Authored by Dr Harsh Sharma, Edited and Peer Reviewed by Dr. Pooja Sharma

Published November 16, 2023, Last updated November 16, 2023

Goiter is a swelling or an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. Usually goiter is harmless but it can cause some symptoms depending upon the size and location of the enlargement. The following 5 homeopathic medicines for goiter are very effective for its treatment –

1. Calcarea Carb
2. Crotalus Cascvela
3. Iodium
4. Lycopodium
5. Spongia

Before we come to the indications suggesting the use of these homeopathic medicines for goiter, let us understand a little more about goiter and its causes.

What is Goiter?

As I have mentioned in the previous paragraph, goiter is an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland situated just below the Adam’s apple in the front of the neck. It is about 2 inches long. This thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones T3 and T4. These hormones regulate our metabolism and the way our body uses energy. They also maintain the rate at which our body uses fats and carbohydrates. The thyroid hormones also influence our heart rate and help in maintaining body temperature.

In certain cases, this thyroid gland swells well beyond its normal size. This swelling may be diffuse where the whole of the thyroid gland swells or localized where only one part of the gland swells. It is situated just in front of the wind pipe or trachea. In case where the swelling impinges on the wind pipe, there may be some cough or difficulty in respiration. Most of the cases of goiter do not have any specific cause and do not cause any inflammation of the thyroid gland. Medical science classifies them as simple goiters.

What are the causes of Goiter?

There can be different causes of goiter. The most important causes of goiter are-

• Iodine Deficiency – In earlier times, deficiency of iodine was the main cause of goiter. Iodine is essential for the formation of thyroid hormones. It is mainly found in seawater and in the soil of coastal areas. Those living away from sea and at high altitudes are often deficient in iodine. In such cases, the thyroid gland enlarges in an effort to absorb more iodine. Therefore, governments all over the world have mandated addition of iodine in salt. It has significantly reduced the incidence of goiter.
• Graves’ disease – It is an autoimmune disease. Antibodies form and they attack the thyroid gland. This causes the thyroid gland to form more thyroxine. This overstimulation of the thyroid gland causes the gland to swell.
• Hashimoto’s disease – This is also an autoimmune disease. In this case, the antibodies damage the thyroid gland and it is not able to produce enough thyroid hormones. This results in triggering the feedback mechanism which sends a signal to the thyroid to produce more hormones. The thyroid exerts to produce more hormones and enlarges as a result.
• Multinodular goiter – In this form, there are multiple nodules all over the thyroid gland. These nodules may be solid or filled with fluid. This causes the gland to swell.
• Cancer – Another cause of goiter is cancer. It is not a very common cause but occurs all the same.
• Inflammation – Thyroiditis or inflammation of the thyroid is another probable cause.

Risk Factors for Goiter

There are certain factors that increase the risk of having a goiter. They are as follows-

• Low iodine intake – If the diet is deficient in iodine, it can increase the chances of having a goiter.
• Gender – Women are more likely to have goiter in comparison to men.
• Youth – It is more likely to affect young population under the age of 40.
• Autoimmune disease- Those having other autoimmune diseases or family history of autoimmune diseases are more prone.
• Hormonal changes – Goiters are more likely to develop during pregnancy and menopause when there are too many hormonal changes.

Symptoms of Goiter

Small goiters do not have many symptoms. In case they become large, they may have some symptoms. The common symptoms of goiter are as follows-

• There is swelling in the neck. This swelling is just below the Adam’s apple.
• There may be cough or irritation in the throat.
• Hoarseness of voice may be another symptom.
• In case of hypothyroidism, there are attendant symptoms like weight gain, constipation, chilliness, lack of appetite, mental weakness, lethargy and menstrual disturbances
• In case of hyperthyroidism, there are symptoms like weight loss, increased appetite, intolerance to heat, diarrhea, nervous trembling of hands, tachycardia and high blood pressure.
• Swallowing may become difficult.
• An abnormally big goiter can make breathing difficult.

Complications of Goiter

In most cases, goiters do not cause any complications. It is only if the size of the goiter becomes too large that it can cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing. In some cases, they can cause a chronic cough or hoarseness of voice. Otherwise, they just pose a cosmetic issue and nothing else.

Treatment of Goiter

In most cases where there are no symptoms, allopathic system of medicine does not recommend any treatment. Allopathic doctors recommend surgery when the size is quite large. This is when the goiter causes some difficulties in breathing or swallowing or any other such problem.

When the goiter is a result of hypothyroidism, they treat hypothyroidism. When it is due to hyperthyroidism, they treat hyperthyroidism. But there is no allopathic treatment for goiter per se.

Homeopathic treatment of Goiter

Homeopathy is much more successful in the treatment of goiters. This is because it treats the patient as a whole and not just an individual part. Homeopathic medicines work on the body’s innate immunity and then allow the natural immunity to heal the body on its own. That is why it takes a little time for the goiters to disappear. It is precisely why one needs to have some patience when one opts for the homeopathic treatment of goiter. But all said and done, it is much more convenient and effective to undergo homeopathic treatment of goiter.

5 best homeopathic medicines for Goiter

Here are the 5 best homeopathic medicines for goiter. These are just indicative and not the complete or exhaustive list of the medicines used in the homeopathic treatment of goiter.

1. Calcarea Carb- One of the best homeopathic medicines for goiter that is vascular

2. Crotalus Cascavela – one of the best homeopathic medicines for goiter with constriction

3. Iodium – One of the best homeopathic medicines for goiter with induration

4. Lycopodium – One of the best homeopathic medicines for goiter with pulsation

5. Spongia – one of the best homeopathic remedies for goiter with pain on swallowing

Here follows a brief description of the medicines and their indications. It is pertinent to mention here that giving all indications pointing to the use of these medications is not possible here.

1. Calcarea Carb- One of the best homeopathic medicines for goiter that is vascular

When the goiter is vascular in nature, Calcarea Carb is one of the best homeopathic medicines for goiter. The patient is usually obese. There is increased sweating, more so on the head. Constipation is another characteristic symptom. Patient has a craving for indigestible things like chalk, earth or coal.

2.Crotalus Cascavela – one of the best homeopathic medicines for goiter with constriction

When there is sense of constriction in the goiter, Crotalus Cascavela is one of the best homeopathic medicines for goiter. There is a constrictive pain as if a string is tied around the goiter. Also, there is a feeling of dust or a lump in the throat. Swallowing is difficult.

3. Iodium – One of the best homeopathic medicines for goiter with induration

When there is hardness of the goiter, Iodium is one of the best homeopathic medicines for goiter. There is increased hunger and patient feels hungry all the time. Rather the patient gets anxious if he does not get to eat. At the same time, he keeps losing flesh and weight despite eating in excess. There is increased weakness and breaks into a sweat at the slightest exertion. He cannot tolerate heat and wants to stay in a cool place all the time.

4. Lycopodium – One of the best homeopathic medicines for goiter with pulsation

When there is pulsation in the goiter, Lycopodium is one of the best homeopathic medicines for goiter. There may be twitching too in the goiter. In most cases, the problem is right sided. The patient has increased hunger. Food tastes sour and he desires to have sweets all the time. There is increased flatulence in the stomach. Eating a little causes the stomach to become full. All the symptoms are worse from 4 pm to 8 pm.

5. Spongia – one of the best homeopathic remedies for goiter with pain on swallowing

When there is pain on swallowing, Spongia is one of the best homeopathic remedies for goiter. Suffocative spells are present along with the goiter. The patient feels a great deal of dryness in the air passages. There is dry cough which is worse during inspiration and before midnight. This cough is better on drinking or eating anything.