Natural Remedies for Anemia & Low Iron Levels

• A specific formula is given in Vedic literature for a cleansing, detoxifying herbal remedy for vata-type anemia. It is called gandharva haritaki, which is haritaki powder roasted in castor oil in an iron pan. Place 1 tablespoon castor oil in an iron pan and heat on the stove; when the oil is warm enough, sauté 1 ounce of the herb haritaki. The haritaki will become thick and will turn slightly brown.

(You have to stir it.) Take ½ teaspoon of gandharva haritaki at bedtime, washed down with warm water. Take it for 2 months or until the blood returns to normal. : This mixture may cause loose stools; if this happens, reduce your dosage until NOTE comfortable. For pitta anemia, Ayurveda suggests shatavari ghee.

(The shatavari and the FOR PITTA-TYPE ANEMIA ghee are cooked together. Directions for preparing herbalized and medicated ghees and oils appear in appendix 2.) Take 1 teaspoon of shatavari ghee 3 times a day, before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. • One can also use this herbal formula: shatavari 5 parts brahmi 3 parts neem 2 parts loha bhasma ⅛ part Mix these herbs, and take ½ teaspoon of the mixture 3 times a day with 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel. This combination will be quite effective in treating pitta-type anemia.

Where there is swelling, use: FOR KAPHA-TYPE ANEMIA punarnava 5 parts gokshura 3 parts kutki 2 parts Take ½ teaspoon of this herbal mixture twice a day with a few sips of warm water. Or you can mix it with a little honey and then wash it down with water. FOR ALL TYPES OF ANEMIA . Iron is a good blood builder, so foods rich in iron, such as beets, carrots, EAT IRON-RICH FOODS grapes, raisins, and currants, are used in the Ayurvedic treatment of most anemias.

Figs, dates, and date sugar are also good sources of iron. Pomegranate juice and cranberry juice can be used as blood builders, as can a combination of beet and carrot juice. (Add a pinch of cumin to your carrot/beet juice for maximum effect.) Chlorophyll is also a good source of iron, and many times Ayurveda does suggest using chlorophyll, generally in the form of spinach, chard, and other fresh green vegetables. Eat a cup of plain yogurt with up to 1 teaspoon turmeric on an empty YOGURT AND TURMERIC stomach, morning and afternoon.