Blood Thinner Coumadin & Its Side Effects

Coumadin is a potent anticoagulant or a blood thinning medicine that is often prescribed for preventing strokes and heart attacks. This drug blocks certain clotting factors in the blood and therefore, prevents the formation of blood clots. However, there are a few side effects that have been associated with Coumadin, such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, pain, swelling, headaches, dizziness, weakness, easy bruising, numbness and excess bleeding. This medicine can also increase the risks of kidney problems, heart diseases, osteoporosis, cognitive malfunction, arterial calcification and high blood pressure. Some medical experts claim that this drug kills off the Vitamin K in the body and interferes with the effects of other medication. Therefore, Coumadin is not recommended for pregnant women as well as those who are suffering from certain medical conditions.

Fortunately, there are several natural remedies that also have anticoagulant properties. Foods and herbs that act as blood thinners include:

Garlic: A chemical known as Allicin, present in garlic, contains anticoagulant properties. According to the University Of Maryland Medical Center, garlic helps prevent heart diseases in many ways. Not only does this spice decrease bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, it also prevents platelet aggregation in the blood, thereby reducing clotting.
Ginger: Preliminary studies conducted by the University Of Maryland Medical Center show that ginger could prevent the formation of clots in the blood. However, further studies are required in order to confirm if this spice can protect the body against blood vessel blockage.
Fish Oil: Cod liver oil and other varieties of fish oil make the platelets in the body quite slippery, due to which they cannot stick together in order to form a clot.

Several individuals are also asked to add a Vitamin E supplement to their diet, in order to make their blood thinner. Herbal remedies that have a similar effect on your body include:

Alfalfa
Celery
Chamomile
Dong quai
Fenugreek
Feverfew
Gingko Biloba
Horse chestnut
Licorice
Meadowsweet
Poplar
Red clover
Tree ear mushroom
Willow or willow bark

However, while these natural remedies have a thinning effect on your blood, they cannot be regarded as a substitute for an anticoagulant like Coumadin, probably because their effectiveness can hardly be compared to that of a blood thinning drug. You can however, add these natural substances to your diet in order to reduce your dose of Coumadin after getting a go ahead from your doctor. Make sure that you neither stop, nor start taking any medication, including Coumadin, without first checking with your medical healthcare provider.

References

answered by M W

There are many natural remedies which can act as natural anti-platelet aggregators - one of which is fish oil (particularly salmon and/or krill oil.) However, there is a very fine line between too "thick" and too "thin" blood. This is why blood is tested on a regular basis when you are taking a blood thinner such as Coumadin. It is important you work with a trained health care practitioner who can help you manage the totality of your health condition(s) and not just one symptom such as blood viscosity.

answered by Dr K B N

Is there a natural remedy that I could take instead of coumadin?