Hyperthyroidism: natural remedies and the evidence behind them

If a racing heart, tremor, muscle weakness, and fatigue are hitting hardest, L-carnitine acts as a peripheral blocker of thyroid hormone inside tissues and was tested for exactly these hyperthyroid symptoms.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, oral L-carnitine both reversed and helped prevent hyperthyroid symptoms such as palpitations, tremor, and weakness, and supported bone density measures. Use it alongside - not instead of - your prescribed thyroid treatment.

Dose or use Studied at 2-4 g daily by mouth; consult a healthcare practitioner, especially about timing around your thyroid medication.

Key study Randomized controlled trial (2001, PMID 11502782): Usefulness of L-carnitine, a naturally occurring peripheral antagonist of thyroid hormone action, in iatrogenic hyperthyroidism - a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which L-carnitine reversed and helped prevent hyperthyroid symptoms.

When a racing heart, anxiety, and poor sleep dominate, HT7 is the classic Heart-meridian point people press to calm the mind and settle palpitations.

Traditionally used in acupressure for anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia; a safe, drug-free self-care option not confirmed by controlled clinical trials for this condition.

Dose or use Press the point on the wrist crease (pinky side) with your thumb for 1-2 minutes, a few times daily.

Key study Traditionally used in acupressure to calm anxiety, palpitations, and insomnia; this use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

If your heart races or feels like it's pounding, PC6 is the go-to Pericardium point traditionally used to settle palpitations, chest tightness, and anxiety.

Traditionally used in acupressure for palpitations, anxiety, and nausea; a safe, drug-free self-care option not confirmed by controlled clinical trials for this condition.

Dose or use Press the point on the inner forearm, about three finger-widths above the wrist crease, for 1-2 minutes as needed.

Key study Traditionally used in acupressure for palpitations and anxiety; this use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

If a fast, pounding heart and anxiety are your biggest struggle, motherwort has a long traditional use for exactly that racing-heart, restless pattern.

Traditionally used to steady palpitations and ease nervous tension; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.

Key study Traditionally used for palpitations and anxiety; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

If a racing heart, tremor, muscle weakness, and fatigue are hitting hardest, L-carnitine acts as a peripheral blocker of thyroid hormone inside tissues and was tested for exactly these hyperthyroid symptoms.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, oral L-carnitine both reversed and helped prevent hyperthyroid symptoms such as palpitations, tremor, and weakness, and supported bone density measures. Use it alongside - not instead of - your prescribed thyroid treatment.

Dose or use Studied at 2-4 g daily by mouth; consult a healthcare practitioner, especially about timing around your thyroid medication.

Key study Randomized controlled trial (2001, PMID 11502782): Usefulness of L-carnitine, a naturally occurring peripheral antagonist of thyroid hormone action, in iatrogenic hyperthyroidism - a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which L-carnitine reversed and helped prevent hyperthyroid symptoms.

If you want broad support for thyroid balance, bugleweed is the traditional Western herb used specifically to calm excess thyroid activity and ease palpitations.

Traditionally used to reduce excess thyroid hormone activity and ease palpitations and tremor; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.

Key study Traditionally used for hyperthyroidism to reduce excess thyroid activity; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

For broad support, lemon balm is a gentle, calming herb traditionally used alongside bugleweed to take the edge off an overactive thyroid and ease anxiety and poor sleep.

Traditionally used to blunt overactive thyroid signaling and calm the nervous system, easing anxiety and insomnia; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

Dose or use Follow product labeling; often taken as a tea or capsule. Consult a healthcare practitioner.

Key study Its library profile lists hyperthyroidism, anxiety, and insomnia among traditional uses; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

If a racing heart, tremor, muscle weakness, and fatigue are hitting hardest, L-carnitine acts as a peripheral blocker of thyroid hormone inside tissues and was tested for exactly these hyperthyroid symptoms.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, oral L-carnitine both reversed and helped prevent hyperthyroid symptoms such as palpitations, tremor, and weakness, and supported bone density measures. Use it alongside - not instead of - your prescribed thyroid treatment.

