Blood, the fuel running our body, has been doing a marvelous job since we were born. It is flowing smoothly throughout, transporting nutrients to the body cells, helping in sustaining life. When this blood clots within a vessel, all of these things stop happening. In fact, this might be life threatening since the blood clots may clog the arteries and block blood supply to the vital organs like the Heart or the Brain. Natural remedies for blood clots can help.
Blood makes up about 8% of the body weight. The role of the blood in our life is notoriously overlooked, but when we get a cut or any other injury, it is the components in blood which form the clot preventing unnecessary loss of blood. A clot is simply an amalgamation of red blood cells and other cell components which build up at the site of injury to stop the flow. There are some natural blood thinners that may help.
Usually blood clots are healthy and have the purpose of stopping excessive bleeding. But sometimes too much clotting can be a sign of deeper and more painful health problems.
Risk Factors for Blood Clots
Excessive blood clots or blood clots forming without reason can happen due to a variety of reason. Risk factors associated with blood clots usually involve abnormalities in the blood conduction system caused by high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, blood disorder, liver disease, injury, surgery, family history, being bed ridden or bone fractures.
Symptoms and Presentation of Blood Clots
Symptoms of blood clots depend on their location, whether they are occurring in an artery or a vein, resulting in different clinical conditions.
A blood clot that is formed in an artery that supplies blood to the heart results in CVA or a Heart attack. If it causes blockage of blood to the brain, it may result in TIA or stroke.
The clinical presentation of a Venous Clot is not usually acute and may result in the feeling of warmth, swelling, redness and discoloration. In the case of Pulmonary Embolism, (when the clot formed in a distant vein causes blockage in the lung circulation) the clot can be life threatening needing emergency treatment and supervision.
These clotting abnormalities affect a great number of people each year, who spend a huge sum on the treatment strategies, both interventional and non-interventional.
By accommodating these simple natural remedies for blood clots including habits and diet changes, you can drastically reduce the risk of blood clots, and save yourself a fortune in investing in various drugs and treatments. Just commit yourself and enjoy the bounties of natural treatments for blood clots.
Keep The Clots Away Naturally (Natural Remedies For Blood Clots)
The risk of the formation of blood clots can be reduced by adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle. These are the greatest weapons against the chronic ailments and lifelong medications.
For the purpose of this article, we have classified our natural remedies for blood clots as follows:
- Blood Thinners (anticoagulants)
- Anti-oxidants
- Anti-lipids
- Lifestyle changes
Blood Thinners (Natural Anticoagulants)
There are number of natural blood thinners that will help prevent blood clots. You can red about natural blood thinners in more detail here.
1. Water consumption
Water is a very effective and underrated blood thinner. Sufficient water intake keeps your body hydrated resulting in smoother flow of blood. It also prevents the blood from clumping and the prevents the platelets from thickening, which coincidentally is the cause of clot formation.
2. Ginger and Garlic
These are the two most common kitchen ingredients anywhere. They are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, thereby preventing arteriosclerosis (thickening of the arterial wall) and plaque formation. Ginger contains compounds called gingerols which having a warming effect on the body, enhancing the blood flow. It also helps in reducing the fibrin content of the body, lowering the risks of heart disease.
Drinking ginger tea is one of the best natural remedies for blood clots.
Garlic also has multiple positive effects on the Cardiovascular System. It promotes blood circulation and prevents platelet aggregation.
3. Cayenne (capsicum) Pepper
They are potent blood anticoagulants from the east, used as a cooking necessity. They prevent the platelets from sticking together thereby easing the blood flow. Cayenne peeper contains a compound called Capsaicin which ensures proper blood flow throughout the vessels. It also helps reduce symptoms of poor blood circulation like pain, headaches, numb hands, cold feet and tingling in legs.
Secret Potion Recipe
Mix ½ tea spoon of Cayenne pepper powder, 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar, some ginger powder and 1 tablespoon of molasses in water. Drink this mixture twice daily after eating. It is one of the most effective natural remedies to dissolve blood clots.
4. Spices
Spices like turmeric curry powder and cinnamon keep the blood vessels active and maintain the flow of the platelets to prevent clot fragments.
Turmeric is a golden spice containing curcumin as an active ingredient, which positively affects the blood flow in a similar way to exercise. It also decreases the fibrogen level (a clotting factor) in the body which is one of the main culprits behind coronary heart disease.
In Eastern medicine, 1 teaspoon of turmeric in a glass of warm milk is a common drink for healing purposes.
5. Vitamin D
In Ayuvedric medicine, Vitamin D. direct from sunlight. has been recognized as a natural blood thinner.
