5 Healing herbs and supplements that can help ease anxiety and boost thyroid health

05/14/2019 / By Michelle Simmons

One of the reasons why you feel anxious and sick is because you have too much of the stress hormone cortisol — which can wreak havoc on your thyroid and increase the risk of various health problems like anxiety. Here are some herbs and supplements that can regulate your cortisol levels.

Valerian root: Valerian root is used in herbal medicine for its ability to induce sleep. It works by regulating neurotransmitters in the brain and reducing anxiety and insomnia caused by stress. This herb is not habit-forming and can help address many types of sleep issues, such as poor sleep quality. (Related: Optimal Levels of Cortisol, Insulin and Thyroid are Essential to Vibrant Health.)
Lavender: Using lavender essential oil in aromatherapy can help regulate your stress levels. The scent of lavender has a calming effect. A study published in the journal Early Human Development suggested that the scent of lavender essential oil promotes sleep and reduces stress. In the study, researchers bathed infants with or without lavender-scented bath oil. The mothers in the lavender bath oil group were more relaxed and smiled and touched their infants more during the bath. Their children looked at them a higher percentage of the bath time, cried less, and spent more time in deep sleep after the bath. In addition, the cortisol levels of both the mothers and infants in this group dramatically declined, increasing the relaxation of the mothers and their infants. Lavender aromatherapy is also safe, natural, easy, and does not interact with medication or other supplements. In addition to baths, you can also diffuse lavender essential oil in your room while you sleep or at your desk while you work.
Fish oil: Fish oil supplements, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, can also help in decreasing cortisol levels. In addition, fish oil supplements are well-known for their ability to keep the heart healthy and fight inflammation. Not all fish oil supplements are made equally, so make sure that the supplement you will choose is sourced from wild-caught fish and does not contain fillers.
L-theanine: L-theanine is an amino acid that can be found in green tea and matcha. This amino acid is known to be effective in reducing anxiety because of its ability to reduce cortisol levels during and after stress. Avoid taking l-theanine during daytime and take it before bed instead because it can make you feel very relaxed and even sleepy. For best results, take it regularly to have lowered cortisol levels the next day.
Multivitamins: People dealing with chronic stress and cortisol problems may benefit from taking daily multivitamins. When choosing a multivitamin supplement, choose one that has more B vitamins. A study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found that micronutrient supplementation improves perceived stress, mild psychiatric symptoms, and mood, and those that contain more B vitamins may be more effective in improving mood.

Cortisol is good for the body when it is in balance, and sometimes high cortisol occurs because of the body’s natural response to threats of harm or danger. However, having high cortisol over a longer period can be harmful to your health and outweighs its good effects. High levels of cortisol also negatively affect metabolism and the growth and development of the body. Here are some of the general signs and symptoms of too much cortisol: