Evidence supporting the use of: American Bugleweed
For the health condition: Goiter
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
American Bugleweed (Lycopus americanus) has been traditionally used in North American herbal medicine to support thyroid health, including the management of mild hyperthyroidism and related conditions such as goiter. The traditional use stems from historical accounts and herbal texts, which report that indigenous peoples and early American herbalists used bugleweed preparations for symptoms associated with overactive thyroid, such as palpitations and mild swelling of the thyroid gland (goiter). The herb is believed to exert mild inhibitory effects on thyroid hormone synthesis and peripheral conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3). However, most of the pharmacological studies and limited clinical trials have focused on its European relative, Lycopus europaeus, rather than the American species. The available scientific evidence supporting Lycopus americanus for goiter is sparse and primarily based on its traditional use and extrapolation from related species. No large-scale, high-quality clinical trials have specifically validated its efficacy or safety for treating goiter in humans. Thus, while its use for goiter is supported by tradition, there is a lack of robust scientific validation, and more research is needed to confirm its role, safety, and mechanism in thyroid health.
