Anticoagulants

     Some people call anticoagulants blood thinners. However, the blood is not actually made any thinner. Anticoagulants are medicines that prevent the blood from clotting as quickly or as effectively as normal. The main possible side-effect of anticoagulants is bleeding. Many synthetic anticoagulants interact with some other medicines and foods. If you are prescribed or buy any other medicine always tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking an anticoagulant or before switching to an herbal.  Blood clots can block an artery or a vein (blood vessels), a blocked artery stops blood and oxygen from getting to a part of your body. The tissue supplied by a blocked artery becomes damaged, or dies, and this results in serious problems such as a stroke or heart attack.

      Some work by blocking vitamin K, which prevents blood clots forming so easily by increasing the time it takes to make fibrin. It usually takes two or three days for these medicines to work fully.

Anticoagulants are used to treat or help with;

·             Atrial fibrillation (fast irregular heartbeat). Having atrial fibrillation is one of the most common reasons for taking an anticoagulant.

·         A mechanical heart valve.

• Endocarditis (infection of the inside of the heart).
• Mitral stenosis (one of the valves in the heart does not fully open).
• Certain blood disorders that affect how your blood clots (inherited thrombophilia, antiphospholipid syndrome).
• Had surgery to replace a hip or knee.

     Aspirin has an effect of preventing clots by preventing platelets sticking together. However, it is classed as an antiplatelet agent rather than an anticoagulant. Anticoagulants interfere with chemicals needed to make clots or clotting factors. Some natural anticoagulants include; garlic, ginger, white willow, turmeric, feverfew and angelica.

       Using garlic is usually prescribed as supplements in two 200mg daily three times a day.

       Ginger is usually taken four times daily in 500mg doses.

       Like garlic turmeric is consumed three times daily in 200mg doses.

       White willow is consumed as a tea three to four times each day by steeping one or two teaspoons of dried bark in 8 ounces of hot water for a period of 15 minutes or 240 milligrams of this herb in capsule form daily.

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Garlic (Allium Sativum)

This hardy perennial bulb is widely available in any grocery store and has amazing medicinal qualities. In WWI doctors squeezed fresh garlic juice in wounds to control infections. But the use of garlic has gone back even longer than that it was used as a protector against evil. European folklore tells that people put garlic in a small bag and tied it around a child's neck to protect against a cold or their tummy to protect from worms. The core benefits include antibiotic, detoxifying, lower cholesterol and blood pressure.  Garlic can be used to halt a cold or flu by letting the good oils from crushed garlic cloves be absorbed into your skin. This method is best if used on the sole of your feet overnight at the first sign of illness. This is because the skin on your feet is very sensitive. Garlic helps prevent heart disease as recommended by The University of Maryland Medical Center. Not only does it decrease bad cholesterol it increases good cholesterol. Garlic helps prevent platelet aggregation, also known as blood clotting. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, allicin appears to be the chemical property in garlic with the anticoagulant powers. The dosage required varies for each person so if you are looking into replacing your anticoagulant with an herb alternative talk to your local Herbalist or Natural Consultant about using garlic capsules.This herb prefers moist, well-drained soil and sun. Plant individual cloves 1 1/2in (4cm) deep in late autumn. Once grown, stop watering allowing the plant to dry out and dig the bulb out in early summer. hang bulb to dry fully or preserve.