Essential Oils for Hashimoto’s – Vibrant Blue Oils

I have suffered from an autoimmune thyroid disease known as Hashimoto’s for the lastdecade.

During that time, I have been constantly searching for strategies to help put my Hashimoto’s into remission. I frequently test my thyroid antibodies—Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb ) and Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb)—via bloodwork.

High levels of these antibodies indicate Hashimoto’s. Lowering the level of these antibodies correlates with lowering the autoimmune reaction present in Hashimoto’s. This is what I suspect people are referring to when they talk about reversing Hashimoto’s—reducing the antibody count to normal levels.

After a decade of trial and error, I finally found an essential oil strategy that I believe may help me put my Hashimoto’s into remission.

What is Hashimoto’s?

Hashimoto’s disease or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder that often results in an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism. The condition is named after Dr. Hakaru Hashimoto, who identified it in 1912.

If you suffer from Hashimoto’s disease, your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland by producing antibodies that attack the healthy tissue of your thyroid, causing inflammation and damaging the gland.

When the thyroid becomes damaged, the functions of your thyroid gland can be negatively impacted. For example, your thyroid may become underactive or even stop producing the thyroid hormone, a condition known as hypothyroidism.

Over time, these antibodies reacting against thyroid gland proteins may cause the gradual destruction of the thyroid gland itself, resulting in reduced thyroid hormone production. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. “Hypo-” means “low” or “under,” and it presents as a slowing down of various bodily functions.

What Does Thyroid Do?

Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck below your Adam’s apple and just above the breastbone.

Your thyroid is part of your endocrine system. It releases two hormones—thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) that help regulate the rate at which your body converts food and oxygen into energy (controlling the speed of your metabolism) along with the rate at which almost every tissue in the body—including your heart, brain, muscles, and other organs—function.

In most cases of Hashimoto’s disease, your thyroid can’t produce enough thyroid hormone for your body. This slows down your metabolism and causes a range of symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of Hashimoto’s

Hashimoto’s attacks your thyroid to the point that the gland may no longer produce enough thyroid hormones for your body to function correctly. When thyroid hormone production drops, virtually all of your body processes slow down and change, resulting in the following symptoms:

• Unexplained weight gain
• Increased sensitivity to cold /Feel cold quickly, especially in extremities, like hands and feet
• Rough, dry, or cracked skin or brittle nails
• Easily fatigued, sleepy/tired (fatigue), lethargy, and excessive sleeping
• Mentally sluggish, lack of initiative or depression
• Digestive issues like constipation and bloating
• Hair loss, slow hair growth, changes in hair’s texture, or hair thinning
• Memory problems or difficulty concentrating
• Heavy or irregular periods.
• Decreased libido (sex drive)
• Low or depressed mood
• Frequent urination and excessive thirst
• Stiffness and swelling in the joints
• Less energy than you used to or can’t exercise as much or as long as you once did
• Brain fog or problems remembering things
• Changes in the menstrual cycle, including absent or irregular periods and problems with infertility
• More frequent colds, infections, or illnesses due to low immune function
• Muscle weakness, aches and tenderness

What Causes Hashimoto’s?

To help reverse Hashimoto’s, it is essential to understand what causes the issue.

Trauma or Stress: Stress can trigger a surge of stress hormones, like cortisol, that may throw your endocrine system out of balance, including downregulating the levels of thyroid hormones produced. In response to stress, the body may slow the production of thyroid hormones to conserve energy. Stress also weakens your immune system, possibly contributing to autoimmune conditions.

Research on “Stress and Thyroid Autoimmunity” found that “Stress affects the immune system directly or indirectly through the nervous and endocrine systems. These immune modulations may contribute to the development of autoimmunity as well as the susceptibility to autoimmune disease” like Hashimoto’s. To that end, studies have found that a high proportion (up to 80 percent!) of patients with autoimmune symptoms report uncommon emotional stress before disease onset.

