Iodine – An Old Remedy Worth Rediscovering?

I always energy test or dowse with my pendulum to establish if I need to add something to my 'self care' repertoire. So when it was suggested I took Iodine, I tested and yes! I needed it.

WHY might we need to take it? how come it's disappeared from the chemist shelf? read on .....

There are some natural remedies that quietly disappear from everyday use, not because they stopped working, but because newer products took their place. Iodine is one of them.

Many of us remember the little brown bottle in our parents' or grandparents' medicine cabinet. A dab of iodine was applied to cuts and grazes before colourful sticking plasters became the norm.

I for one vividly remember my mother literally chasing me with the iodine bottle after I'd grazed a knee or cut a finger ..... it was the cure-all on the shelf, but boy did it sting !!!!

Yet iodine is far more than an antiseptic. It is an essential mineral that every cell in the body needs, and one that modern diets may not always provide in abundance.

What Exactly Is Iodine?

Iodine is a naturally occurring chemical element.

It is one of the trace minerals, meaning our bodies need only very small amounts of it, yet without it we cannot make the thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism, energy production, growth, body temperature and many other vital functions.

Unlike vitamins, the body cannot manufacture iodine itself. We must obtain it from food, water or supplements.

In its pure form, iodine appears as dark grey-black crystals with a beautiful violet vapour when heated—hence its name. The word iodine comes from the Greek word ioeides, meaning "violet-coloured."

Almost all of the Earth's iodine originally came from the oceans.

Over millions of years, seawater has acted as the planet's great reservoir of iodine.

As sea spray is carried inland by the wind, tiny amounts of iodine are deposited onto the soil. Coastal regions therefore tend to have more iodine-rich soils than inland or mountainous areas, where rainfall gradually washes iodine away.

This is why iodine deficiency has historically been most common in mountainous regions.

Modern iodine is mainly obtained in two ways.

From underground brines (salt water):In countries such as Japan and the United States, naturally occurring underground salt-water deposits are pumped to the surface. The iodine dissolved in the brine is separated using chemical processes and purified into crystals.

From caliche ore: Chile is one of the world's largest producers of iodine. The mineral is extracted from ancient desert deposits known as caliche, which formed millions of years ago when seawater evaporated. The iodine is separated from the ore, purified and converted into the forms used in medicine and supplements.

A bit of science!

Lugol's iodine is not a different type of iodine. It is simply a solution made by dissolving elemental iodine together with potassium iodide in purified water.

The potassium iodide helps the elemental iodine dissolve, producing the familiar amber-coloured liquid that has been used for more than 150 years.

Which Foods Naturally Contain Iodine?

The richest natural sources include:

• Seaweed (especially kelp, kombu, wakame and nori)

• White fish such as cod and haddock

• Shellfish

• Oysters and mussels

• Prawns

• Dairy products (milk, yoghurt and cheese)

• Eggs

• Some fortified breads

• Iodised salt (used in many countries, though less commonly in the UK)

The iodine content of fruits, vegetables and grains depends entirely on how much iodine is present in the soil where they were grown. Crops grown in iodine-poor soils contain very little iodine.

Why Do We Need Iodine?

The thyroid gland uses iodine to manufacture the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

These hormones influence almost every system in the body, including:

• Energy production

• Body temperature

• Metabolism

• Brain function

• Memory and concentration

• Skin and hair health

• Hormonal balance

• Growth and tissue repair

Without enough iodine, the thyroid simply cannot function efficiently.

More Than Just the Thyroid

Research over the past few decades has shown that iodine is concentrated not only in the thyroid but also in many other tissues, including the breasts, ovaries, prostate, salivary glands, stomach lining and immune cells.

Scientists continue to study these roles, but iodine appears to contribute to healthy cellular function throughout the body.

Nature's Antiseptic

Long before antibiotics existed, iodine was prized for its remarkable ability to destroy microorganisms.

It has broad activity against many:

• Bacteria

• Viruses

• Fungi

• Yeasts

• Some parasites

This is why iodine remains one of the most widely used antiseptics in hospitals around the world before surgery.

When applied to intact skin or small cuts, iodine helps reduce the number of microbes present.

It should not, however, be applied to large wounds, severe burns or deep injuries without medical guidance.

The human body contains only about 15–20 milligrams of iodine in total—less than the weight of a grain of rice. Yet that tiny amount is indispensable for life. About 70–80% of it is stored in the thyroid gland, with the rest distributed among tissues such as the breasts, ovaries, stomach lining, salivary glands and other organs that also use iodine.

