Certain supplements may be helpful in treating or preventing blood clots. According to MedlinePlus, blood clots manifest when your blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that develops inside your blood vessels or within your heart is called a thrombus. If your thrombus breaks loose and travels downstream, it is called an embolus. Before taking supplements to help treat or prevent blood clots, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Dandelion
Dandelion, also known as Taraxacum officinalis, is an herbal supplement that may be helpful for your blood clots. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, dandelion, a member of the Aster family, has been used in numerous traditional medical systems to help treat many health problems. Dandelion is an edible, flowering plant native to Europe, Asia and North America, has a bitter and sweet taste and possesses drying and cooling tendencies. The entire plant -- roots, leaves and flowers -- is used for medicinal purposes. Dr. William A. Mitchell, Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that dandelion is an alterative, or a substance that cleanses your blood. Dandelion also possesses anti-platelet aggregation action, which means that it stops platelets in your blood from clumping together to form a clot, or thrombus.
Garlic
Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that garlic, also known as Allium sativa, is a hypotensive, hypoglycemic, anticoagulant and anti-thrombotic, or a substance that helps prevent blood clot formation. Tilgner notes that garlic, a member of the lily family, is used to help decrease plaque accumulation in the lining of your arteries and may be helpful in treating numerous cardiovascular diseases, including elevated blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease and diabetes. Garlic is a plant cultivated throughout the world for culinary and medicinal purposes, has a warm and pungent taste and possesses heating, stimulating and drying tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the cloves of the plant to help treat and prevent blood clot formation. Tilgner cautions that supplements containing garlic may cause gastrointestinal disturbance in some individuals.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo, a member of the Ginkgoaceae family, is the oldest living tree species on the planet and can grow to a maximum height of 120 feet. Ginkgo, also known as Ginkgo biloba, has a slightly sour taste, possesses short branches with fan-shaped leaves and bears inedible fruit that generates a strong odor. The leaves of the tree are used to help treat numerous health problems, including blood clots. Tilgner states that ginkgo is an anti-thrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that increases blood flow to your limbs and brain and decreases platelet aggregation, or blood clot formation, which helps prevent strokes. Tilgner notes that ginkgo may also be helpful in treating vertigo, ringing in your ears, cataracts, intermittent claudication, varicose veins and erectile dysfunction. Tilgner cautions that supplements containing ginkgo may cause gastrointestinal upset, headaches and increased bleeding time in some individuals.
References
- MedlinePlus: Blood Clots
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Dandelion
- "Plant Medicine in Practice;" William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
