10 Natural Blood Thinners
- 1. Ronald T. Ackermann, MD. 'Garlic Shows Promise for Improving Some Cardiovascular Risk Factors.' Archives of Internal Medicine, JAMA Network, 26 Mar. 2001, jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/647744
- 2. 'Grape Seed Extract.' National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nccih.nih.gov/health/grape-seed-extract
- 3. Naderi, Gholam Ali, et al. 'Fibrinolytic Effects of Ginkgo Biloba Extract.' Experimental and Clinical Cardiology, Pulsus Group Inc, 2005, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2716226/
- 4. Pareek, Anil, et al. 'Feverfew (Tanacetum Parthenium L.): A Systematic Review.' Pharmacognosy Reviews, Medknow Publications Pvt Ltd, Jan. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210009/
- 5. Abebe, Worku. 'Review of Herbal Medications with the Potential to Cause Bleeding: Dental Implications, and Risk Prediction and Prevention Avenues.' The EPMA Journal, Springer International Publishing, 8 Jan. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6459456/
- 6. Kaur H;Corscadden K;Lott C;Elbatarny HS;Othman M; 'Bromelain Has Paradoxical Effects on Blood Coagulability: a Study Using Thromboelastography.' Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis : an International Journal in Haemostasis and Thrombosis, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25517253/
- 7. Kawatra, Pallavi, and Rathai Rajagopalan. 'Cinnamon: Mystic Powers of a Minute Ingredient.' Pharmacognosy Research, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, June 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4466762/
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Plants have been used for medicinal purposes throughout history. Many herbs are well-known for their potential health benefits, although not all health benefits associated with natural substances are supported by medical research. Several plants may have blood-thinning properties, which means they may inhibit clotting factors and reduce the risk of blood clots.5Abebe, Worku. ‘Review of Herbal Medications with the Potential to Cause Bleeding: Dental Implications, and Risk Prediction and Prevention Avenues.’ The EPMA Journal, Springer International Publishing, 8 Jan. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6459456/
Some people prefer to use natural blood thinners, such as food, drinks or supplements, to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. Blood-thinning medications should be taken as recommended by health care professionals. People taking such medications frequently need routine lab work to monitor clotting factors and adjust dosages.3Naderi, Gholam Ali, et al. ‘Fibrinolytic Effects of Ginkgo Biloba Extract.’ Experimental and Clinical Cardiology, Pulsus Group Inc, 2005, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2716226/
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Cinnamon
Cinnamon has been used as a medicine since the time of the ancient Egyptians. The spice comes from Cinnamomum trees. It contains coumarin, a natural anticoagulant. Many blood-thinning medications are derived from coumarin, and the substance is also an ingredient in some rodent poisons.
The two types of cinnamon are ceylon and cassia. Ceylon cinnamon has much lower levels of coumarin than cassia cinnamon, but most cinnamon available for sale is cassia cinnamon. Coumarin can affect liver function. People with liver damage or those taking other medications with warnings concerning liver health should ask their doctors before using cinnamon.7Kawatra, Pallavi, and Rathai Rajagopalan. ‘Cinnamon: Mystic Powers of a Minute Ingredient.’ Pharmacognosy Research, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, June 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4466762/
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