Jack Challem
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 Note: Very high doses of fish oil will have a blood-thinning effect, which your doctor should monitor if you are taking blood-thinning medications.
High-potency multivitamins. A Canadian study found that a proprietary multivitamin-multimineral supplement may reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder. The formulation, called E M Power + (EMP, or "empower plus"), originated as a veterinary product to calm agitated farm animals; however, clinical testing of the product by doctors at the University of Calgary, Canada, found it helpful in young and middle-aged bipolar patients. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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 Avoid in cases of diarrhea, poor digestion, abdominal distention, heavy menstrual flow, or high fever with a strong fast pulse, or when using blood-thinning medications. Use of dong quai can increase photosensitivity.
Range and Appearance
Dong quai is a 2- to 3-foot-tall perennial native to the mountain forests of China. Its root consists of a whitish or yellowish gray main section with longer branches, both of which are used medicinally. The stem is purplish, glabrous, and slightly striated. The inferior and often the superior leaves are pinnate. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
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 C 73 m n c
73 m
If you're already on blood-thinning medications, be sure to work with your health practitioner if you're eating natto or taking nattokinase. Nattokinase will affect your clotting factors. As discussed above, natto itself contains vitamin K2, which while great for healthy bones, can also interfere with blood-clotting medications. Work with someone knowledgeable in both medications and natural substances if you're going to either get off blood clotting meds or use them with natural substances that work similarly. |
Bottom Line Health
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| For example, certain dietary supplements can increase the action of blood-thinning medications, thinning the blood to dangerous levels, she says.
If your doctor isn't comfortable with an alternative or complementary approach that you feel strongly about, you still have options, Black-man maintains. Either find a new physician or continue seeing your doctor, alerting him/her about your decision to use the complementary or alternative approach. Then, you can consult someone else who is knowledgeable about the alternative therapy.
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| Because garlic has a blood-thinning effect, it should not be used if you take aspirin regularly or an anticoagulant drug, such as warfarin (Coumadin).
To minimize bleeding risk, ask your doctor about discontinuing garlic supplements at least one week before undergoing elective surgery.
Typical dose: One clove of fresh, minced garlic daily or 200 to 300 mg of standardized garlic powder, taken in pill or tablet form, three times daily. |
| Possible side effects: Ginger can have a blood-thinning effect, so check with your doctor before using it if you take an anticoagulant, such as warfarin. Ginger may cause an upset stomach in people who take doses larger than those described above.
TURMERIC
What it does: Helps prevent atherosclerosis, some types of cancer and Alzheimer's disease... reduces the pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.. .eliminates indigestion. . .and eases the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). |
| Other blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or clopidogrel (Plavix), also significantly reduce stroke risk for some people.
•Ask your doctor about statins. This class of cholesterol-lowering drugs appears to reduce stroke risk by approximately 25%, even in people who have normal cholesterol. Side effects can include muscle pain, nausea and diarrhea or constipation.
•If you smoke, quit. Smokers are several times more likely than nonsmokers to have a stroke. Within 10 years of quitting smoking, the risk of having a stroke is almost the same as for someone who has never smoked. |
| What you can do: Taking a blood-thinning drug, such as warfarin (Coumadin), can virtually eliminate AF's added stroke risk by preventing the formation of blood clots. Aspirin may be nearly as effective.
•Transient ischemic attack (TIA). If you have had one or more of these brief strokelike episodes, your risk for a full-blown stroke increases dramatically. A TIA can cause dizziness, numbness or paralysis on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, double vision or other stroke symptoms that disappear after minutes or hours. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| Avoid in cases of hemophilia or other risk of hemorrhage, and do not use in conjunction with blood-thinning medications or iodine supplements. Avoid giving willow bark to children with a viral infection accompanied by headache to avoid the risk of Reye's syndrome. Those who suffer from tinnitus or who are allergic to aspirin should use willow with caution.
Range and Appearance
Willows are fast-growing, deciduous trees that can grow to 70 feet tall. The leaves are long, narrow, and lance shaped, with a silvery color that appears on both sides but is more pronounced on the back. |
Marshall Editions
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 Do not use this herb with blood-thinning medications.
Stinging nettles, bitter orange, bromelain, and perilla: In a review of over 100 cases, it was found that allergies were related to an average of 50% of ear conditions that contribute to hearing loss. These herbs demonstrate significant anti-allergy activity. Combine equal parts in tincture form and take 5 ml in water daily.
Grape seed, green tea, and pomegranate: New research has shown that many of the toxins found in cigarettes are directly related to hearing loss. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| Constituents
Protein, polysaccharides, iodine, sulfur, bromine, mucilage, carrageenans, beta-carotene, vitamin
Energetic Correspondences
• Flavor: sweet, salty
• Temperature: cool
• Moisture: moist
• Polarity: yin
• Planet: Moon
• Element: water
Contraindications
Because Irish moss has some blood-thinning properties, people who are on anticoagulating medications should avoid its use.