Dose or use Studied at 2-4 g daily by mouth; consult a healthcare practitioner, especially about timing around your thyroid medication.

Key study Randomized controlled trial (2001, PMID 11502782): Usefulness of L-carnitine, a naturally occurring peripheral antagonist of thyroid hormone action, in iatrogenic hyperthyroidism - a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which L-carnitine reversed and helped prevent hyperthyroid symptoms.

Selenium is most relevant if your hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease, particularly if you also have mild eye involvement (Graves' orbitopathy), where randomized trials show it can help. It has not been shown to calm the thyroid overactivity itself.

A meta-analysis of randomized trials found selenium improved mild Graves' eye disease, including quality of life. A separate large trial did not find that selenium improved hyperthyroidism remission, so think of it as supportive care and as a way to correct a low selenium level, not as a treatment for the overactive thyroid.

Dose or use 100–200 mcg daily (as selenomethionine); consult a healthcare practitioner for your situation.

Key study Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs (2024, PMID 39138905): The efficacy and safety of selenium supplementation versus placebo in the treatment of Graves' orbitopathy - selenium lowered the clinical activity score and improved quality of life. A separate large RCT (GRASS) found no effect on Graves' hyperthyroidism remission.

Selenium is most relevant if your hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease, particularly if you also have mild eye involvement (Graves' orbitopathy), where randomized trials show it can help. It has not been shown to calm the thyroid overactivity itself.

A meta-analysis of randomized trials found selenium improved mild Graves' eye disease, including quality of life. A separate large trial did not find that selenium improved hyperthyroidism remission, so think of it as supportive care and as a way to correct a low selenium level, not as a treatment for the overactive thyroid.

Dose or use 100–200 mcg daily (as selenomethionine); consult a healthcare practitioner for your situation.

Key study Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs (2024, PMID 39138905): The efficacy and safety of selenium supplementation versus placebo in the treatment of Graves' orbitopathy - selenium lowered the clinical activity score and improved quality of life. A separate large RCT (GRASS) found no effect on Graves' hyperthyroidism remission.

If you have Graves' disease or immune-driven hyperthyroidism, checking your selenium status is a practical first step since low levels may undermine thyroid immune regulation.

If you're low in selenium, correcting that deficiency can help support the body's ability to manage thyroid-related immune activity.

Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.

Key study Correcting a documented shortfall can support recovery; this is a root-cause check, not a treatment claim — ask your provider to test your levels.

If your hyperthyroidism is immune-driven like Graves', low vitamin D shows up often and may leave immune regulation less steady, so it is worth checking your level.

Correcting a documented vitamin D shortfall supports normal immune regulation; this is a root-cause check, not a treatment claim.

Dose or use Ask your provider for a simple blood test, then supplement only to correct a confirmed shortfall.

Key study Vitamin D deficiency is frequently observed in Graves'/autoimmune thyroid disease; correcting a confirmed shortfall supports immune balance. This is a root-cause check, not a proven treatment.

Selenium is most relevant if your hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease, particularly if you also have mild eye involvement (Graves' orbitopathy), where randomized trials show it can help. It has not been shown to calm the thyroid overactivity itself.

A meta-analysis of randomized trials found selenium improved mild Graves' eye disease, including quality of life. A separate large trial did not find that selenium improved hyperthyroidism remission, so think of it as supportive care and as a way to correct a low selenium level, not as a treatment for the overactive thyroid.

Dose or use 100–200 mcg daily (as selenomethionine); consult a healthcare practitioner for your situation.

Key study Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs (2024, PMID 39138905): The efficacy and safety of selenium supplementation versus placebo in the treatment of Graves' orbitopathy - selenium lowered the clinical activity score and improved quality of life. A separate large RCT (GRASS) found no effect on Graves' hyperthyroidism remission.

If you have Graves' disease or immune-driven hyperthyroidism, checking your selenium status is a practical first step since low levels may undermine thyroid immune regulation.

