Blood is the most important internal environment of the body, the pathologies of which disrupt the functioning of all organ systems. When signs of blood thickening appear against the background of a wide range of diseases, the risk of developing severe cardiovascular complications increases significantly.
There are many means to reduce blood viscosity, the safest of which are medicinal plants.
Some herbs actually have a proven ability to thin human blood and also effectively prevent the formation of blood clots. In this article, we will provide a list of the most effective ones.
Before starting herbal medicine, it is recommended to carefully study the list of all contraindications in which treatment may cause harm.
Let's remember that in the last article we looked at 7 herbs that thicken the blood →
Possible causes of blood thickening
Increased platelet aggregation and coagulation is an extremely dangerous condition, in which the risk of developing fatal vascular complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, thromboembolism of the branches of the pulmonary arteries, etc.) increases several tens of times.
The pathologies leading to this condition in both men and women include:
- Dehydration. It is observed against the background of infectious intestinal diseases (salmonellosis, dysentery) and acute intestinal poisoning.
- Intestinal juice enzyme deficiency . Decreased digestion of food provokes a decrease in oncotic pressure in the intestinal lumen and loss of water and electrolytes.
- Lipid profile pathologies. Increased levels of total cholesterol and atherogenic lipids (TAG, LDL and VLDL) are a leading risk factor for thrombosis.
- Reduced content of important vitamins and microelements in the body (selenium, zinc, vitamin C, lecithin).
- Radiation sickness. The phenomena of this rare disease occur during massive exposure to radiation.
- Increased consumption of animal fats. As a result, excessive amounts of fatty acids circulate in the plasma, which reduce the sensitivity of insulin receptors. Glucose levels increase compensatoryly, which increases coagulation
- Diabetes mellitus type I and II.
- Hypoxia. Develops with carbon dioxide poisoning and pulmonary failure.
- Antiphospholipid syndrome. Antibodies are produced against the body's own cells (cell wall phospholipids). Long-term exposure to platelets and vascular intima increases the coagulation properties of blood several times.
- Critical impairment of liver function (cirrhosis).
- Polycythemia (increased production of formed elements or inhibition of their utilization, for example, with spleen insufficiency).
- Myeloma and a number of malignant proliferative pathologies.
- Varicose veins of the lower extremities and other diseases accompanied by a decrease in the intensity of venous blood flow.
- Burn damage to a large surface area of the body. At the same time, plasma with electrolytes sweats through open wound defects and the viscosity increases.
An increase in the concentration of non-liquid substances in the plasma is a severe deviation. If you do not contact a specialist in a timely manner or receive inadequate treatment, it can lead to disability or death.
Scientists also identify a number of risk factors for the development of the described pathology:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- obesity of any degree;
- abuse of bad habits (smoking, drug use);
- frequent exposure to stress and other psycho-emotional stress.
White willow (willow)
Acetylsalicylic acid was first obtained from white willow bark, one of the uses of which is anticoagulant.
White willow contains the glycoside salicin, which is converted in the body into salicylic acid, as well as flavonoids and ascorbic acid. Salicylic acid has an anti-inflammatory effect and prevents the formation of blood clots: both platelets and red blood cells.
Willow bark is used for medicinal purposes.
White willow bark decoction
White willow bark - 1 tbsp. l.
- Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the crushed roots.
- Leave in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes.
- Filter while hot.
- Bring boiled water to the original volume.
Take 1 tbsp. l. 5 times a day.
White willow bark infusion
White willow bark - 1 cup.
- Pour boiling water over a glass of crushed willow bark.
- Leave for 30 minutes.
- Pour the broth into a basin.
Use for foot baths for varicose veins due to thrombosis and thrombophlebitis. Keep the feet in the broth until the water cools completely.
How effective is herbal medicine?
It is necessary to understand that not a single medicinal plant has undergone large clinical trials regarding its ability to thin thick blood. Knowledge about the effectiveness of most herbs in relation to pathologies such as blood thickening is based on the results of the use of herbs by traditional healers and the practical experience of individual doctors.
An extremely common mistake is attributing effects to herbs, berries, vegetables and fruits, and other products based on the components of their composition. The active substances are contained in extremely small quantities and cannot even come one step closer to the pharmacological effects of medications included in the list of national recommendations, treatment protocols and other official medical information. This is what doctors are currently working on. If medicines are of plant origin, then the content of active substances is hundreds and even thousands of times greater than that of plants.
Expert commentary
Kardash Anton Borisovich
Therapist, cardiologist. Doctor of the highest category.
Thus, in case of serious pathologies of hemostasis, herbal medicines should not be used as the only method of treatment. It is necessary to consult a specialist and take herbal substances as an additional method of therapy.