Internal Supplementation

Many people today choose to supplement with iodine, particularly if they eat little seafood, dairy or iodised salt. I never have supplemented/taken internally so I was curious to investigate ...

Some practitioners believe modern diets may leave many people mildly iodine deficient, while others urge caution because too much iodine can also disturb thyroid function. The same controversy exists about taking it internally: some say it's safe, others disagree.

One naturopath states: I always recommend transdermal application to my patients, which is through the skin as absorption through the skin is a direct route to our bloodstream, think how nicotine and other transdermal patches work.

If the patch test suggests iodine deficiency apply drops of our Lugol’s iodine directly onto the skin, rub in with a finger and allow to dry.

Once the stain remains for 8 hours move to a weekly maintenance dose on the skin.

Vary the application sites each day between the inside of each wrist, the crook of each elbow, essentially any site where there is vascular activity close to the surface of the body as some people can experience drying of the skin if the Lugol’s is applied to the same area of tissue every day.

This is why I'm grateful to be able to energy test to see if my body needs it and how much it needs and if I should take it orally or transdermal.

If you're not sure about self-testing, explore my blogs ... lots of free information on there + on my You Tube channel (Maddie King). Self testing really does take the guess work out of self care.

The goal is to achieve adequate intake rather than excessive intake.

Many supplements provide relatively small daily amounts, while preparations such as Lugol's iodine contain considerably larger doses and should be used thoughtfully.

How Long Should You Take It?

There is no universal answer. Again, energy testing can take the guess work out of this decision.

Some people take modest amounts daily as nutritional support.

Others use higher-dose protocols for a limited period under the guidance of an experienced healthcare practitioner.

If you decide to supplement, it is sensible to begin slowly, observe how you feel, and discuss longer-term use with a healthcare professional, particularly if you have thyroid disease.

Can Iodine Be Applied to the Skin?

Yes!!!!! and in the past I have applied it OVER THE THYROID AREA OF THE THROAT, as opposed to taking it orally. The vibrational qualities can penetrate through to the gland. As I wrote above transdermal is often the preferred method by some practitioners.

Topical iodine has been used safely for generations.

It has traditionally been used for:

• Minor cuts and grazes

• Small abrasions

• Preparing skin before injections

• Supporting cleanliness around minor wounds

Is Everyone Deficient?

Probably not.

Some people obtain plenty of iodine through seafood, seaweed, dairy products and iodised salt.

Others may consume very little.

The only reliable way to assess iodine status is through appropriate clinical assessment rather than guessing from symptoms alone. This is not always available so consulting a naturopath, nutritionist or kinesiologist who can energy test is a good alternative. If you are confident in self-testing then that is helpful. It should be said that iodine is powerful so if you are under medical care or have any doubts - seek professional advice.

Iodine is not suitable for everyone.

Extra caution is needed if you have:

• Hyperthyroidism

• Graves' disease

• Hashimoto's thyroiditis

• Thyroid nodules

• A history of thyroid cancer

• An allergy to iodine-containing medications (although many people who say they are "allergic to iodine" are actually reacting to something else, such as contrast dye or shellfish proteins rather than iodine itself)

You should also seek medical advice if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking thyroid medication.

Certain medicines, including amiodarone and lithium, may also interact with iodine.

Why Did It Seem to Disappear?

Many people believe iodine was "banned."

In reality, the story is less dramatic.

As medicine evolved, newer antiseptics became popular, safety concerns about accidental ingestion increased, and pharmacists gradually stopped routinely stocking strong iodine preparations. In addition there was some concern that individuals may 'overdose' if taking it orally (although topically was the norm).

Today iodine is still widely used in hospitals, available in nutritional supplements and sold in products such as Lugol's iodine and povidone-iodine.

I had some iodine I had brought back from Spain where it is freely available but have also ordered some here in the UK - https://qualifiednaturopath.co.uk/products/ols/products/10ml-lugols-iodine-15-with-pipette-high-purity-essential-mineral

I find it fascinating that something so simple can play such an important role in human health.

Like many traditional remedies, iodine deserves respect rather than fear.

Too little may impair health.

Too much may also create problems.

The wisdom lies in understanding the difference.

As with so many aspects of natural health, balance is the key.

Our bodies were designed to work with nature, and iodine is one of those quiet, essential nutrients that reminds us how elegantly the body has been created.

A gentle note: This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace personalised medical advice. If you have thyroid disease, take thyroid medication or are pregnant or breastfeeding, seek professional guidance before starting iodine supplementation.