The real treatment for goitre should be directed towards cleansing of the system and adoption of a rational dietary thereafter, combined with adequate rest and relaxation. To begin with, juices of fruits such as orange, apple, pineapple and grapes may be taken every two or three hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for five days. The bowels should be cleansed daily with lukewarm water.
After the juice fast, the patient may spend further three days on fruits and milk, taking three meals a day of juicy fruits such as apple, pineapple, grapes, papaya with a glass of milk, at five-hourly intervals. Thereafter, the patient may adopt a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits. The emphasis should be on fresh fruits and raw or lightly-cooked vegetables.
Certain foods and fluids are extremely injurious for goitre patients and should be avoided by them. These include white flour products, white sugar, flesh foods, fried or greasy foods, preserves, condiments, tea, coffee and alcohol.
Iodine is undoubtedly most helpful in many cases, but it should be introduced in organic form. All foods containing iodine should be taken liberally. These are asparagus, cabbage, carrots, garlic, onion, oats, pineapple, whole rice, tomatoes, watercress and strawberries.
Watercress (Jal-kumbji) has been discovered to be one of the best sources of the element iodine. It is valuable in correcting the functioning of the thyroid gland. Its regular use, therefore, is highly beneficial in the prevention and treatment of goitre. A paste made of this vegetable can also be applied beneficially over the affected parts. It will help reduce swelling.
Dandelion (kanphool) has also been found valuable in goitre. The leaves of this salad vegetable should be smeared with ghee, warmed and bandaged over the swollen parts for about two weeks. It will provide relief.
Half the daily intake of food should consists of fresh fruits and vegetables, and the starch element should be confined to whole wheat products and potatoes. The protein foods should be confined to cheese, peas, beans, lentils and nuts. All flesh proteins must be avoided.
Other Measures
Ice-bag should be applied to the throat for 20 to 30 minutes. It should then be applied over the heart for the same duration. The bag should be reapplied on the throat and the alternate application should be continued for one or two hours, and repeated two or three times a day.
The patient should take plenty of rest and spend a day in bed every week for the first two months of the treatment. Exercise should be resumed and gradually increase after the symptoms subside. Great care must be taken never to allow the body to become exhausted.
All efforts should be made to prevent emotional stress. There may be slight recurrence of this extremely nervous complaint for some times, but the attacks will become less severe and of shorter duration as the treatment progresses.