Natural Remedies for Anemia

Do you suspect you might have anemia? Anemia is a disorder characterized by too little red blood cell production. While this is often caused by low iron, there are also other causes for the disorder, including low levels of other nutrients, interactions with medications, and genetics.

Anemia can be scary and life-threatening, but for most people, anemia is simply a lack of nutrients and iron that can be reversed at home, naturally. Learn more about natural remedies for anemia below.

What is Anemia?

Anemia is caused by low hemoglobin production and low red blood cell count. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, and a lack of red blood cells means you are constantly oxygen-deprived. Low oxygen levels lead to a variety of medical problems, largely characterized by fatigue, breathlessness, and heart problems (in the most extreme cases).

Causes of Anemia

Anemia is caused by several factors, but in the mildest cases, anemia is usually caused by a lack of iron or other nutrients. Low levels of vitamin B12, vitamin C, and zinc are commonly attributed to anemia. Low iron is the most common reason for anemia in the United States.

Other factors can also lead to anemia, including:

• Heavy periods
• Internal bleeding
• Crohn's disease or Celiac disease
• Pregnancy
• Kidney failure
• Surgery
• Poor diet
• Leukemia
• Injuries

Symptoms of Anemia

The symptoms of anemia are fairly straightforward. Most people only encounter the mild symptoms of anemia, as most Americans find out they are anemia before the situation has become life-threatening. Common symptoms of anemia include:

Causes of Anemia

In most cases, anemia is caused by low iron or other nutrient deficiencies. However, other medical conditions, chronic health problems, medication, and trauma can all increase the chances that you will be anemic. Children and the elderly are also at higher risk for developing anemia, usually due to poor diet.

Natural Remedies for Anemia

Unless you are severely anemic, your doctor will likely prescribe a mixture of home remedies for anemia and some supplements that you can take until your anemia is cured. In all but the most extreme cases, natural remedies for anemia are all that is required to reverse anemia and boost your red blood cell count. Follow these natural remedies for anemia to reverse mild to moderate anemia.

Increase Activity

An active person is healthier on all levels, but anemic people may benefit from exercise more than most. Exercise forces the blood to move through your body faster, spreading oxygen throughout the body. If you are anemic, you will likely feel lightheaded after exercise, but that feeling will fade after a few weeks of increasing your nutrient intake and following other natural remedies to reverse anemia.

Bathe in Epsom Salt

Epsom salt has a soothing, relaxing effect on the body. Epsom salt is also high in magnesium, which can help balance the nutrient levels in your body and fight anemia from the outside in. Epsom salt baths encourage circulation and will help your blood move more efficiently through your body.

Get a Massage

Massages physically stimulate circulation and boost your overall circulation. This is good both for fighting anemia and for maximizing the oxygen content of the blood already in your body.

Eat Jaggery Sugar

Jaggery is a form of natural sugar commonly used in India. This sugar contains high levels of iron, which makes it ideal for fighting anemia. Jaggery is usually sold in powdered form just like sugar and can be used anywhere you would use sugar. Try adding it to cereal in the morning or using it to sweeten desserts. Don't go overboard with jaggery, however, as it is still a sugar and high in calories.

Drink Shatavari Kalpa

Shatavari is an Indian form of asparagus. This form of asparagus is high in iron and other nutrients that fight anemia. Shatavari Kalpa is a drink made from shatavari granules added to a cup of warm milk. A teaspoon of granules added to one cup of milk will produce a nutrient-rich beverage that is beneficial in fighting anemia. This drink is particularly recommended for women who have just given birth.

Drink Punarnava Juice

Punarnava (also known as hogweed) is a traditional Ayurvedic remedy for anemia. The plant is high in iron and other nutrients that support circulation, blood health, and the overall health of the body. The main benefit of the plant is in its regulation of fluids in the prevention of edema and arthritis pain, which can also be symptoms of anemia.

Eat Sesame Seeds

Black sesame seeds are high in a variety of nutrients that relieve anemia symptoms. They are one of the few seeds that contain iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, selenium, and most B vitamins in high amounts. There are two ways to prepare sesame seeds to make them easier to consume.

Preparation 1: Soak your sesame seeds in water for two hours. Grind the seeds into a paste. Mix the paste into a cup of warm milk and a teaspoon of honey. Drink this concoction once a day until anemia symptoms are gone.

Preparation 2: Soak the sesame seeds in water for one or two hours. Grind the seeds into a paste. Mix one teaspoon of honey with the paste. Spread the paste onto toast or bread and eat like peanut butter.

Eat More Liver

Liver is a food most of us avoid, but it is incredibly high in anemia-fighting nutrients. Liver, particularly chicken and beef liver, is extremely high in heme iron, which is difficult to get elsewhere. One serving of liver can contain up to 85 percent of the iron you need each day. Liver is also high in B vitamins, including B12, which is also important for the prevention of anemia. Just adding liver to your diet two or three times a week is enough to reverse most mild cases of anemia.

Make Yellow Dock Tea

Yellow dock is an herb rich in iron and other nutrients. If your anemia is caused by low iron, adding yellow dock to your diet will reverse symptoms of anemia within just a few weeks. Yellow dock also has the added benefit of boosting the total nutrient absorption rate of your body, meaning drinking yellow dock tea will make it easier for your body to use any vitamin anywhere in the body and you will lose fewer nutrients through the digestive process. This is particularly important for individuals who have trouble absorbing nutrients, such as individuals with digestive disorders.

How to Make Yellow Dock Tea

Ingredients:

• Yellow dock root
• Peony root
• Stinging nettle
• Dang gui
• Blackstrap molasses

1. Heat one pot of boiling water.
2. Add a tablespoon or two of each of the herbs listed above.
3. Let the herbs simmer in the water for an hour, leaving the pot covered.
4. Add a teaspoon of blackstrap molasses to each cup of tea that you drink.
5. Drink one cup of tea daily until anemia symptoms subside.

Eat Ash Gourd

Ash gourd, or winter melon, is a melon high in nutrients and minerals. The gourd is high in vitamin C, iron, B vitamins, and calcium, all important nutrients in preventing and reversing anemia. Add ash gourd powder to a nightly beverage to reap the health benefits, or if you can find it fresh, simply consume the melon one or more times a week.

Other Supplements for Anemia

Your doctor will likely prescribe a supplement routine to reverse anemia. Supplements are a natural way to reverse anemia without invasive procedures and side effects. The following supplements have been proven effective in the treatment of anemia:

Curing Anemia Starts at Home

If you suffer from anemia, your life is harder than it has to be. Tasks are harder and you get tired much more easily. With enough hemoglobin, you will have more energy and be able to handle everything the day throws at you.

Natural remedies for anemia usually include changing the diet to include more nutrients and adding supplements to reverse the symptoms of anemia. With a few simple changes, you can reverse your anemia naturally without much trouble. In just a few weeks, your symptoms should fade and you should start to feel better and have more energy than ever.