UNDERSTANDING THYROID DISORDERS THROUGH AN AYURVEDIC LENS: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in maintaining body homeostasis, functioning in close coordination with the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. Modern medicine identifies numerous factors influencing thyroid function, including hormonal regulation, receptor activity, iodine metabolism, and autoimmune conditions. Ayurveda, while not explicitly describing hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, correlates thyroid dysfunction with Agni Mandhya (diminished metabolic fire), Ama (toxic metabolic waste), and Dhatwagni Mandhya (impaired tissue metabolism). This paper explores the Ayurvedic perspective on thyroid disorders, integrating modern physiological concepts with traditional principles of Dosha imbalance, Srotas (channels) obstruction, SamshAmana and Samshodhana based treatment modalities. The discussion extends to therapeutic approaches, including herbal interventions, Rasayana (rejuvenation), and yogic practices for thyroid health.