Poor gut health: A gut flora imbalance may lead to inflammation of the gut lining, known as “leaky gut,” where a damaged intestinal barrier allows harmful substances to enter the bloodstream, potentially triggering an autoimmune response against the thyroid gland. Moreover, your ability to produce thyroid hormones requires specific nutrients and minerals, including selenium and zinc. The gut microbiota facilitates the absorption of these nutrients, and poor gut health can impair your ability to absorb nutrients and lead to deficiencies that may contribute to Hashimoto’s.

Research on “Thyroid-Gut-Axis: How Does the Microbiota Influence Thyroid Function?” found that “A healthy gut microbiota not only has beneficial effects on the activity of the immune system but also on thyroid function.”

Toxins: Your thyroid is one of the most sensitive organs to toxins, pesticides, and environmental pollutants in your body. Research on “Toxic Chemicals and Thyroid Function” found that environmental toxins “disrupt thyroid function,” noting that “a large number of environmental pollutants (including chemical contaminants, mold, metals, and pesticides) demonstrate toxic effects on the thyroid.”

“Environmental agents interfere with thyroid function at multiple sites, including thyroid hormone synthesis, metabolism, and excretion, and thyroid hormone action. Most of these agents reduce circulating thyroid hormone levels or impair thyroid hormone action. However, some may influence the pituitary and thyrotropin (TSH) secretion, or even be partial thyroid hormone receptor agonists.”

Research on “Environmental Exposures and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease” concurred that “environmental
exposures have been shown to influence thyroid function. Although most of these agents are associated with reduced thyroid hormone levels or impaired thyroid hormone action, a number of environmental exposures confer an increased risk of autoimmune thyroid disease.”

Immune Dysregulation: Hashimoto’s disease is autoimmune, which means your body’s immune system attacks your cells and organs. Usually, your immune system protects your body against harmful outside invaders, like bacteria and viruses. But in Hashimoto’s disease, your immune system makes antibodies that attack your thyroid tissue. This causes large numbers of white blood cells (lymphocytes) to build up in your thyroid, contributing to inflammation and damaging your thyroid.

Lymphatic Congestion: There is a crucial link between sluggish thyroid function and lymphatic congestion. While lymph nodes are located throughout your entire body, many in your neck are related to your thyroid. 

Congestion in the cervical lymph nodes in the neck that drain the thyroid can cause congestion in the thyroid, resulting in sluggish function. Interestingly, Hashimoto’s was initially described as a lymphatic congestive condition of the neck and thyroid because the swelling around the thyroid results from the lymphatic vessels in the neck (known as the cervical lymph nodes) becoming congested and inflamed as more fluid accumulates.

Research on “The presentation of lymph nodes in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis” found that “Regional cervical lymph nodes may be involved in cases of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.”

Your lymphatic system is also a crucial part of your immune system, which helps to prevent and fight infections. Your lymph helps ‘take out the trash’ by carrying away germs and removing metabolic waste and extra fluid. When the lymphatic congestion around the thyroid reaches the level of an autoimmune condition, excessive lymphatic congestion attempts to protect the thyroid from an overzealous immune reaction. In this advanced stage, the lymphatic system slows down to halt the overzealous immune response that has turned on its thyroid.

Research on “Lymphatic Function in Autoimmune Diseases” links lymphatic congestion to inflammation.

Your lymphatic system initially expands to help clear debris and inflammatory cells. Still, suppose lymphatic capacity is limited, and lymph can’t carry the waste and inflammatory cells away. In that case, lymphatic vessels may become damaged from the ongoing inflammation and can no longer drain fluid effectively.

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What Causes Hashimoto’s?

Essential oils possess potent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and balancing properties that may help address the root causes of Hashimoto’s by supporting healthy lymphatic drainage, minimizing inflammation, and modulating immune reactions.

Essential oils work to balance your body and calm inflammation naturally. Plant compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids have been shown to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation (Study). Distilling these concentrated plant essences into essential oils makes them more bio-available and accessible to the body and brain to help calm inflammation.

