spoke with. I live in TN and I know I will probably have to talk to a holistic endocrinologist over the phone as you suggested in one of your articles I read!. Thank you so much for your articles! I just can’t find any holistic doctors.
Thanks!
Hi Alliesha,
I’m glad you have enjoyed reading my articles. Although a lot of the protocols I use are from Dr. Janet Lang, who also is a chiropractor who focuses on endocrine disorders, I didn’t consult with a natural endocrinologist, as while there are some holistic medical doctors who see a lot of patients with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid disorders (i.e. Dr. David Brownstein), I’m not aware of any endocrinologists who focus on natural treatment methods, as just about all of them will recommend antithyroid medication or radioactive iodine.
I’ve been taking bugleweed in a combination with Motherwort and Lemon Balm for about a week. It helps a lot to control symptoms. I’ve found that cabbage juice–a cup or two a day–is also helpful.
My hyperthyroidism was caused by iodine deficiency, I’m pretty sure. I am also taking 1200-1500 mcg iodine per day, in a liquid kelp supplement form.
I’m hoping this treatment will work an eventual cure. Even with alleviating the symptoms, I have some other problems that are not helped–weakness and fatigue, and raging hunger combined with weight loss, if I don’t keep the calories coming in.
Hi, told i have Hashimoto’s but all my symptoms pointer to hyper, fast heart rate, short ess of breath, tremors, raging hunger, hair loss. All my tests come negativa, Free t4, t3, TSI, TSH, TPOab, only once i has high ab in the TPO (i think that was the test) my endo said i have Hashimoto’s going crazy with the symptoms and mystery about tests. Have tajen many herbs although not too consistent. Any feedback?
Thank you
Khali
Hi Khali,
Have you had the TSH receptor antibodies (TSI antibodies) tested for Graves’ Disease? Some people have the antibodies for both Hashimoto’s and Graves’, and can thus fluctuate between the two conditions. Plus, even though you said everything was negative, if the thyroid hormone levels were on the high side, but still within the normal reference range, then this can still cause hyperthyroid symptoms.
As I have been taking two different herbal tinctures for hyperthyroid for about 3 weeks now, I have been feeling somewhat better in energy but there has been almost no change in my pulse until this past Sunday. That was the day I added to everything else (which is quite a lot) the Standard Process Bugleweed, Motherwort and Eluethero sp? I was advised by my chiro to use 9 parts Bugleweed, 5 parts Motherwort, 6 parts Eluethero. That day my usual resting pulse of 90-100 or more went down into the 80s. On Monday, it went into the 70s. Today, Tuesday, it is in the low 80s. These are numbers I haven’t seen since before I started monitoring my blood pressure/pulse back in Dec. of 2012 when I realized I had a serious problem. This is a woman who always had pulses in the 60-low 70s. The other wonderful thing is that since last Jan. I have had swollen feet and ankles, sometimes going up into the thighs. Not anymore!!! I started coffee enemas 12 days ago. And after the second consecutive day, my feet were normal and have stayed that way.
On a different note, can you have Graves and it not show up on the tests? My eyes are bulging and particularly my right one, however, the tests have been done twice and they are negative.
Mary,
I’m glad the herbs and coffee enemas have helped! The thyroid antibodies test for Graves’ Disease can be negative, even when someone has the condition. Were the thyroid hormone levels within normal limits as well?
Mary, yes, you can take a test and it may not show up sometimes! There is a self test you can do at home, that i have been told is actually more accurate than the blood test.
In the morning, before rising, have a thermometer beside you ready. Take your temp under your arm for at least 5 minutes. this is if you use one of those mercurythermometers. I’m not sure how accurate digital one is. But your temperature range should be 97.6 to 98.2. If it is lower it is hypo, higher means hyper.
Also, for anyone struggling with thyroid problems, i highly rrecommend metabolic thyro, or vegetarian thyro, both by food brand. I struggled with undiagnosed hyperthyroid for whobknows how long. I took the vegetarian thyro for a year and doing ccompletely better. I supplemented this with liquid kelp.
I have recently been diagnosed with Graves Disease and would like to try some kind of natural treatment. I’m concerned that quality of the liquid herbs like Bugleweed, Lemon Balm and Motherwort will be of lesser quality than what I need. I saw that you used Mediherb from Standard Process so I went to the website, but I was unable to see or order their products. I think only Health Care professionals can order from this site. I also checked Amazon and did not see what I was looking for in the Mediherb line. I’m unable to find any holistic doctors in my area (DC/Northern VA). How can I go about getting some products from Mediherb?
Hi Alex,
Herb Pharm actually has some good quality herbs. I prefer MediHerb because they are more potent. And so while you can get the Bugleweed and Motherwort from Herb Pharm on your own, you will need to be working with a chiropractor, naturopath, or a different healthcare professional to get the MediHerb brand.
Hi Dr. I am already on your email list but wanted to know why is Bugleweed is helpful. On the Native remedies website, they state that this herb lowers TSH levels. Hyperthyroid people already have low TSH levels, so why is this helpful? Also, going by my symptoms, I believe I am hyperthyroid. Going by numbers, my endo does not think so. (TSH 0.98 and FT4 is 1.7 (range is 1.8). I have major hair loss (70%), hand tremors, palpitations, weight loss, feeling overheated and then chilled, irritated eyes, insomnia, depression, fatigue, lost all eyelashes, low morning cortisol. I am taking Motherwort and Melissa Lemon Balm in capsule form for a month now, no improvement. Thank you.