Anti-Oxidants
Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and broccoli and nuts (Walnuts, Hazelnuts) prevent over oxidization and production of free radicals thereby helping reduce the risk of blood clotting.
Kiwi, red bell peppers contain essential phytol nutrients and metabolic enzymes which have blood thinning properties by reducing toxins from the blood. Other anti-oxidant foods include lentils, oats and wheat.
1. Green Tea
Green tea is one of the better natural remedies for blood clots containing antioxidant properties. It is also a potent vasodilator because of its ability to enhance the production of nitric oxide. Taking warm green tea with a dash of honey improves circulation by relaxing the arteries. For what it’s worth, the benefits of drinking green tea don’t end there.
2. Vitamin C
Ascorbic Acid, commonly known as Vitamin C, is a powerful antioxidant abundantly present in citrus fruits, kiwifruit, leafy green vegetables, etc. Food rich in vitamin C helps in the rebuilding of the walls of the arteries, thus maintain proper vascular health.
3. Dark Chocolate
A study published in the journal of American Heart Association shows that dark chocolate improves blood circulation to the legs by producing chemicals that prompts arteries to widen. Other methods of improving blood circulation to legs include cayenne pepper, green tea, ginger and garlic.
Cholesterol and Lipid Lowering Natural Remedies For Blood Clots
Foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for boosting the vascular health. Foods such as Fish and Fish Oil, other oils (Flax seed, Canola, corn, Sunflower) and nuts are great anti-lipid natural remedies for blood clots.
1. Fish and Fish Oil
Fish is the richest source of Omega-3 fatty acid, especially fatty fish.
According to research, it is quoted that eating fatty fish alters the shape of blood platelets so that they will not stick together to form a clump. This prevents blood clots from forming. So add fish to your regular diet as it promotes cardiovascular health.
2. Low Fat Oils
Canola Oil, Mustard Oil, Flax Seed Oil, Corn Oil are loaded with various types of unsaturated/good fats. They work in a similar way to fish oil i.e. change the shape of blood platelets.
3. Nuts
Nuts, yes nuts! And I’m not talking about Nutella. Nuts are abundant sources of good fats alike Omega 3 fatty acid, making them ideal for heart health and stop blood clotting naturally.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes encompass the most important natural remedies for blood clots. They are also often the most neglected, resulting in grave consequences on vascular health.
1. Regular Exercise
Exercise, Exercise and Exercise. No Second thought.
It is the best way to promote circulation and reduce blood clots. If done on a regular basis, simple and mild aerobic exercises are good enough to improve circulation to keep them at healthy levels. Exercise should not be restricted to a 30-minute morning ritual, but keep moving different body parts while standing for long periods of time.
It acts as a safeguard against various body and mental issues. Exercising regularly also keeps the weight under control, which is important since obesity is another risk factor for blood thickening.
2. Be A Morning Person
Try to be a morning person. Getup early in the morning, begin the day with a healthy breakfast encompassing all the essential nutrients.
The thing is, when we were sleeping and lying still, our body circulation is sluggish. It is not as acute compared to when we are walking and moving around. So when we wake up with the sluggish circulation, our platelets stickiness rises, leading to clumping and aggregation. Getting up early will prevent this.
3. Drink Water
Decrease in the water intake leads to dehydration which in turn causes the thickening of blood. This in turn promotes clot formation. As discussed before, water is essential for the smooth flow of blood.
4. Smoking Kills (Yea, we said it)
Smoking kills, as you must be all are aware by now.
But how?
Smoking leads to the death bed via multiple routes. One of this is that it causes damage to the epithelium of the blood vessels, resulting in the hampering of the flow of blood. It is also a source of debris for the clot formulation. Chain smokers have difficulty in exercising which has the tendency to make then inactive and further deteriorate the condition. Kick the nasty habit.
5. Stress
In this rat race we call life, stress and tension tend to play havoc with life. Stress cause imbalances the hormone system, leading to the production of free radicals that create a chain reaction in the body and effect many parts of the body including the formation of blood clots. Avoid stress, look to yoga, meditate, enjoy life.
6. Massage
A relaxing massage helps increase the blood flow over the body which in turns provide nutrients to the congested area removing the debris which may form blood clots. Massage will also act directly to remove blockages.
7. Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol has many drawbacks other than just addiction. Alcohol contains Glycerol which increases triglyceride fat levels in the blood promoting the deposition of fat in arteries. Limit your intake of alcohol to improve your chances.
Committing yourself to natural modes of treatment can save you from various ailments. Most natural remedies for blood clots have various other health benefits as well, and will only improve the quality of your life. Diet hugely influences the blood clotting mechanism and can shield you from the nasty clots. Your health is in your hands.