Topically applied essential oils can play a huge role in helping reduce inflammation so the thyroid can repair and heal, and you can improve symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease. Studies have found that essential oils can drastically reduce inflammation levels and reverse symptoms of inflammation. The study found that “boswellic acids”—or the active component of Frankincense, which is responsible for its therapeutic capabilities—effectively reduces inflammation and “influences the immune system” by repressing the formation of inflammatory mediators like leukotriene.

Essential oils are fat-soluble, making them easily absorbed by the skin. They are also extremely gentle and do not strip away your skin’s natural oils or add to your toxic burden.

6 Essential Oils for Hashimoto’s

The following topically applied essential oils have helped me address the underlying issues contributing to my Hashimoto’s.

1. Lymph™ 

   Supporting lymphatic drainage in my neck with the Lymph™ blend has helped me alleviate lymphatic congestion, release toxins (including mold toxins) from the tissues of my thyroid, and reduce inflammation. Hashimoto’s correlates with increased size and prominence of the lymph nodes in the area of the thyroid gland.

   Lymphatic drainage has helped me improve my ability to detoxify, reduce inflammation, and improve thyroid function. The oils in Lymph™ may help fluid move through the vessels and reduce swelling.

   As you may know, your lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump, and lymphatic fluid can accumulate and stagnate around the thyroid. (learn more about the Lymphatic System here). To enhance lymphatic flow and drainage, generously apply Lymph™ over the clavicles and around the sides of the neck to relieve congestion, improve drainage, and support thyroid health.

   The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in regulating the inflammatory response. When the body experiences inflammation, the lymphatic system ensures fluid balance in our tissues. When fluid builds up, it expands lymphatic vessels that let inflammatory cells into the lymphatic system, thereby removing them from the inflamed tissue. So, influencing drainage of the lymphatic system helps to reduce inflammation. It may also help to regulate your immune system to reduce the severity of autoimmune responses.

2. Anti-Inflammatory™

   The constant attack of your immune system on the thyroid leads to chronic thyroid inflammation. To help the thyroid heal and improve symptoms of Hashimoto’s, it is helpful to remove inflammatory cells from the inflamed tissue and calm the inflammation.

   When your immune system senses something is wrong, it sends white blood cells to the damaged area to begin fighting germs and healing tissues. The damaged area becomes swollen with increased blood flow, which carries inflammatory mediators that allow white blood cells to pass through your vessels more easily. Typically, inflammation protects our tissues from injury and infection. However, our immune system can also go into overdrive and cause chronic health conditions. 

   By reducing inflammation, we can reduce symptoms. Essential oils can be a gentle way to reduce inflammation and help minimize symptoms associated with an autoimmune disease.

   Anti-Inflammatory™ blend may be used to reduce inflammation and encourage regeneration in the chronically inflamed thyroid tissue. Chronic prolonged inflammation can silently damage tissues. To apply, gently massage 2–3 drops of Anti-Inflammatory™ to any inflamed body area. For the thyroid, rub around the neck 2-3 times daily. You can also topically apply to the bottom of the feet before bed.

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3. Parasympathetic®

   Calming your sympathetic nervous system’s “fight or flight” response helps to relax your body’s stress response, which may contribute to Hashimoto’s.

   Your vagus nerve—which starts at the base of the brain and travels down the neck on both sides near the thyroid—tells your body that you are safe. Stimulating the vagus nerve by inhaling or topically applying the Parasympathetic™ blend can help activate your parasympathetic nervous system. This enables you to regulate your nervous system, promoting safety and relaxation, which may help counteract your body’s stress response.

   Parasympathetic™ contains Clove essential oil, which helps regulate your body’s stress response. The main constituent of Clove oil, known as eugenol, boasts robust antioxidant properties that may help you detoxify environmental toxins and boost the immune system.

   You can naturally stimulate your vagus nerve by topically applying the Parasympathetic® blend on the vagus nerve (behind the earlobe on the mastoid bone) or the neck may help activate the parasympathetic nervous system (which innervates the thyroid gland) to support thyroid health.

   READ THIS NEXT: Parasympathetic for Anxiety

4. Fascia Release™

   The thyroid gland is surrounded by fascia. According to my friend and colleague Deanna Hansen of Block Therapy, if your thyroid isn’t functioning as it should be, you can create positive change through fascia decompression.

