Anaemia or anemia is also known as ‘Pandu’ in Ayurveda, it is a very common disease in which the RBC and Hemoglobin counts fall below their normal level. Approximately about 5 million RBCs are present per cubic mm of blood.
What are the Symptoms?
There are many symptoms that can clearly indicate anemia:
- Dizziness, weakness and exhaustion
- Eyes loses its shine and premature wrinkles appear
- Memory loss or fading memory
- Occasional headache
- Wounds take time to heal
- Skin looks pale
What are the main causes of anemia?
Anything that disrupts the normal life of the RBCs can lead to anemia, it may also include an ailment that is hampering red blood cell production or increase in the destruction of red blood cells or even excessive blood loss can lead to anemia. Women with chronic diseases are at high risk of anemia. Some of the conditions that may cause anemia in them are heavy blood loss during mensuration, ulcers, pregnancy, intestinal problems, bleeding problems, cancer or any chronic disease. It can also be caused by a deficiency of iron, folic acid or vitamin B12.
You can easily treat anemia by following simple home remedies.
Home Remedies for treating anemia
- Beetroot
Beetroot contains high amount of iron and is quite beneficial for people suffering from anemia due to iron deficiency. Its high iron content along with fiber, potassium, calcium, vitamins and sulfur makes it perfect choice for the patient. Other than offering nutrition it also helps in cleansing the body and in supplying more oxygen throughout the body. This helps in increasing the red blood cell count in the body.
Take a medium size beet-root, 3 carrots and put half a sweet potato in the juicer. Mesh the ingredient to make juice and drink it once a day. Other than this you can also eat Beetroots as vegetable by cooking it or in salad.
- Spinach
A diet can be considered as complete only when it contains green leafy vegetables. Spinach has a surplus amount of iron, folic acid, Vitamin B12, nutrients to boost energy. It also helps the body in recovering from anemia. About 1 ½ cup of spinach is enough for over 35% of your daily iron intake and about 33% of your daily folic acid intake.
You can have spinach soup daily. To prepare the soup take about 1 cup of washed-out spinach and add a little water. Heat a little olive oil in a pan and sauté it with some chopped garlic, onion and cloves until it turns brown. Add it to the spinach and cook on low heat for about 5 to 10 minutes.
You can also mix 2 teaspoon of honey in a glass of fresh spinach juice and drink it every day for greater benefits.
- Pomegranate
It is rich in iron and other minerals. It also contains vitamin C and helps in absorption of iron in the body. It also helps in creating RBCs and enhances the hemoglobin level.
You can take a cup of pomegranate juice and mix it with a teaspoonful or cinnamon powder and 2 teaspoons of honey. Drinking this juice with breakfast everyday gives immense benefit. Other than this you can also take about 2 teaspoons of dried seeds powder and take it with a glass of warm milk twice a day. You can also eat a pomegranate daily in the morning.
- Dates
Dates are rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants, it is also an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin B complex and iron. The rich iron content makes it effective remedy against anemia. Dates can be eaten raw or can be mixed with other ingredients to make sweets like Barfi, laddoos or even cakes. It can also be used to make chutney with jaggery and tamarind.
- Blackstrap Molasses
This is one of the oldest remedy for fighting anemia. It not only contains high level of iron, but it also comes with folate which is the natural source of folic acid. It also contains Vitamin B, all these nutrients in the molasses helps in increasing count of red blood cells. Its low glycemic content also allows the people with diabetes to consume it without any worries. You can either use it with your daily food or you can make your own home remedy.
Take about 2 teaspoonfuls of blackstrap molasses and apple cider vinegar and mix them with about a cup of water. You can have this solution daily for better results.
- Tomatoes
Just eating food with high iron content is sometimes not sufficient, your body should also be in a position to absorb it. Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C and lycopene. Vitamin C present in the tomato helps your body in effective absorption of iron.
You can eat 1 to 2 raw tomatoes daily or you can also include them in your daily diet like in salads or sandwiches. Other than this you can also consume tomato juice or add tomato with cooking your dishes.
- Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are quite useful in treating anemia as they are rich in iron content. About 1/4th of the cup of sesame seeds provide about 30 percent of your daily iron requirements.
Take about two tablespoons of sesame seeds and soak them in water for two or three hours. Strain the water and make a paste of these soaked seeds. Once they are ground, add a tablespoonful of honey and mix evenly. You can consume this paste twice daily for better results.
You can also soak a tablespoon of sesame seed in warm water for two hours. Then grind the seeds for some time to make a paste. Now, strain the paste through a clean cloth to get the emulsion out of it. You can mix this emulsion with a cup of milk, add some honey and drink it daily.
- Banana
With the high iron content banana stimulate the production of hemoglobin and also several other enzymes and are quite vital for the formation of RBCs. It is also a good source of magnesium that also aids in the synthesis of hemoglobin.
You can eat one ripe banana along with a tablespoonful of honey twice a day for its excellent benefits. Other than honey, you can also mix it with a tablespoon of Amla or Indian gooseberry. Consume this twice a day for benefits.
- Apple
Apple is rich in nutrients including iron and hence is quite effective against anemia. Consume at least one apple a day. If you can get your hands on green apple, then it is wise to eat with their skin intact. You can also mix part of fresh apple juice and beetroot juice with little honey. Consume this solution twice a day.
- Dried Black Currant
The high concentration of vitamin C and iron make dried black currant is quite effective for anemia. Vitamin C enhances ability to absorb iron and hence helps in increasing hemoglobin and RBCs.
Soak about 10 to 12 dried black current in water for a night. Next morning, remove them from water and peel off the skin from the seed. Eat them daily before breakfast for a few weeks for effect benefit.