Understanding Blood Thinners and Their Role

Blood thinners are nothing but anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs. These drugs keep blood clots from forming which can cause heart attacks, strokes, and other perilous situations in those who are at a risk of forming these clots. So, before we step into the world of natural alternatives, let’s see how these medications function. Below we have discussed how blood thinners work.  

What blood thinners do? 

There are two main types of blood thinners: anticoagulants and antiplatelets. Anticoagulants slow down the creation of blood clots. Antiplatelets stop blood platelets from sticking together to form clots. Both help blood flow smoothly through the body. Because of this the blood thinners can help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. They do this by making blood clot formation less likely.  

Side effects of blood thinners 

Like all medicine, blood thinners may have side effects. These are listed below.  

  • Dizziness 
  • Weakness in muscles 
  • Hair loss 
  • Skin rashes 
  • Excessive bleeding, externally or internally  
     

It’s vital to keep a close watch on these side effects. Any worries must always be conveyed to your healthcare provider without fail. 

Possible drug interactions 

Blood thinners can interact with other medications, supplements, or some food types. This can lead to unwanted things like more bleeding risk or less effect of the blood thinner. Always check with your healthcare provider about what you’re eating and taking along with blood thinners. 

Natural Blood Thinners: A Research-Based Guide 

Certain natural items have shown possible blood-thinning traits. But caution must be taken to never replace prescribed blood thinners with natural items. Also, don’t take them without asking your healthcare provider. Below we have listed the natural items with proposed blood-thinning properties.  

1. Turmeric 

Turmeric is a yellow spice used a lot in Asian food. It’s known for many potential healing traits, especially due to its curcumin content. 

  • Curcumin’s role as a blood thinner 

Curcumin is the main active part of turmeric. Various studies have shown that it acts as an anticoagulant. It does that by inhibiting clotting factors and stopping blood clots from forming. 

  • Precautions and dosage 

Turmeric and curcumin supplements may offer possible health benefits. But, always ask your healthcare provider before adding them to your regimen. This is more crucial if you’re already on blood-thinning medicines. Be careful about the dose and possible interactions with other medicine. 

2. Ginger 

Ginger is a root related to turmeric. It holds salicylate, a natural chemical. This chemical acts like aspirin and stop blood clotting. Also ginger has something called gingerols. These show antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects in some research. Again, caution must be practiced and individuals must not use ginger in place of prescription drugs and one must always discuss it with their health care providers.  

  • How to peel and use ginger? 
  • Grate fresh ginger into teas, soups, or stir-fries. 
  • Have dried ginger in pills or powdered form (only if okayed by a healthcare provider). 
  • Chew small pieces of fresh ginger.  
     
  • Precautions and dosage 

Ask your healthcare provider before using ginger as a natural blood thinner. This is important, especially if you’re using prescribed blood thinners or other medications. 

3. Cinnamon 

Cinnamon holds a chemical named coumarin known for anticoagulant properties. 

  • Cassia cinnamon vs. Ceylon cinnamon 

There are two key types of cinnamon: Cassia and Ceylon. The first one has plenty of coumarin while the second does not. So, if you want it for its blood-thinning traits, pick Cassia over Ceylon. 

  • Precautions and dosage 

Cinnamon offers possible health benefits. But, a long intake of large dosages may harm the liver. Check with your healthcare provider before adding lots of cinnamon to the diet or taking cinnamon pills. This is more important if you’re already on blood thinning medicine. 

4. Cayenne peppers 

Cayenne peppers, with high levels of salicylates, also have blood thinner properties. They may also help in reducing blood pressure and stopping clotting. Capsaicin present gives cayenne peppers their spicy taste. It is proposed to have blood-thinning traits. It may promote circulation and reduce blood clotting. 

  • Precautions and dosage 

Ask your healthcare provider before including cayenne peppers in your food or before taking them in pill form. It’s vital to see if they’re safe for you, especially if you’re taking prescribed blood thinners or other drugs. 

5. Vitamin E 

Vitamin E has strong antioxidant qualities. It is proposed to act as a mild anticoagulant. 

  • Anticoagulant properties 

Research suggests that vitamin E may stop platelet grouping and help fibrinolysis. These outcomes avoid blood clot creation. 

  • Precautions and dosage 

It’s vital to speak with your healthcare provider before a large intake of Vitamin E or its supplements. They may interact with prescribed blood thinners or other medications. 

6. Garlic 

Garlic is an ingredient used worldwide. It is said to possess  mild antiplatelet traits. 

  • Allicin and blood-thinning properties 

Allicin is found in garlic. It  proposed to stop platelet grouping in an unchangeable way. This disrupts clot formation. 

  • Precautions and dosage 

Garlic offers possible health  benefits. But, always ask your healthcare provider before heavy garlic consumption or its supplements use. More  so if you’re already on blood thinning medications. 