   “Like the walls, floors, ceilings, and windows of a building that create structure and containment to the space within, the fascia creates the structure and containment to the cell. Every single tissue in the body is a grouping of specialized cells, all connected to each other through the fascia system.

   If intact, like a building, there is room for all the activities necessary for optimal functioning. If, however, the structure becomes damaged or weakened, then the space within becomes compromised, causing harm or destruction. Without space for nutrients to flow into the cells and waste to be pulled away from them, cells become stressed and cease to function with ease.”

   In other words, if the fascia is constricted, the health of the thyroid suffers. Releasing fascial adhesions with Fascia Release™ supports healthy, hydrated, flexible, supple, and unrestricted fascia, which allows your tissues to move freely and helps the lymph drain more easily from the neck for removal.

   Fascia Release™ helps support lymph drainage by helping to stimulate the lymphatic system, release adhesions and fascial restriction, increase circulation, and decrease swelling in the tissue. By supporting the fluid dynamics of the fascial system, this blend may help ease a congested lymphatic system and reduce inflammation and swelling.

   As you know, fascia lies just below the skin, so topically applying essential oils to the skin allows for easy and immediate access to the fascia. The skin is your largest organ and is relatively permeable to fat-soluble substances like essential oils.

   The essential oils in the Fascia Release™ blend are uniquely formulated to unravel deeply held tensions, constrictions, and energetic blockages in your tissues to reduce pain, improve blood and lymphatic circulation, and release fear, repressed emotions, and tension held in the body (organs, muscles, tendons, bones, and joints) or the mind.

   Topically apply around the neck and on the bottom of the feet.

READ THIS NEXT: Fascia and the Lymphatic System

5. Circulation™

   Your thyroid gland has a wealthy blood supply and is estimated to be six times as vascular as the kidney and relatively three to four times more vascular than the brain.

   Supporting blood flow and healthy Circulation™ enhances the ability of toxins to drain.

   If veins and arteries are narrow, lax, scarred, or malformed, or the blood cells are too large, adequate blood flow is restricted, which creates pressure and prevents toxins from draining from the neck and the thyroid. 

   Circulation™ blend, combined with manual movement of blood and lymph in the extremities, may help increase fluid circulation, reduce swelling, promote lymph angiogenesis, or create new lymphatic vessels to increase flow capacity.

   Essential oils, like Circulation™, can help improve circulation by relaxing the blood vessels and improving the health of the blood vessels. This allows more blood to circulate through them, improving circulation. Essential oils can also help the veins contract, stimulating blood flow.

   Apply 2-3 drops of Circulation™ on the sides or back of the neck, over the left clavicle, to help support circulation. When blood circulation to the brain becomes sluggish, it can impact your physical and mental abilities, including your ability to focus and concentrate. Poor circulation in the brain can also contribute to fatigue, vertigo, dizziness, memory loss, and frequent and unexplained headaches.

6. Thymus™  

   Supporting your thymus can help boost your immune system. Your thymus gland, located in front of the heart, plays a vital role in your immune system which can help support autoimmune conditions, like Hashimotos. Your thymus helps mature infection-fighting white blood cells in your bone marrow. You can help increase the release of your white blood cells by stimulating your thymus. Essential oils—like the Thymus™ blend, which contains black seed oil—and a technique called thymus thumping, gently tapping the thymus gland by stimulating your thymus to boost your immune system.

   Research on “The Impact of Nigella sativa Essential Oil on T Cells in Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis” found that “essential oil extracted from Nigella sativa seeds “have a strong immunomodulatory effect on the lymphocytes of Hashimoto’s patients”. Nigella sativa Essential Oil is rich in bioactive substances, such as thymoquinone and cymene, which may help support immunity.

   To boost your immune system, apply 2-3 drops of Thymus™ on the thymus (on the breastbone at the third rib) in a clockwise motion for 30 seconds and then stimulate the thymus by gently tapping. Apply morning and evening and throughout the day as needed.

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