- Ashwagandha
• Benefits: Ashwagandha is an adaptogen — it helps balance stress hormones (like cortisol), which is key because chronic stress can worsen Hashimoto’s and weaken the thyroid. It may also support healthy T3 and T4 thyroid hormone levels.
• How to Use:
• Capsules (typically 300–600 mg daily)
• Organic ashwagandha powder stirred into smoothies, almond milk, or warm tea.
• Best taken in the morning or early afternoon.
Caution: Some people with very active autoimmune flares may need to monitor reactions with ashwagandha carefully — always start low.
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- Turmeric (Curcumin)
• Benefits: Turmeric is a powerhouse anti-inflammatory herb. It reduces systemic inflammation, which is at the heart of Hashimoto’s. Curcumin (the active compound) also helps modulate immune system responses.
• How to Use:
• Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of organic turmeric powder to teas, soups, golden milk (with coconut milk), or smoothies.
• Combine with black pepper to enhance absorption (just a pinch).
Tip: Try making Golden Milk: coconut milk + turmeric + black pepper + cinnamon — a perfect anti-inflammatory evening drink.
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- Holy Basil (Tulsi)
• Benefits: Holy Basil is another adaptogen herb that supports immune health, reduces stress, and protects the thyroid from oxidative damage. It helps balance blood sugar too, which is crucial for people with Hashimoto’s.
• How to Use:
• Brew Holy Basil tea: steep 1–2 teaspoons dried tulsi leaves in hot water for 5–10 minutes.
• Available also in capsules for daily supplementation.
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- Ginger
• Benefits: Ginger is both an immune booster and an anti-inflammatory. It improves digestion (important because Hashimoto’s often affects gut function) and reduces joint and muscle pain often associated with thyroid dysfunction.
• How to Use:
• Fresh ginger slices steeped into tea.
• Grated into stir-fries, soups, or smoothies.
• Ginger shots with lemon in the morning for immune-boosting power.
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- Licorice Root
• Benefits: Licorice root supports adrenal health, which often gets depleted when dealing with Hashimoto’s and chronic stress. It also soothes the gut lining (important if there’s leaky gut, a common co-condition in autoimmune diseases).
• How to Use:
• Herbal tea: boil dried licorice root for 5–10 minutes and sip warm.
• Found in herbal blends for adrenal support.
Caution: Licorice root can raise blood pressure in sensitive people — always use short-term unless advised otherwise.
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- Schisandra Berries
• Benefits: Schisandra is a lesser-known adaptogen that supports liver health and detox pathways, important for proper thyroid hormone metabolism. It also boosts energy, resilience, and reduces inflammation.
• How to Use:
• Schisandra powder or capsules.
• Add 1 teaspoon of schisandra berry powder into smoothies or warm teas.
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- Nettle Leaf
• Benefits: Nettle is extremely rich in minerals (iron, magnesium, potassium) that are often low in Hashimoto’s sufferers. It also reduces inflammation and supports better circulation.
• How to Use:
• Steep dried nettle leaves into a nourishing tea (very mild and earthy in flavor).
• 1–2 cups per day are perfect for mineral replenishment.
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- Reishi Mushroom
• Benefits: Technically a functional mushroom, but used as an herbal remedy. Reishi modulates the immune system — meaning it helps calm an overactive immune attack without suppressing necessary defenses.
It’s calming and can support better sleep too.
• How to Use:
• Reishi powder mixed into warm drinks (cacao blends, lattes).
• Reishi extract capsules (often combined with other adaptogens)