Anaemia

Actually, "anaemia" means "without blood", but it is generally used to describe people who do not have enough healthy red blood cells in their blood stream. There are many types of anaemia, but in India, mostly in women, the cause of anaemia is commonly iron deficiency and almost 20% of Indian women suffer from it.

Causes

Bleeding such as heavy periods in women is the main cause. The condition may also be due to the excessive destruction of red blood cells so that the bone marrow cannot produce enough to replace those that are lost. Another cause could be insufficient production of RBCs due to a number of factors.

Iron deficiency anaemia is caused by a shortage of iron, a vital component for RBC production. Vitamin deficiency anaemia and pernicious anaemia are both forms of anaemia in which there is inadequate supply of vitamin B12 and folic acid.

Signs & Symptoms

Anaemics feel particularly tired because the body is not getting enough oxygen for its routine needs. The skin tends to lose its healthy bloom, and the face becomes pale. If the condition becomes severe, the person will also be short of breath and the ankles may swell.

Herbal Medicines

Adjusting diet is the correct remedy. Eat a nutritious and well balanced diet. Meat, especially kidney and liver and all dairy products are rich in Iron and Vitamin B12 Folic acid is found in green vegetables.

Ayurvedic Remedies

1. Punarnava Mandoora, ready made Ayurvedic pills are to be given orally, 1 pill twice a day with a glass of milk. It improves blood condition by increasing haemoglobin levels and thereby RBC count. It is effective even in conditions of oedema due to anaemia.
2. Lohasavam is an oral liquid containing iron and other essential factors required for proper production of RBC. 15ml of the tonic should be mixed with 15ml of lukewarm water and consumed twice a day after meals.
3. Raktda tablet (Maharishi Ayurved) one tablet once or twice daily for 6 weeks is very useful in anaemia.
4. Navayas Loh 120mg taken twice daily is a very good Ayurvedic preparation.
5. Triphala powder ½ to 1 teaspoonful twice a day is also very good.

Do's & Don'ts

Diet

Sour things, like curd and fried items should be avoided as far as possible. Green vegetables are rich in iron and folic acid and as such these should be taken in plenty. Til seeds and jaggery should be taken regularly as these are rich in iron.

If constipation occurs, Triphalachurna in a dose of 5 grams should be taken with lukewarm water at bed time.

All these measures, if taken properly, can successfully treat mild to moderate anaemia at home itself.