Sweet clover
Sweet clover grass contains coumarins, the highest content of which is in flowers. Also active substances are glycosides and flavonoids melitoside and quercetin. The content of these substances determines the anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects of the plant.
It is used for the prevention and treatment of cardiac thrombosis and angina pectoris, thrombophilia, thrombophlebitis.
In addition to preventing blood clots, sweet clover prevents the formation of red blood cell clots.
The use of sweet clover herb requires caution. Dicoumarin, which provides the main medicinal effect, can cause headaches, nausea and vomiting in case of overdose. If symptoms of poisoning appear, you should immediately stop taking sweet clover.
The use of sweet clover is contraindicated during pregnancy and internal bleeding.
Infusion of the herb melilot officinalis
Sweet clover herb – 15 g.
- Pour 250 ml of chilled boiled water over the herb.
- Leave for 4 hours in a sealed container.
- After infusion, filter and squeeze.
Take 100 ml 3 times a day.
Contraindications and precautions
It is not recommended to independently take herbal remedies that can affect rheological properties without prior consultation with a doctor in the presence of conditions such as:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding period. During gestation, the active substances of herbs easily penetrate the placenta and lead to critical bleeding in the body of the unborn child.
- Acute inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract caused by pathogenic microorganisms.
- Gastritis with high acidity and erosive.
- Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum.
- Any menstrual irregularities, including amenorrhea.
- Individual hypersensitivity to components of herbal remedies.
- Thrombophilia.
- Hemorrhagic diathesis.
- Leukemia of any etiology.
- Liver damage with decreased activity of protein synthesis (hepatitis, fatty hepatosis, etc.).
Under no circumstances should the above-described medications be used together with any anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents. It has been proven that when using warfarin with coumarin or acetylsalicylic acid, even in small quantities, the effect of the former increases by 1.5-2 times. This provokes multiple bleeding, which can cause death.
Interaction of herbal anticoagulants with synthetic drugs and food
- Herbal and synthetic anticoagulants should not be combined. Anticoagulant plants increase the effect of synthetic drugs, which increases the risk of bleeding.
- Blood thinning herbs are not recommended to be combined with medications that lower blood pressure.
- The thinning effect of plants decreases when combined with ginseng in any dosage form.
- Simultaneous use of herbal anticoagulants with herbs rich in vitamin K - nettle, alfalfa, etc., astringents and hemostatic agents is unacceptable.
- You should not drink grapefruit juice when treating with plants that have the opposite effect of vitamin K, for example, sweet clover.
Overview of Traditional Methods
To thin the blood, patients are most often prescribed anticoagulants that reduce platelet coagulation and fibrin synthesis. Drugs can have a direct or indirect effect. The first group includes heparin and all its derivatives (“Thrombophob”, “Lavenum”, “Lioton”).
The group of indirect anticoagulants includes drugs such as Sinkumar, Warfarin, and Phenyllin. The medications have a prolonged effect and are extremely effective, but require close medical supervision due to the high frequency of complications (bleeding).
No less widespread are antiplatelet agents that can prevent platelet aggregation:
- "Cardiomagnyl";
- "Courantil";
- "Apecard";
- "Acetylsalicylic acid".
Expert commentary
Kardash Anton Borisovich
Therapist, cardiologist. Doctor of the highest category.
One of the safest medications is Cardiomagnyl. It is strictly forbidden to start using the described medications on your own. Such actions can lead to serious consequences.
When starting to take medications, the “benefit-harm” indicator is assessed. In addition to bleeding, complications such as:
- dyspeptic disorders (nausea, vomiting, bloating);
- atrophy of the gastric mucosa with the development of anemia associated with deficiency of vitamin B12 and folic acid;
- liver dysfunction with organ failure;
- disorders of the central nervous system (tinnitus, dizziness);
- urolithiasis (stones are represented by oxalates);
- acute glomerulonephritis;
- allergic reactions (from urticaria to anaphylactic shock).
Lungwort soft
The anticoagulant property of lungwort is manifested due to the content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids throughout the plant. They inhibit the activity of the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of inflammatory mediators. Lungwort also has a fibrinolytic effect due to the presence of glycopeptides. The substances prevent the formation of fibrin fibers, thus preventing the formation of blood clots.
The above-ground part of the plant is used as a medicinal raw material.
Infusion of soft lungwort
Soft lungwort herb - 2 tbsp. l.
- Pour the chopped herb with 2 cups of water.
- Heat in a water bath for 15 minutes.
- Leave for 1 hour.
- Filter and squeeze.
Drink half a glass 3-4 times a day half an hour before meals.
