Bugleweed: A Natural Weight-Loss Remedy

Herbs have been used for centuries to help people with health problems. Natural health remedies often help people lose weight by treating the underlying cause of the weight gain.

Individuals with mild hyperthyroidism may benefit from taking bugleweed under the supervision of a health-care provider.

Bugleweed is a thick mat-forming perennial, which spreads by runners and has bronze-purple foliage. Many diet products and herbal remedies for thyroid problems contain bugleweed as part of the formula.Bugleweed is often touted as a remedy for Graves' Disease, which is also known as hyperthyroidism.

Individuals with Graves' Disease may drink mint teas with bugleweed. But the preferred method for taking the bugleweed is as an herbal tincture or alcohol extract. Scientist who studied the use of bugleweed tincture with laboratory animals, found use of the substance resulted in a significant decrease in thyroid hormone levels.

People with Graves' Disease have, circulating through their system, abnormally high levels of thyroid hormones, which are secreted by their thyroid glands.

Graves' Disease, which is an autoimmune condition, is named after Dr. Robert James Graves, an Irish physician who identified the disease in the early 1800s.

Bugleweed, also known as lycopus, is often used to treat Graves' Disease because it helps suppress thyroid hormone production. Bugleweed also inhibits iodine metabolism, which is important for people with Graves' Disease and thyroid problems. Bugleweed is often used in combination with lemon balm.

It's quite easy to grow your own bugleweed. You would use the whole herb, fresh, as a remedy. The herb may also be dried.

Since bugleweed is considered a mild narcotic, often used for coughs and bleeding from the lungs, it's important to consult your health care provider before self-medicating with bugleweed.

Bugleweed may assist some people with weight loss by decreasing the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormones. Scientists believe it is the lithospermic acid in bugleweed, which inhibits the binding of antibodies to the thyroid gland.

Experts suggest no more than 1 to 2 ml three times a day of the tincture or 1 to 2 grams of the whole bugleweed herb per day.

Taking too much bugleweed may be dangerous by causing a severe decrease in thyroid function. Bugleweed should not be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you are taking other medicines before taking bugleweed.

If you are living with hypothyroidism, you know how difficult it is to lose weight. Some people claim it was nearly impossible to lose a pound until they found a solution for their thyroid problem. While bugleweed may be the best weight-loss solution for you, it's a potent, powerful herb that must be treated with respect and never used without the advice of a health-care provider.

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