16 Home Remedies for Deep Vein Thrombosis

This is a medical condition which happens when the blood clot forms in a vein. The deep vein blood clot can happen anywhere in the body but most often forms in the thigh or calf. This condition can cause leg pain or swelling but also there are people who have deep vein thrombosis but they do not have symptoms. It is very important to treat the deep vein thrombosis because it can increase the risk of life – threatening complications, such as pulmonary embolism. This is a condition when the blood vessel in the lung becomes blocked by a blood clot which travels to the lungs from another part of the body and this is usually the leg. The most common symptoms of deep vein thrombosis are frequent cramps; swelling in the foot, ankle or leg; the affected area may feel warmer; tired legs; prominent veins; reddish or bluish colored skin; extreme pain in the leg. You should not ignore the symptoms of this condition because they can worsen with time. Anything which prevents the blood from circulating properly can lead to blood clots. There are different causes of blood clots which are causing deep vein thrombosis, such as family history of this condition; stomach issues; cholesterol; pregnancy; injury to a vein; limited movement; side effects of medications. Also when you are not moving for a long time, for example, after surgery or an accident, then you have increased risk of getting it. Generally, this condition is seen in people above 40 but if you have family history of deep vein thrombosis, then you should be careful and you should do regular checkups. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from deep vein thrombosis before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies. Here are some home remedies for deep vein thrombosis:

Cinnamon help deep vein thrombosis

This natural cure has a compound called coumarin which is natural anticoagulant. It can help to lower the blood pressure and also it is acting as blood thinner preventing blood clots and promoting blood circulation. The blood thinning properties of the cinnamon can help people who suffer from deep vein thrombosis to manage the blood clotting by acting as anti – clotting agent. Health experts are recommending drinking cinnamon water. You should not regard this as a sole measure for alternative healing in blood clotting. [1]

Garlic cloves

It is known that this natural cure can promote the blood circulation and also it can help you to rid of all effects of deep vein thrombosis. There are some studies in which are said that one clove a day can help to reduce the signs of deep vein thrombosis [2]. Garlic is anti – thrombotic which can help to prevent the blood clots in patients who have a risk of clots. You should eat raw garlic as your first thing in the morning because this can be very effective home remedy for you.

Celery

We know that we burn more calories while digestive the celery than we consume. This is a healthy plant which can help to keep the levels of stress hormone – cortisol in check and it can prevent thinning of the blood vessels. It has been shown that a lack of cortisol can increase the chances for heart disease, cholesterol and weight gain and it can worsen the memory. This is a reason why you should use celery as your natural treatment for deep vein thrombosis.

Adequate hydration

Water is very important for the health of our bodies. This is a natural way to maintain the fluid levels in the body while at same time it will prevent the blood from thickening too much [3]. Dehydration is happening when the body has less water than it needs. You should drink at least 6 – 8 ounces glasses of water on daily basis.

Quit smoking

It is known that smoking cigarettes or using electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products will increase your risk for deep vein thrombosis. These factors are more increased when they are in combination with other risk factors, such as being overweight. You should quit smoking as soon as possible. If you cannot do on your own, then you should talk with your doctor to find the best way for quitting smoking. [4]

Vitamin C rich foods

This vitamin can help you to maintain a proper vascular state which means that the blood vessels in your body will work well. You should eat a lot of fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C. Some of the best sources of Vitamin C are cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, papayas, cantaloupe, oranges, kiwi, pineapple and strawberries.  [5]

Cayenne pepper good for deep vein thrombosis

It is known that this home remedy is a blood thinner and this is a reason why it can help in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis. It has capsaicin which can smooth the blood circulation and it can help to prevent the blood clots [6]. Also this home remedy can help to normalize the blood pressure and it reduces cholesterol levels which may be cause for blood clots. You should not start using this home remedy without talking with your doctor.

Vitamin E rich foods

You should consume foods that are rich in Vitamin E, such as kiwi, bell peppers, olive oil, sunflower seeds, spinach and walnuts because they can help the blood to flow smoothly. Vitamin K is taken for the formation of clots while the Vitamin E acts as anti – coagulant for the veins. You should include cereals, eggs, liver, fish, mustard greens, spinach and green leafy vegetables in your diet.

Rosemary

Rosemary has a flavonoid known as diosmin which aids blood flow by minimizing the capillary fragility. It is high in Vitamin B6 which can help the protein in your red blood cells – hemoglobin to carry oxygen throughout the body.

