Natural Home Remedies for Blood Clots

Introduction

Gel-like collections of blood that form in our veins or arteries are known as blood clots. The blood changes its form, going from liquid to partially solid, jelly-like. Clotting is a normal body function that helps the body from excessive blood loss when we suffer from injuries or wounds. Nevertheless, when these blood clots are formed in places where they do not get dissolved, or on their own, they can cause serious threats to your health¹.  

A blood clot is usually initiated as a response to a wound on a blood vessel. An unwanted blood clot is called a thrombus. When a blood clot is stationary it is called thrombosis, while when this blood clot moves through the body, it is identified as a dangerous condition called thromboembolism or embolism. Blood clots can form both in the arteries (arterial clots) or the veins (venous clots).  

Knowledge of your condition and the risk factors involved may help you identify and prevent this potentially life-threatening condition.  

What Causes Blood Clots?

There can be several reasons for blood clot formation. You may also get a blood clot if you²:  

• Are a senior citizen above 65 years of age 
• Had surgery recently 
• Take hormone-based drugs or birth control pills 
• Underwent cancer treatment or have cancer 
• Had an injury or broken bones 
• Had a recent stroke or if you are paralysed 
• Are overweight or obese 
• Are bed-ridden or confined to a chair 
• Have an inserted port in your body 
• Have varicose veins 
• Go for a very long rail, road or air trip 
• Have heart issues 
• Have a medical history of blood clots 
• Have genetic factors 
• Are pregnant 
• Have a family history of antiphospholipid syndrome (a condition in which the immune system mistakenly creates antibodies that attack tissues in the body), Factor V Leiden disease (a mutation of one of the clotting factors in the blood), or polycythemia vera (A disease in which there are too many red blood cells in the bone marrow and blood, causing the blood to thicken).  
• Suffered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).  

Symptoms of Blood Clots

Symptoms of blood clots may depend on its location in your body. Some people may experience no symptoms at all.  

• If the blood clots are there in the brain, they can cause strokes. They can exhibit a variety of symptoms, based on what part of the brain is affected. The symptoms may vary from problems in seeing or speaking, difficulty in mobility, numbness and sometimes seizures.    
• If you have blood clots in your belly area, it can trigger pain or vomiting and nausea.    
• If a blood clot is formed in the leg or arm, you may observe that the part is tender to touch. You may also observe redness, swelling and warmth as symptoms of blood clots. You may experience pain or soreness in limbs. You may notice a warm point, or a new swelling on your arm or leg².  
• If the blood clot is in the lungs, it is a medical emergency; it may cause difficulty breathing, chest pain and blood coughing. A blood clot in the heart may cause a heart attack with symptoms such as sweating, pain that travels down the left arm, chest pain and/or breathlessness. If you experience any of these symptoms, immediately rush to the hospital.   

Suggested Home Remedies for Blood Clots

Read along further for a few home remedies for blood clot treatment for you to try at home. You must always consult your doctorbefore trying any of these on your own. Please note these might give momentary relief and not treat your clot permanently.  

1. Garlic

Garlic is known as an effective anti-coagulant food as it might prevent clotting of blood³. Garlic might help in blood thinning and reduces blood clot formation in the arteries. It further might help to prevent atherosclerosis. You may eat a few raw garlic cloves on an empty stomach in the morning.  

2. Bramhi

Brahmi has been traditionally used since long in both traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. It may help prevent formation of blood clots⁴. Bramhi can be consumed in the form of herbal juice, tea and powder at bed time for benefits.  

3. Tulsi

Tulsi has been used since ancient times to cure vascular diseases (disease that affects your circulatory system ) & other conditions. Tulsi extract has shown moderate to good activity in studies⁵ for breaking down clots. Since the preliminary studies make this claim, you must consult your doctor before using tulsi to manage blood clots. You can chew fresh tulsi leaves or drink tulsi tea for its benefits. You can prepare tulsi tea by boiling fresh or dried tulsi leaves in some water and straining the leaves.  

