Ayurvedic treatment involves clearing these channels in order to balance body energies and restore the circulation of thyroxin. Herbal preparations are administered to increase the digestive fire at a cellular level, restoring proper metabolism.
Ayurveda groups all hormonal, metabolic and enzymatic activities to Pitta. Here, it is subtype of Pitta – Ranjak Pitta that directly regulates and influences the hormonal activity.
The Ayurvedic approach for Hypothyroidism treatment is:
- Providing stimulation to Thyroid so that it can gradually improve and restore the production of thyroid
- General cleansing of body
- Boost up of general metabolism of body
- Providing support to mind functioning, brain and nerves
- Uplifting the energy levels, boosting the balance of female or male hormones and sexual wellbeing
You can easily sum this approach as directing affecting or stimulating thyroid, providing support and boosting metabolism and cleansing the body.
In Ayurveda Thyroid Gland is named as “ Galaganda” , characterized by the swelling of neck. In Atharva Veda it is mentioned as Apachi. Charaka described it under 20 Sleshma Vikara. Shuhruta mentioned it in Sareera Sthana as the seven layers of the skin , the sixth layer Rohini is the seat of Galaganda. Nidana Sthana described it as two encapsulated small or big swellings in the anterior angle of the neck.
According to Ayurveda the Thyroid is located in the 6th tissue level which is called Majjadhatu. Majja is controlled by kapha dosha. Ayurveda principles says thyroid functions are controlled by Pitta Dosha. Pitta is responsible for all the metabolic actions carried out by the thyroid gland.
The dietary conditions , water , climatic conditions are the main causes of the Thyroid Dysfunctioning. The over functioning of the Thyroid gland is “ Hyperthyroidism” or Thyrotoxicosis while low functioning is “ Hypothyroidism “ or Myxodema. According to the descriptions in Ayurveda Galaganda is a condition related to thyroid gland. Either it is Hypo or Hyper.
Ayurveda doesn’t emphasize the exactly name the disease rather it insists on diagnosis of the constitutional status of the disease mentioned in Charaka.