Natural Blood Thinners
July 22, 2009
If one’s blood has tendency to clot easily, a blood thinner become vital for survival. The process of formation of a blood clot takes place in this manner. The blood platelets adhere to the outline of the injury and cover the area by forming a “plug”. 0nce the injury is healed the plug breaks down.
Significance of Blood Thinners
It is important to be aware about natural blood thinners. Blood thinners are essentially required in thrombic disorders where blood clots easily leading to serious complications. However, in case of bleeding disorders one must know which substances need to be avoided.
Consumption of such substances, even in mild quantity must be avoided. The common bleeding conditions are nosebleeds, hemorrhages, hematuria and excess bleeding during menstruation in women. In presence of blood thinner, the bleeding in these conditions may not stop and may even lead to death.
Natural Blood Thinners
There are many herbs and spices which are potentially good in thinning of the blood. These foods are high in salicylic acid, vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acid and some with antibiotic properties.
Interestingly, all foods that are rich in vitamin E are not always blood thinners. For example, some green vegetables like spinach and broccoli contain good amounts of vitamin K along with vitamin E. Vitamin K is helpful in developing blood clot.
Herbs are that are rich in aspirin (salicylate /salicylic acid) include peppermint, ginger, paprika, curry leaves and cury powder, thyme, cinnamon, dill, oregano, turmeric and licorice. Ginger, curry leaves and oregano are the most common seasonings used in fast food preparations. Those with bleeding disorders must avoid these seasoning.
In an Australian study ginger has shown to inhibit blood clot formation induced by arachidonic acid (a polyunsaturated fatty acid present in membranes in humans).
All the fruits in the berry-family, including strawberries, cranberries, and blueberries are significant blood thinners. Oranges, tangerines, cherries, raisins and prunes work in the same manner.
Sunshine, a Blood Thinner?
Sunshine provides us with vitamin D. In Ayurveda medication the sun is used to boost blood circulation in a person. Thinner the blood better is the circulation. Therefore, the sunshine has an indirect role in causing thinning of the blood.
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