7. Ginkgo biloba 

Ginkgo biloba is a Chinese plant and  often-used herbal pill, may have effects on blood circulation. 

  • Effects on blood circulation 

Research suggests that ginkgo biloba may be able to stop platelet grouping. It may act as a natural blood thinner, assisting overall blood circulation. 

  • Precautions and dosage 

Consult your healthcare provider before using ginkgo biloba as a natural blood thinner. This point is more crucial if you’re already taking prescribed blood thinners or other drugs. 

8. Grape seed extract 

Grape seed extract is known for its potential antioxidant traits. It may act as a natural blood thinner too. Antioxidants in grape seed extract protect cells from damage caused by oxidation. This harm is a factor in heart disease. 

  • Precautions and dosage 

Ask your healthcare provider before grape seed extract becomes part of your regimen. Particularly if you are also taking prescribed blood thinners or other drugs. 

9. Dong Quai 

Dong quai, a Chinese herb, is proposed to have mild blood-thinning abilities.Dong quai, or “female ginseng,” was used as a blood tonic in Chinese medicine. It has coumarin, known to have anticoagulant traits. 

  • Precautions and dosage 

Consult with your healthcare provider before using Dong quai. Especially if you’re already taking prescribed blood thinners or other drugs. 

10. Feverfew 

Feverfew, coming from the daisy family, is proposed to show  mild antiplatelet qualities. Feverfew is said to avoid platelet grouping and clot setting. 

  • Precautions and dosage 

Before trying feverfew consult your healthcare provider. More so, if you’re already taking prescribed blood thinners or other medicines. 

11. Bromelain 

Bromelain, sourced from pineapple, may have blood-thinning abilities. Studies show that bromelain may stop clot formation by hindering blood clotting protein production. 

  • Precautions and consumption 

Consult your healthcare provider before adding bromelain to your food routine or before taking it as a supplement. Especially if you’re already on prescribed blood thinners or other drugs. 

12. Aloe vera 

Aloe vera holds many potential health benefits, including small blood-thinning ones. 

  • Anti-inflammatory properties 

Aloe vera contains salicylates, like ginger and cayenne pepper. These chemicals in aloe vera may mildly act as anticoagulants and reduce blood clot  formation. 

  • Precautions and dosage 

Before heavy intake of aloe vera, ask your healthcare provider or before taking it as a supplement. More so if you’re already on prescribed blood thinners or other drugs. 

13. Evening primrose 

Evening primrose oil, a herbal pill, is said to possess slight blood-thinning effects. 

Studies say that evening primrose oil may stop blood clotting. It doesn’t allow platelet grouping. 

Precautions and dosage 

Consult your healthcare provider before using evening primrose oil or before taking it as a supplement. More  so if you’re already on prescribed blood thinners or other medicines. 

14. Melatonin 

Melatonin, a sleep-regulating hormone produced by the body, it is proposed to reduce blood clots with its antiplatelet effects. Research suggests that melatonin may have mild anticoagulant traits. It stops platelet grouping and aids overall blood circulation. 

  • Precautions and dosage 

Before adding melatonin pills to your routine. Check with your healthcare provider. More so if you’re already taking prescribed blood thinners or other drugs. 

Although the above-mentioned natural products have shown blood-thinning properties in studies, more large-scale human research is needed to confirm these.  

Also, never stop or taper your medication by yourself when to plan to include any of these remedies. Always discuss with your healthcare provider before initiation as they could suggest best whether or not you would need to continue with your medication when using these products and at what dose.  

Research has found that pine bark extract contains substances called proanthocyanidins, which can help stop blood from clotting too much by preventing platelets from sticking together. Studies also show that taking pine bark extract might be a good way to prevent blood clots and make blood flow better, and it doesn’t seem to cause any big problems.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D

Other Foods with Blood-Thinning Properties 

Vitamin K-rich food may interact with some blood-thinning medicines as vitamin K is needed by the liver to produce proteins called clotting factors (II, VII, IX, and X) without which blood cannot form clots. There for these foods may reduce the actions of blood thinners.  

Foods rich in vitamin K 

1. Green leafy vegetables 

Green vegetables like kale, spinach, and collard greens hold much vitamin K. 

2. Fruits 

Some fruits, like avocados, kiwis, and blackberries, have good amounts of vitamin K too. 

Working with a Healthcare Professional 

Using natural blood thinners along with prescribed ones, needs close watch by a healthcare provider. Only this can ensure a safe yet powerful management plan that answers any possible interactions between medications and the natural choices explored in this article. 

  • Monitoring blood thickness 

Regular tests and check-ups of blood to find out the blood clotting, bleeding time, thrombin time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen test, and CBC can help decide the best course. They also show any necessary changes needed in the management plan. 

  • Adjusting diet and medications 

Your healthcare provider may suggest changes to your diet or medicines, depending on the blood-thinning effects of natural options and their interactions with prescribed blood thinners. 

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