Range and Appearance
Irish moss is a seaweed that prevails on the rocky coasts of the North Atlantic. It can appear in a wide range of colors, from white to yellow, red, or purple. |
Marshall Editions
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| Avoid using garlic in large amounts or when taking blood-thinning medications.
Thyme: This is a potent antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory herb that also has antioxidant properties. A few drops of the essential oil diluted with in Yi tsp of olive oil can be placed on the patches of thrush daily. Do not use in large amounts if pregnant.
Oregano oil: This oil eradicates yeast on the membrane of the mouth. Take a few drops of essential oil diluted in 1 tsp of olive oil and swish the mixture around the mouth for 10 seconds before spitting it out. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| Because reishi can inhibit blood clotting, it should be avoided at least one week before surgery, before childbirth, or in conjunction with blood-thinning medications.
Range and Appearance
Native to China, reishi is a fungus that grows on decaying hardwood in moist, shady conditions; these days it is more likely to be cultivated than to be found in the wild. Reishi has pores instead of gills. When young it has yellow and white coloring on its surface. The mature fruiting body ranges in color from orangish to black, but the red variety is considered most medicinal. |
Jack Challem
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| Note: The omega-3 fish oils have a mild blood-thinning effect. Alternatively, you may try 1.5 grams daily of DHA.
Magnesium. If you have persistent feelings of irritability, take 400 mg of magnesium citrate, which is better absorbed than other forms of magnesium. Magnesium is a muscle relaxant and a cofactor in the production of serotonin. Note: If a single dose of 400 mg loosens your stools, take 200 mg twice daily.
GABA and L-theanine. Daily supplements of GABA (gamma aminobu-tyric acid) and L-theanine can increase the brain's alpha waves, which are associated with relaxation. |
David W. Grotto, RD, LDN
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 Ginger has blood-thinning qualities and may be contraindicated if you are on blood thinners. Check with your doctor or a registered dietitian for advice on the inclusion of ginger.
Tips on Using Ginger
SELECTION AND STORAGE:
• Ginger can be found fresh, pickled, dried, or in powdered form.
• Choose fresh ginger that is free from bruises, and light brown to cream in color.
• Fresh ginger should be stored at room temperature.
PREPARATION AND SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
• Fresh ginger provides the freshest taste and can be shredded, finely minced, sliced, or grated, and does not have to be peeled. |
| Mangoes, when combined with blood-thinning medication, may make your blood too thin! Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian about including mangoes in your diet.
Tips on Using Mango
SELECTION AND STORAGE:
CAN YOU SMELL WHAT THE MANGO'S GOT COOKIN'? When it's ripe, you will be able to smell the sweetness of the mango from the stem end of the fruit.
• Red and yellow are typically the color of ripeness but color is not always the determining factor. The skin should give a little when pressed. |
Donna Jackson Nakazawa
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 As the medical director and founder of the Clinical Thrombosis Center at Lovelace Sandia Health Systems in Albuquerque, Spyropoulos was presenting his research on designing new ways to use blood-thinning drugs. He also happened to be the author of a case report in a medical journal on a newly emerging autoimmune disease that dangerously altered clotting factors.
Reeling from what she calls a kind of "mortal exhaustion," Jan approached Dr. Spyropoulos after his hour-long lecture and put forth the question, "How could an active woman like me have recurring clotting even on blood thinners? |
Steven V. Joyal
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 Before trying curcumin, tell your doctor if you are taking any blood-thinning medications (such as warfarin, aspirin), if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have gallstones, an ulcer, or liver or bile obstruction. Side effects are rare.
DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is manufactured in the body and secreted by the adrenal glands, has been called the "mother of all hormones" because it serves as a precursor to both male and female sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen. |
Hyla Cass, M.D.
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 Has blood-thinning effects when taken as a supplement, which helps prevent heart attacks and some strokes.
• Works with vitamin E to prevent oxidation of fats throughout the body, providing improved protection against premature aging and chronic disease.
CoQ10 is found in many foods, mostly meats, vegetable oils (including soybean), fish, nuts, and some vegetables, but the daily intake of the average person through diet is below 5 mg—a fraction of the amount usually taken in supplement form (30 to 300 mg). |
David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes
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 Herb/Drug Interactions: None known, but caution should be used if combining this herb with blood-thinning medication.
