Natural Herbs For Sickle Cell Disease

Natural Herbs for Sickle Cell Disease

Dec 16, 2010 | By Tara Carson

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited health disorder characterized by a lack of red blood cells that results in poor blood oxygenation. Another aspect of sickle cell anemia involves the shape of the sufferers' blood cells. Normal red blood cells are round. However, sickle cells are shaped like sickles or crescent moons, and they stick together sometimes blocking blood vessels and inhibiting normal blood flow. Signs and symptoms of sickle cell include pain, swollen hands and feet, jaundice, infections, poor growth and declining vision, according to the MayoClinic.com website. Sickle cell anemia has no cure. However, herbal treatments can manage symptoms and relieve some of the pain associated with the disease.

Baobab

Baobab is an herb native to tropical Africa that also grows on the west coast of India. Derived from the African calabash tree, baobab is used in the Ayurvedic medical tradition to treat a variety of health disorders, including sickle cell anemia. The tree's bark is the part of baobab used for treating sickle cell anemia, according to "Indian Medicinal Plants."

Henna

Henna is a member of the Lythraceae family that is a native plant of Persia. The herb is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine and the leaves of the herb contain its medicinal component. The "Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India" says the leaves can be used to treat jaundice, which is a symptom of sickle cell anemia, and blood disorders. Specifically, henna may decrease the levels of sickle-shaped cells in sufferers of the disease, according to "Indian Medicinal Plants."

Garlic

Garlic is a well-known culinary spice and medicinal herb used for more than 5,000 years. This medicinal herb has been an significant part of traditional Chinese medicine. According to the PeaceHealth website, garlic is a treatment for sickle cell anemia. Whole cloves of garlic can be taken as a supplement. The recommended dose is 600 to 900mg per day, taken in divided doses, which is the equivalent of approximately two cloves of garlic.