Use Rhubarb to Naturally Improve the Health of your Thyroid

A healthy thyroid is fundamental for the overall well-being of the body because its hormones are used in several processes of the body. The many beneficial properties of rhubarb can help keep your thyroid healthy.

Reviewed and approved by the doctor Maricela Jiménez López.

Written by Ivan Aranaga Amengual

Last update: 26 May, 2022

This article will focus on exploring the benefits that rhubarb has for the thyroid gland to help you have a healthier thyroid. However, first let’s take a look at a little background information about the thyroid gland.

The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland that’s vitally important to the body. Overall, it secretes many hormones, including thyroxine, which are involved in many processes of the body and help regulate metabolism.

The thyroid gland is located on the trachea, above the clavicle. The hormones that the thyroid gland produces are vital to the body functioning correctly and affect almost all tissues of the body. Overall, thyroid hormones affect growth, nervous system development, the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, and more.

Since the thyroid affects so much of the body, it’s very important not to neglect its health. In addition, it’s also why doctors will frequently check the thyroid when anything goes wrong with the body. Any sort of thyroid failure or disease would result in complications that would affect daily life.

Common symptoms of thyroid problems include sudden mood swings and erratic weight gain or loss.

Is the Thyroid Gland Really that Important?

The thyroid is vital to the body. However, what exactly does the thyroid gland affect?

The thyroid gland affects both the body and the mind. When this organ is not functioning properly, it can cause anything from changes in weight to mood swings and even anatomical changes (like a goiter).

The hormones that it secretes regulate the metabolism and the nervous system. Therefore, any problem with the gland can result in irritability, problems with concentration, fatigue, depression, and it will ultimately affect your quality of life.

Common Symptoms of a Thyroid Problem

Overall, there are six common symptoms that can alert you early on to any possible thyroid problem:

• Sudden changes in weight.
• Intermittent cramps.
• Changes in mood without any reason (fatigue, sadness, etc.).
• Hair loss, weak nails, or color change in hair or nails.
• Being abnormally warm or cold.
• Changes in your menstrual cycle.

Diseases that Affect the Thyroid

• Hyperthyroidism: The thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormone.
• Hypothyroidism: In this case, the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones for the body.
• Goiter: An abnormal enlargement of the gland.
• Cancer.
• Nodules.
• Thyroiditis: An inflammation of the thyroid gland.

The diagnosis of these disorders must be made by a doctor or specialist. Physical examinations and tests must be done to diagnosis these disorders and give any kind of treatment. In some cases, it may be necessary to perform a biopsy, certain therapies, surgery, or radioactive iodine treatment.

Rhubarb and the Thyroid Gland

Rhubarb is a plant that may contain medicinal properties. It can be cooked several different ways: in desserts, as an accompaniment to meat and fish, steamed, and baked. Its stem and roots have a high mineral and vitamin content that certain anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-constipation, and purifying and detoxing properties.

However, in this article we’ll explore how its properties can make your thyroid healthier.

Goiters and Thyroid Inflammation

Rhubarb has a high concentration of emodin, a natural substance that has laxative and anti-inflammatory properties. If you notice any growth or inflammation of the thyroid, you can try eating rhubarb as a first step. 

However, always remember that it’s necessary to see a doctor or specialist to diagnosis any disease.

A Source of Vitamins

The thyroid functions best when it has sufficient minerals and vitamins. Including rhubarb in your diet can help you obtain necessary nutrients and vitamins that will help the thyroid function better.

Rhubarb is full of nutrients, a few that are important to note include:

• Vitamins (A, C, K, E and B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B9)
• Minerals (phosphorous, iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, selenium, zinc, potassium, and sodium)

Cleansing

As a result of pollution, bad habits, and diet, various heavy metals and toxins constantly enter our body. This harms the thyroid and, as a result, your metabolism and other bodily functions.

To prevent this, you can “cleanse” our thyroid. In this case, rhubarb’s purifying and detoxing properties combined with its fibrous texture make it almost like a natural cleanse for the thyroid gland. 

The rhubarb root contains a high concentration of tannins. Tannins help purify toxins and remove free radicals from the body, and it also acts as an anti-inflammatory.

Possible Thyroid Cancer Prevention

Thanks to rhubarb’s apparent ability to eradicate free radicals and reduce the damage they do to cell tissue that can lead to cancer, rhubarb may be able to help prevent thyroid cancer.

As can be clearly seen, rhubarb is a great food to add to any diet due to its various benefits not only for the thyroid, but for the body as a whole. Remember that keeping the thyroid healthy is vital to keeping the rest of your body healthy.