Astragalus wooliflora (hairy)
The aerial part of astragalus is used for medicinal purposes, and less commonly, the roots. Astragalus contains bioflavonoids, coumarins, triterpene compounds, ascorbic acid and minerals.
Astragalus herb is used for circulatory failure, to dilate the blood vessels of the heart, and lower blood pressure.
Infusion of Astragalus wooliflora herb
Astragalus herb - 2 tbsp. l.
- Pour 200 ml of boiling water over the chopped herbs.
- Leave for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Cool and strain.
- Bring boiled water to the original volume.
Take 50 ml 3 times a day.
Horse chestnut
The fruits and bark of horse chestnut contain the glycoside esculin and the saponin escin. Esculin reduces capillary permeability, stimulates the antithrombotic activity of blood plasma, preventing the formation of blood clots. Escin reduces blood viscosity, promoting the resorption of blood clots.
Horse chestnut fruit tincture
Horse chestnut fruits - 10 g.
- Crush the peeled chestnut fruits.
- Pour in 1/2 cup of vodka.
- Leave for 7-10 days in a dark place, shaking occasionally.
- Filter the tincture.
Take 30 drops in a small amount of water 20 minutes before meals.
Tripartite sequence
Tripartite string is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids and coumarins. The anticoagulant effect is due to the combined action of a complex of substances. One of the mineral substances that helps prevent blood clots is manganese, which is also found in large quantities in the herb.
Contraindications for the series are hypotension, diarrhea, increased excitability, age up to 3 years, with caution - up to 12 years.
Herbal tea from a series
Herb tripartite - 2 tsp.
- Brew the chopped herb with 0.5 liters of boiling water.
- Leave for 30 minutes.
Drink the herbal drink throughout the day, distributing it evenly throughout the day to avoid stomach irritation. Tea helps improve the condition of blood vessels.
Leuzea safflower
Leuzea is rich in a bioactive complex of phytoexidolones, flavonoids, coumarins and ascorbic acid. The combined effect of the substances provides a number of valuable properties, including anticoagulant properties. The flower baskets of the plant have the most pronounced effect on the blood.
Leuzea products should not be used if you have high blood or intraocular pressure or fundus diseases.
Decoction of the roots of Leuzea safflower
Rhizomes with Leuzea roots - 1 tbsp. l.
- Pour 200 ml of boiling water over the roots of Leuzea.
- Boil over low heat for 20 minutes.
- Leave at normal temperature for 30 minutes.
- Filter and squeeze.
Drink 1/2 glass 2 times a day.
Meadowsweet (meadowsweet)
Meadowsweet reduces blood clotting and blood pressure. The plant contains salicylic acid and its compounds, coumarins, glycoside spirein, ascorbic acid. Salicylic aldehyde thins the blood, prevents the formation of blood clots and blockage of blood vessels. It also improves capillary tone and reduces the formation of trophic ulcers - ulcers associated with tissue malnutrition due to venous diseases.
All parts of the meadowsweet are used.
Infusion of meadowsweet
Herb with meadowsweet flowers - 1 tsp.
- Pour a glass of cooled boiled water over the grass and flowers.
- Leave in a sealed container for 8 hours.
- Strain.
Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day before meals.
Additional effect of herbs
Medicinal plants have a number of beneficial properties for the body. In addition to normalizing blood flow, they are used for:
- Strengthening blood vessels. Meadowsweet, sweet clover, chestnut, white willow bark, Ginkgo biloba leaves, etc. are suitable. These herbs affect the walls of blood vessels and restore them. This is especially true for older people, since blood vessels lose their elasticity with age. The herbs are also suitable for people suffering from high blood pressure. Strong blood vessels will help prevent possible bleeding.
- Normalization of pressure. They use hawthorn, meadowsweet, black currant, hibiscus, and clover.
- Cleansing blood vessels from cholesterol. Sweet clover, chestnut, lungwort, roots of Caucasian dioscorea are suitable.
Herbal infusions from these plants have a beneficial effect on the heart, blood vessels, and help thin the blood.
Garlic
Among the many bioactive compounds in garlic, allicin and achoene are important for the treatment of blood clots. They are formed in garlic under the influence of enzymes during the grinding of cloves or during heat treatment. After several intermediate reactions, achoene is formed, which exhibits the greatest activity. Achoen prevents the formation of blood clots and destroys fibrin fibers that glue platelets together.
Garlic remedy for blood vessels
Ingredients:
- Garlic cloves - 400 g;
- Milk - 3.5 l.
Preparation:
- Grind the garlic into a paste.
- Pour milk over garlic mixture.
- Place in a sealed container over low heat and keep until the liquid has evaporated by 4/4 of the volume.
- Cool and strain.
Drink 1/3-1/2 cup in small sips 3-4 times a day before meals. Store in a cool place.
