According to information gathered by ayurvedic practitioners, thyroid problems are on the rise today. This increase is in part due to the more and more hectic lifestyles people engage in today, and it is also because of a lack of proper nutrients in the soil. Many people are affected by hypothyroidism, which is an under-productive thyroid condition, and do not even realize it.

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid is overactive. The thyroid itself is a small gland that is located near the base of your throat. While the thyroid is such a small gland, its importance to the body is actually quite enormous because it is the organ that regulates our hormones. When the thyroid is not working properly, our body is not producing, or in some cases, is overproducing, certain hormones.

This imbalance can cause all sorts of problems for us. Ayurvedic medicine seeks to restore balance to our bodies by returning the doshas, or humors as they are called in Western medicine, to their correct levels.

Here are some signs associated with a low-functioning thyroid

• High levels of lethargy

• Coldness in the hands and/or feet

• Frequent constipation, headaches

• Dry skin

• Obesity is also sometimes related to thyroid dysfunction

The thyroid also controls the hormones that determine obesity and your cholesterol level, so it is important to keep your thyroid in check for many reasons.

Some of the recommended remedies for thyroid condition include:

• Coconut oil for hypothyroidism

• Practicing yoga; in particular the position Sarvangasna, or the shoulder stand

• Include guggul in the diet to stimulate the thyroid, if needed

First, a word of caution about adding the guggul extract to your diet. Before making any changes to your diet make sure you first consult with your primary physician or practitioner in case you are currently taking a medication that might have a negative interaction with the supplement.

Other herbs ayurvedic medicine suggests for thyroid condition include shilajita, jatamansi, and punarnava. These can be obtained by visiting your local health food store, herbalist, or a variety of Internet websites.

Other diet suggestions that might help your thyroid condition:

• Drink lots of hot ginger tea

• Eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables

• Avoid dairy and wheat products

• Avoid salty foods

Another beneficial yoga position is the hala asana, or plow position. Again, a note of caution must be inserted here. It is recommended that a woman who is menstruating should not perform this position. If you are interested in learning how to do these moves, there are many websites available that can teach you the proper techniques for doing them. Some of the better websites even have pictures to help you out.

Constipation is often a huge problem for people who suffer from thyroids. Triphala is an ayurvedic remedy for constipation. Triphala is made up of three fruits, amalaki, haritaki, and bibhitaki, which come from India. It is thought to balance the three doshas, or humors, in ayurvedic thought and is used as a remedy for many other things as well.