PASSIONFLOWER
Botanical Name: Passiflora incarnata Part Used: Herb
Passionflower herb is a nervine, sedative, antispasmodic, and anxiolytic herb. Of all of the nervines, it has the most defined sedating effect. The specific indication of the need for passionflower is circular thinking that causes insomnia. The person can't shut off his mind at night, and he lays in bed thinking about the day, yesterday, tomorrow, last month, next month, what if this, and if only that. |
| Herb/Drug Interactions: Some authors recommend against using ginkgo with blood-thinning medication. A recent study found no significant interaction between ginkgo and warfarin (Coumadin) in the usual dose levels. Still, it is a good idea to use caution if you are using ginkgo with such drugs and ask your doctor to schedule regular blood tests to be sure there is no interaction. Older reports claim that ginkgo has monoamine oxidase-inhibiting effects, but this information seems to be incorrect. In one study, ginkgo reduced anorgasmia in women taking antidepressant medications. |
| Herb/Drug Interactions: Use cautiously with blood-thinning medication.
Selected Research Studies
Anticancer Effects of Ganoderma lucidum: A Review of Scientific Evidence (Yuen and Gohel 2005).
This article is a review of several small human and animal studies as well as in vitro studies done on reishi. The authors concluded that the mushroom not only may enhance the immune system but also has some antitumor activity. In one quoted study, 65 percent of patients with lung cancer had an improved quality of life and enhanced cellular immune response after using reishi. |
| Herb/Drug Interactions: Use jiaogulan cautiously with warfarin (Coumadin) or other blood-thinning medications. Animal studies have indicated that taking jiaogulan with tranquilizers or sedatives may increase the effects of those drugs. Use them cautiously together.
Selected Research Studies
Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Hyperlipidaemia (La Cour, Molgaard, and Yi 1995).
Several Chinese herbs were tested for their ability to lower levels of
LDL and VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides. In this and other studies, jiaogulan was shown to reduce unhealthy blood lipid levels. |
Carol Simontacchi
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 Because chondroitin has blood-thinning effects, people who have bleeding disorders or are taking aspirin or blood-thinning medications should have their blood-clotting times checked.
The Recommended Doses
The standard recommended dosage for these supplements is 1,500 mg of glucosamine and 1,200 mg of chondroitin per day, divided into several doses.
ESSENTIAL MINERALS
Every cell in the body depends on minerals. Minerals are needed for the proper composition of body fluids, the formation of blood and bone, the maintenance of healthy nerve function, and the regulation of muscle tone. |
| Because of the blood-thinning properties of this supplement, fish oil should not be taken when blood-thinning medications are also in use. If other cardiovascular medications are in use, it is wise to check with a nutritionally trained physician prior to using fish oil supplementation.
The Recommended Dose
The standard recommended fish oil dosage is 1 to 4 g per day, preferably taken with meals. Because oils are extremely volatile—sensitive to light, heat, and oxygen—it is imperative to select a high-quality product. |
| Due to its blood-thinning properties, it should not be taken with blood-thinning drugs. The herb should also be avoided by anyone with autoimmune disorders such as lupus or multiple sclerosis, because it has been found to stimulate the immune system, and thus may cause flare-ups. Finally, cat's claw should not be used before or after an organ or tissue transplant.
_CURCUMIN_
Curcumin is an extract of turmeric—a spice well known for imparting a golden color and distinctive flavor to Indian and Thai cuisine. |
Marshall Editions
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| Do not use dong quai during the first trimester of pregnancy or with blood-thinning medications.
W
Stinging nettle: One study of those suffering from tinnitus demonstrated that 33% of people tested had tinnitus related to allergies. Nettle leaf has anti-inflammatory and antiallergic qualities as its key constituents, which act as antihistamines while significantly decreasing pro-inflammatory chemicals within the body. Take 4 g of dried leaf or 6 ml of tincture a day.
Butterbur: Butterbur acts to decrease histamine, one of the main chemicals released by the body in an allergic reaction. |
Carol Simontacchi
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| Because of the blood-thinning properties of this supplement, fish oil should not be taken when blood-thinning medications are also in use. If other cardiovascular medications are in use, it is wise to check with a nutritionally trained physician prior to using fish oil supplementation.
The Recommended Dose
The standard recommended fish oil dosage is 1 to 4 g per day, preferably taken with meals. Because oils are extremely volatile—sensitive to light, heat, and oxygen—it is imperative to select a high-quality product. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| Those taking blood-thinning medication should avoid using alfalfa.
Range and Appearance
Native to Asia, alfalfa was an important crop for the Arabs, who fed it to their fabled racehorses. Spanish conquistadors brought it to Chile and Mexico, where it was grown as animal fodder in the mid-18 00s, earning it the nickname Chilean clover. It now can be found in cultivation or in the wild worldwide.
Alfalfa can grow in a wide variety of locales, both moist and dry, and is often found by roadsides and in fields. This perennial plant can reach a height of 2 to 3 feet. |
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