If you're low in selenium, correcting that deficiency can help support the body's ability to manage thyroid-related immune activity.

Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.

Key study Correcting a documented shortfall can support recovery; this is a root-cause check, not a treatment claim — ask your provider to test your levels.

If your hyperthyroidism is immune-driven like Graves', low vitamin D shows up often and may leave immune regulation less steady, so it is worth checking your level.

Correcting a documented vitamin D shortfall supports normal immune regulation; this is a root-cause check, not a treatment claim.

Dose or use Ask your provider for a simple blood test, then supplement only to correct a confirmed shortfall.

Key study Vitamin D deficiency is frequently observed in Graves'/autoimmune thyroid disease; correcting a confirmed shortfall supports immune balance. This is a root-cause check, not a proven treatment.

When a racing heart, anxiety, and poor sleep dominate, HT7 is the classic Heart-meridian point people press to calm the mind and settle palpitations.

Traditionally used in acupressure for anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia; a safe, drug-free self-care option not confirmed by controlled clinical trials for this condition.

Dose or use Press the point on the wrist crease (pinky side) with your thumb for 1-2 minutes, a few times daily.

Key study Traditionally used in acupressure to calm anxiety, palpitations, and insomnia; this use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

For broad support, lemon balm is a gentle, calming herb traditionally used alongside bugleweed to take the edge off an overactive thyroid and ease anxiety and poor sleep.

Traditionally used to blunt overactive thyroid signaling and calm the nervous system, easing anxiety and insomnia; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

Dose or use Follow product labeling; often taken as a tea or capsule. Consult a healthcare practitioner.

Key study Its library profile lists hyperthyroidism, anxiety, and insomnia among traditional uses; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

If a fast, pounding heart and anxiety are your biggest struggle, motherwort has a long traditional use for exactly that racing-heart, restless pattern.

Traditionally used to steady palpitations and ease nervous tension; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.

Key study Traditionally used for palpitations and anxiety; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

When a racing heart, anxiety, and poor sleep dominate, HT7 is the classic Heart-meridian point people press to calm the mind and settle palpitations.

Traditionally used in acupressure for anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia; a safe, drug-free self-care option not confirmed by controlled clinical trials for this condition.

Dose or use Press the point on the wrist crease (pinky side) with your thumb for 1-2 minutes, a few times daily.

Key study Traditionally used in acupressure to calm anxiety, palpitations, and insomnia; this use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

If your heart races or feels like it's pounding, PC6 is the go-to Pericardium point traditionally used to settle palpitations, chest tightness, and anxiety.

Traditionally used in acupressure for palpitations, anxiety, and nausea; a safe, drug-free self-care option not confirmed by controlled clinical trials for this condition.

Dose or use Press the point on the inner forearm, about three finger-widths above the wrist crease, for 1-2 minutes as needed.

Key study Traditionally used in acupressure for palpitations and anxiety; this use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

If you want broad support for thyroid balance, bugleweed is the traditional Western herb used specifically to calm excess thyroid activity and ease palpitations.

Traditionally used to reduce excess thyroid hormone activity and ease palpitations and tremor; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.

Key study Traditionally used for hyperthyroidism to reduce excess thyroid activity; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

For broad support, lemon balm is a gentle, calming herb traditionally used alongside bugleweed to take the edge off an overactive thyroid and ease anxiety and poor sleep.

Traditionally used to blunt overactive thyroid signaling and calm the nervous system, easing anxiety and insomnia; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

Dose or use Follow product labeling; often taken as a tea or capsule. Consult a healthcare practitioner.

Key study Its library profile lists hyperthyroidism, anxiety, and insomnia among traditional uses; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

If a fast, pounding heart and anxiety are your biggest struggle, motherwort has a long traditional use for exactly that racing-heart, restless pattern.

Traditionally used to steady palpitations and ease nervous tension; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.

Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.

Key study Traditionally used for palpitations and anxiety; this specific use has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.