Cerebral Hemorrhage
Answered by: Christine Dennis
Question from: Nancy
Posted on: October 15, 2008

I just got home from 6 days in ICU for a subarachnoid hemorrhage. It sounds like I am one of the very lucky ones who survive this; however I take many supplements, and am concerned that some may be blood thinner. My doctors admitted that herbs were not their expertise, but they did tell me to avoid ginkgo biloba and vitamin E. I looked on the internet, and it appears that grape seed extract (which I also took) is a blood thinner as well. I have osteo arthritis in my hip, and just started taking Boswellia, 5-Loxin and turmeric a few weeks ago. About that time I also started taking astagalus, pantothenic acid, ashwagandha and Siberian gensing for stress.

I am having difficulty finding out which (if any) of these supplements may cause blood thinning.

Research on tumeric has shown that it has anti-platelet activity. I am not aware of the others being blood thinners. Astragalus is actually used to stop passive bleeding.

I also take calcium, glucosamine/chrondroitin, CoQ10, vitamin B complex, Flax seed oil, multi-vitamin and bilberry.

I am not aware of of any of these being blood thinners either. However, you might want to see how much vitamin E is in your multi- vitamin. Flax seed oil is used to reduce the stickiness of the blood.

I don’t want to give up all my supplements, but I’m scared right now. Hope you can advise me. Thanks.

Perhaps your best bet is to focus on strengthening your blood vessels thus reducing the fragility of the vessels leading to thin blood as being a problem. Foods that are high in bioflavonoids such as bright coloured fruits and vegetables and buckwheat are indicated. The bilberry you are taking helps in this way as well. Herbs such as nettles and calendula can be of benefit here too.

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