Hi Jan,
It sounds like Native remedies made a mistake on their website. Bugleweed is well known to lower thyroid hormone levels, which in turn eventually causes the TSH to increase. You definitely seem more “hyper” than “hypo” based on your test results and symptoms. As you mentioned, most people with hyperthyroidism have depressed, and frequently undetectable TSH levels. Even though your FT4 levels are on the high side, since they fall within the normal reference range and the TSH is also normal, your endocrinologist doesn’t consider you to have hyperthyroidism. But of course it’s crazy to wait until the labs get outside of the reference range before taking any action. If they haven’t done so already I would have the TSH receptor antibodies tested, and of course would do another follow-up thyroid panel soon, and include the FT3.
Hi Dr.! After reading your article and replies to queries, i now have high hopes for the treatment of graves’ disease. I was diagnosed last April for hyperthyroidism, came july it was graves’ disease already. I would really want to try herbal medications for this since i want to have a baby next year. I’m from the Philippines and i just hope to find some open-minded endo who will help me with the herbal treatment. As of now, my doctor is simply playing with the dosage to determine which will help normalize my tsh level. The palpitations are really awful. I hope to buy bugleweed online, which do you recommend. Thanks in advance.
Hi Jona,
There aren’t too many options with regards to bugleweed. Many of my patients have used the Herb Pharm brand, which has a good quality bugleweed. However, for some patients this isn’t potent enough, and for some patients I recommend the Mediherb brand of bugleweed, which is a stronger extract, but is only available through healthcare professionals.
Hi mam. Have you tried taking it already? Im also from the Philippines
Hi Dr Eric ,
I have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism since one year .There are nodular enlargement in my both the lobes. I did not have any symptoms but a little weight loss of 2 kilograms.
Endocrinologist advised me to take carbimazole 5 mg twice a day.
after the medication its really a hell.I have hoarseness of voice, breathless and also enlargement in front of neck, body ache. When i stop medicine every thing comes to normal but T4 level increases in blood.( i go to lab every two months as directed by endocrinologist) TSH IS LESS THAN 0.01 , cant take cabrimazole at all. My endocrinologist say I must take.I always feel having hyperthyroid symtoms is better than taking meds and feel more sick.I have good appitite now no waight loss, very good sleep, no palpitation , no tremors but when I take carbimazole every bad symptom starts appearing . very happy to take natural medicines . Could you please help me?
Kind regards
Ritu
It’s kinda of hard to look for such herbs here in the Philippines.
Hi Doctor,
My mum has been having severe hand tremors for over a year now without any other noticeable syptoms, but about three months ago, she started losing weight rapidly, and has lost around 10 kilos already. She’s had some blood tests done, and it turns out she has Grave’s. We live in Spain, so I took her to my holistic doctor and to two different conventional endocronilogists to see what they would say (they both said pretty much the same thing, they gave her a tablet). My doctor obviously told her to go off gluten and dairy (which she hasn’t done completely), he’s given her B Complex, Vitamin D, Magnesium and some homeopathic granules. But after a lot of research, I found out about the amazing benefits of Bugleweed and Motherwort for Grave’s. I consulted my doctor before giving my mother the tinctures (I got her the Herb Pharm ones). She’s been on them for over a week now, but her palpitations have slightly increased and her hand tremors haven’t improved. I’m not sure I’m giving her the right dose, she’s taking about 5 ml a day, maybe even less. Is that enough or should she be taking more?
I would really appreciate your help. Thank you very much!
Dima
Dr. Eric, I have not been diagnosed with Graves but have had hyperthyroid symptoms for over 1 year. Since I began taking bugleweed, my insomnia and heart palpitations have gone away. However, I’m still experiencing agitation, extreme hair loss, and now swollen eyelids on a daily basis. My TSH has gone up since starting the bugleweed. Is it possible to have a normal TSH but still be affected by hyperthyroidism? I also have a thyroid nodule that is not cystic, but cannot get an appointment with an endocrinologist because my TSH is over 1. I’m afraid that if I stop the bugleweed, I will have a thyroid storm.
i am growing plants of both bugleweed and lemon balm. i plan on dosing with making teas. was not planning on buying it in a bottle. Can you please, if you know, explain a dosage other than buying in a bottle? Do i cut 2 or three leaves for a pot of tea? cut 10 leaves? 100? y
David, I can’t say that I have experience making my own bugleweed, and so I honestly don’t know how many leaves you would need.
I am recovering from Graves. Following one year of carbimizole my meds will be ending in the next couple of months or so, as I am now recovering (symptoms/Levels/antibodies). I have just began drinking bugleweed teabags and lemon balm teabags to retain balance and health. My endocrinologist has given this the ok. How many teabags are required and safe to drink daily? Can this be taken long-term? Are supplements more beneficial?
Herbal teas aren’t as potent as the extract. Some people do fine with a 1:5 extract ratio of bugleweed, but when I was dealing with Graves’ disease I took a 1:2 extract. I personally took bugleweed and motherwort for 8 or 9 months, although some of my patients have taken it longer than a year.