Ginger

This is excellent healing spice. Also it plays an important role in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis. This is a very effective home remedy to break down the fibrins which are cause for deep vein thrombosis and also it can help in the smooth movement of blood [7]. There are some doctors who are recommending drinking ginger tea at least 2 – 3 times per day. This can help to prevent high cholesterol which causes plaque buildup and further it will inhibit the blood circulation.

Elevation

If you have pain caused by deep vein thrombosis, then you should elevate the affected leg. This can help to reduce the uncomfortable symptoms, such as pain and swelling in the affected leg. If you are going to sit for prolonged period, then you should try to elevate your leg wherever and whenever possible to get a relief from the pressure in your veins.

Omega – 3 fatty acids

It is mainly found in fish. It can help to keep cholesterol down and it can prevent your blood from clotting. You should eat fish 2 or 3 times per week. You should eat herring, lak trout, mackerel, tuna, salmon and anchovies in your diet. This will help you to get many health benefits of Omega – 3 fatty acids. [8]

Regular exercise

The most common cause for the bad circulation is the lack of exercise so the best way to prevent it is to do a lot of exercise. You should know that if your pulse remains vigorous and steady throughout the day, then your blood circulation will be consistent. This is a reason to stay active. Some good exercises and activities for the deep vein thrombosis are yoga, swimming, aerobics and walking. [9]

Pineapple treat deep vein thrombosis

This home remedy has an enzyme known as bromelain. It can be found in all parts of the pineapple but it is highest in the stem. This enzyme is helpful because it is acting as a blood thinner and it is reducing the excessive blood platelet adhesiveness. This will permit a more easy flow of blood throughout your circulatory system. When you have thinner blood, then it is associated with lower chances of clotting and other circulatory problems. This enzyme is working by breaking down fibrin which is a protein substance in the blood that is causing blood clotting. You should add pineapple to your diet. You can make a beverage from it or you can make a salad from tropical fruits.

Broccoli

This home remedy is rich in fiber. It is highly recommended for people who suffer from cardiovascular problems because it can provide many health benefits. The raw broccoli offers more nutrition so you should eat it in raw form or you can add in your salads.

Spinach

This natural cure is rich in fiber which can help to keep the blood pressure down. It is rich in nutrients, such as folate, potassium and magnesium. When you are controlling your blood pressure, then this will maintain healthy blood circulation [10]. You should remember that the spinach is rich in Vitamin K which can thicken the blood so you need to eat spinach in moderate amounts and balance your meals with a lot of Vitamin E rich foods.

References:

[1] Hossein N, Zahra Z, Abolfazl M, et al. Effect of cinnamon zeylanicum essence and distillate on the clotting time. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 2013;7(19):1339-43.

[2] Ali M, Thomson M. Consumption of a garlic clove a day could be beneficial in preventing thrombosis. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes & Essential Fatty Acids. 1995;53(3):211-2.

[3] Watso JC, Farquhar WB. Hydration status and cardiovascular function. Nutrients. 2019; 11(8):1866.

[4] Enga KF, Braekkan SK, Hansen-Krone IJ, et al. Cigarette smoking and the risk of venous thromboembolism: The Tromsø Study. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2012;10(10):2068-74.

[5] Vuckovic BA, van Rein N, Cannegieter SC, et al. Vitamin supplementation on the risk of venous thrombosis: results from the MEGA case-control study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2015;101(3):606-12.

[6] Guntupalli V. A scientific review on clot dissolving activity of cayenne pepper. International Journal of Current Advanced Research. 2018;7(3):10572-4.

[7] Daya S. Reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Victoria Health. Retrieved from www.victoriahealth.com/editorial/reducing-the-risk-of-deep-vein-thrombosis-1

[8] Reiner MF, Stivala S, Limacher A, et al. Omega‐3 fatty acids predict recurrent venous thromboembolism or total mortality in elderly patients with acute venous thromboembolism. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2017;15(1):47-56.

[9] Kahn SR, Shrier I, Kearon C. Physical activity in patients with deep venous thrombosis: A systematic review. Thrombosis Research. 2008;122(6):763-73.

[10] Jovanovski E, Bosco L, Khan K, et al. Effect of spinach, a high dietary nitrate source, on arterial stiffness and related hemodynamic measures: A randomized, controlled trial in healthy adults. Clinical Nutrition Research. 2015;4(3):160-7.