Anemia - Ayurvedic / herbal medicines

What is Anemia?

If your body does not have enough red blood cells, this condition is called as anemia. There are many factors involved and anemia is classified according to its deficiencies. Usually Red blood cells origin is from bone marrow, and healthy red blood cells last from 90 days to 120 days. Hemoglobin is a part of red blood cells with oxygen-carrying protein capacity, if the hemoglobin is low, it is the condition of anemia.

Types of Anemia

There are various types of anemia such as Anemia due to some vitamin and mineral deficiencies like B12, Folate, Iron etc., Hemolytic anema, Idiopathic aplastic anemia, Anemia due to chornic disease, Megaloblastic anemia, secondary aplastic anemia, sickle cell anemia, pernicious anemia, Thalassemia anemia etc.

Causes of Anemia

There are many possible causes like medications, chronic diseases like cancer, colitis, arthritis, kidney failure etc. If there is blood loss due to menstruation, anal bleeding etc may also lead to anemia. Other causes like in pregnancy, and poor diet, there may be chances of anemia. If there is lymphoma, leukemia, or myeloma where bone marrow is involved, chances of anemia is possible. In many individuals for those who have hypothyroidism may also suffer from anemia.

Diagnosis of Anemia

Anemia is diagnosed when symptoms become acute and many individuals have anemia without even aware of it.

Basically, anemia is treatable and manageable with proper precautions. Even, in children, if there is any kind deficiencies, that can be noticed with their acts, like consuming mud, nails, or chalks which indicates lack of calcium, or iron etc.

Preventions for Anemia in Ayurveda

Diet for Anemia

In ayurveda Anemia is compared with Pandu Roga or kind of jaundice. As ayurveda focuses on prevention is better than cure. One should understand that usage of adequate nutrition and balanced nutrition and diet is very important. As anemia is mainly on dietary deficiency disease, it can be prevented by improving quality of blood and quality of the blood can be improved by consuming balanced diet with sources like folic acids, vitamin B12, iron, vitamin C in diet. Dietary sources are mainly Green leafy vegetables, Dry fruits, nuts, and seeds, beet root, lentils, meat etc., that contain iron, and folic acids. Eggs, meat, milk products to contain vitamin B12. Citrus fruits contain vitamin C.

Here precautionary measures are taken while on supplements that one should not consume excess supplements which may cause hypervitaminosis. In few cases, for proper synthesis of these vitamin B12, iron, folic acids, and vitamin C, few products may hamper like beverages (tea or coffee), egg yolk, and these kind of food products should be avoided or minimized.

Herbs for Anemia

In ayurveda, there are certain herbs which are helpful for anemic condition such as Fenugreek, Wormwood, Chicory, Gokulakanta, Ash Gourd, Bitter melon, Onion, Chicory, and Dill etc. these herbs can be used in different modes like in cooking or in the form of medications.

Supplements for Anemia

In different stages of life and males and females, there may be chances of variation of hemoglobin and there will be anemic condition and as supplement, a lady who is trying to conceive may need to consume supplements like folic acid supplements as mentioned earlier, during pregnancy, there will be chances a anemia and in order to compensate, one can consume supplements like folic acids which is important.

In few individuals, though sources are available, there may be chances of hampering synthesis of vitamins, or minerals. In this case, there are many ayurvedic remedies and medicines which are supportive for managing anemia and for the synthesis of dietary sources.

Ayurvdic Medicines for Anemia

Following medicines are examples which are indicated for anemia such as

Punarnava Mandoor, Abhraloha particularly for pregnant ladies. Another herbo-mineral medicine Divya Swarna Makshik Bhasm which is particularly helpful for iron deficiency anemia. Few more examples of ayurvedic medications for anemic condition such as Livomap Tablets, Divya Lohasavam etc.

Tests for Anemia

It is recommended that every individual may go for regular blood checkups to assess their health condition and if there is anemia, one should try to plan their schedules with dietary supplements and one can prefer medications in alternative systems as they not only act as a source, also helps to synthesize and metabolism.

You can go for regular CBC or complete blood cell count which is important to and relevant for diagnosis of anemia. Following tests are included in CBC such as Red blood cell (RBC) count, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, White blood cell (WBC) count, Differential blood count, Platelet count. In this Red blood cell (RBC) count, Hemoglobin, and Hematocrit are important to assess anemia.

Take Doctor's advice for Anemia

However, in order to tract your vitamin and mineral requirements, one should be in touch with doctor for doubts and clarifications. Because there are some exclusion criteria like in elder people and with the individuals with chronic medications for lungs and heart diseases must follow-up with doctor for expert advice. One should not ignore unnoticed bleedings like excess menstrual bleedings, or bleeding per rectum, should contact doctor immediately. Other disorder is sickle cell anemia where you need regular followup with doctor though you are under supplements.

Yoga for Anemia

The role of alternative medicines are simple so as to enhance metabolism. For example, yoga and meditation involves a rhythmic breathing method where one can give adequate oxygenation to the cell levels which is very important

Conclusion

After understanding the concept, one should be aware that anemia in initial stages can be controlled with diet and herbal medications or herbo-mineral medications as mentioned above. However, one must not overlook by thinking anemia is simple disorder. In Naturopathy fruit diet and unique diet methods are effective to treat anemic conditions with chronic and acute symptoms.