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Ayurveda & Anemia
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Swami Sadashiva Tirtha
Author: Ayurveda Encyclopedia & Bhagavad Gita For Modern Times, D.Sc. Ayurvedic Research, Founder: Swami Narayan Tirtha Math
 
By Swami Sadashiva Tirtha
Published on 02/3/2005
 
Anemia is a deficiency in the quality or quantity of one's blood. It is generally a Pitta (fire) derangement. Generally the liver is involved, as bile enters the blood and thins it out. The refined eye of Ayurveda also notes that anemia, like most imbalances, can be caused by any of the three doshas. Vayu anemia is due to deficiency and/or malnourishment; Kapha anemia is caused partly by excess weight, congestion and edema.
Ayurveda & Anemia
Anemia is a deficiency in the quality or quantity of one's blood. It is generally a Pitta (fire) derangement. Generally the liver is involved, as bile enters the blood and thins it out. The refined eye of Ayurveda also notes that anemia, like most imbalances, can be caused by any of the three doshas. Vayu anemia is due to deficiency and/or malnourishment; Kapha anemia is caused partly by excess weight, congestion and edema.

You can determine whether you have anemia by several factors, pale or lifelessness, low energy, low grade fever or burning sensation, irregular elimination or yellowish and scanty urine, indigestion, vertigo, fainting, fatigue, and women may notice a pale or scanty menstrual flow, or no flow at all, the inner part of the lower eyelid will have no redness to it and if you squeeze your hand into a fist for a few seconds and release, the blood will take a long time to return to the palm.

There are many causes for anemia, both dietary and lifestyle. Excess hot, sour and salty foods, and alcohol derange the blood. Malnutrition is another cause. A traumatic injury, pregnancy, excess menstruation or bleeding condition, febrile diseases, liver disorders and excess sexual indulgence can derange the kidneys, blood and ojas or life sap creating an anemic situation. For women, immediately after a menstrual cycle, blood building herbs are recommended.

GENERAL BLOOD BUILDERS: Organic milk from free range cows & boiled, black sesame seeds, pomegranate or black grape juice, molasses, sucanat (whole cane sugar) are all good foods. Iron supplements, vitamin A & E are useful only if taken with ginger or cinnamon to help assimilate the mineral. Chyavan prash, 2-3 tsp. twice daily with the warm milk, turmeric and ghee are all useful suggestions. A mild laxative is suggested to regulate the bowls, helping drain the excess bile from the liver; aloe vera gel and triphala are the gentlest treatments.

GENERAL HERBAL THERAPY: In addition to aloe and triphala, saffron, shatavari, manjishtha and punarnava are the main treatments.

GENERAL GEM THERAPY: Red coral (or any red stones like garnet or ruby) improve blood circulation, particularly for Vayu and Kapha doshas. Pearl or moonstone are good for Vayu and Pitta constitutions.

SPECIFIC TREATMENTS: Each constitution or dosha is suggested to follow their food guidelines.

MEAT: Ayurveda suggests using meat only as a medicine since meat does not actually rebuild and regenerate the cells and tissues. In the case of extreme weakness, such as advanced cases of anemia, red meat (or its substitutes like liver pills) and bone soups are useful to take until the anemia is treated.

This article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe. It in no way is intended to substitute for care from duly licensed health professionals.