4. Turmeric

Turmeric extract has shown its benefits in dissolving blood clots in some studies⁵. Further studies are required to confirm this property of turmeric, therefore one must consult their doctor before using it to manage blood clots at home.  You can add turmeric to food items like curries and soups or add it to hot water to make tea. You may also have turmeric by adding it to a glass of warm milk and consuming it immediately.  

5. Neem

Neem extract was studied⁵ and found effective as it demonstrated good or moderate clot-breaking activity. To experience the benefits of neem, you can consume neem leaf extract or neem tablets.  

6. Dhamasa

Dhamasa has been studied⁶ in vitro to possess thrombolytic properties that may dissolve blood clots. The best way to have fagonia or dhamasa powder is to mix it with heated desi ghee and consume it immediately. 

You can prevent blood clots by following the simple measures given below:

• Wear loose-fitting clothes, socks, or stockings  
• Raise your legs 6 inches above your heart regularly  
• Avoid standing for long hours  
• Wear compression stockings  
• Exercise as per doctor’s advice  
• Change your position regularly; avoid sitting/lying in the same position for hours together 
• Have a low-salt diet
• Take prescribed medications on time 
• Avoid injuries 
• Avoid using pillows under your knees  
• Raise the leg-side of your bed² 

Do not neglect any symptoms associated with blood clots, as they can pose a life-threatening risk. Increased clotting time, elevated platelet levels, fluctuating blood pressure and abnormal coagulation profiles serve as indicators that aid in recognizing the potential for clotting. Seek immediate medical attention for accurate diagnosis and effective management of such conditions.

Dr. Arpit Verma, MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

When to Seek Medical Help

In case you suspect a blood clot, you should call your doctor right away. You should seek immediate medical attention if any blood clots form in your veins (venous clots) or arteries (arterial clots) as it can be very dangerous.  

Also Read: Natural Blood Thinners: Benefits, Risks, and Precautions

Conclusion

Generally, a blood clot forms in response to an injury on a blood vessel. The formation of an unwanted blood clot needs to be attended immediately as it may be a serious condition. Symptoms of a blood clot depends on the place where the clot is formed while in some people the clot may not exhibit any symptoms. Natural remedies for blood clots can help you get relief from the condition and knowledge of the risks behind the condition will help you make the right decisions. You can also help yourself by keeping active and following your doctor’s suggestions and making necessary lifestyle changes.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Fogelson AL, Neeves KB. Fluid mechanics of blood clot formation. Annu Rev Fluid Mech. 2015;47:377-403. doi:10.1146/annurev-fluid-010814-014513. PMID: 26236058; PMCID: PMC4519838. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4519838/
2. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Your Guide to Preventing and Treating Blood Clots [Internet] Available from: Your Guide to Preventing and Treating Blood Clots | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (ahrq.gov) 
3. Ali M, Thomson M. Consumption of a garlic clove a day could be beneficial in preventing thrombosis. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 1995 Sep;53(3):211-2. doi:10.1016/0952-3278(95)90118-3. PMID: 7480084. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7480084/
4. Mirihagalla MK, Fernando KM. Medicinal plants use for home remedies in Sri Lanka: A Review. International Journal of Minor Fruits, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. December 2021 Vol. 7 (2) : 29- 39. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Menaka-Fernando-3/publication/357118441_Medicinal_plants_use_for_home_remedies_in_Sri_Lanka_A_Review/links/61bc6e734b318a6970e989be/Medicinal-plants-use-for-home-remedies-in-Sri-Lanka-A-Review.pdf 
5. Khan IN, Habib MR, Rahman MM, Mannan A, Sarker MM, Hawlader S. Thrombolytic potential of Ocimum sanctum L., Curcuma longa L., Azadirachta indica L. and Anacardium occidentale L. Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacy. 2011 Jun;2(3):125. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3979218/ 
6. Chaudhary S, Godatwar PK, Sharma R. In vitro thrombolytic activity of Dhamasa (Fagonia arabica Linn.), Kushta (Saussurea lappa Decne.), and Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia Thunb.). Ayu. 2015 Oct-Dec;36(4):421-4. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.190697. PMID: 27833372; PMCID: PMC5041392. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5041392/

Disclaimer:  The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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