Anaemia
The name anaemia is given to a range of illnesses that involve a lack of the oxygen-carrying substance haemoglobin in the blood. Anaemia can be caused by loss of blood, an inability to produce enough red blood cells, or an inherited abnormality.
Symptoms include Dizziness, Tiredness, Headaches, Insomnia, shortness of breath, paleness, disturbances of vision, swollen ankles, loss of appetite, Palpitations and, in older people, chest pains. The four main types of anaemia are iron deficiency, pernicious, megaloblastic and sickle cell.
Iron deficiency anaemia, the commonest form, results from a shortage of iron, an essential constituent of haemoglobin. This shortage takes place through poor diet, blood loss, illness or infection. Women of childbearing age tend to have low stores of iron as a result of their menstrual blood losses. Therefore they tend to become anaemic more quickly if iron losses exceed iron intake. Pregnant women are particularly at risk because, although they no longer have menstrual losses, the growing baby exerts an even greater drain on their iron stores.
Pernicious anaemia develops when a lack of a stomach enzyme called ‘the intrinsic factor’ prevents the body from absorbing enough vitamin B to make an adequate supply of blood. It is usually treated with regular injections of Vitamin BI2
Megaloblastic anaemia is caused by a deficiency of B or another vitamin, folic acid (one of the many B vitamins), which is found in liver and fresh vegetables. Either of these deficiencies interferes with the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Pregnant women and elderly people are most affected.
Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited blood disorder which is found among some people of African and Middle Eastern descent. Symptoms appear in childhood and include yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes (Jaundice, Fever), and a feeling of weakness or fatigue after physical exertion.
Always consult a doctor if you suspect anaemia, as medical diagnosis is necessary before beginning any type of treatment.
What the therapists recommend
NATUROPATHY
Self help: Plenty of iron-rich foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, walnuts, raisins, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, strawberries, parsley, nettles, apricots and pumpkin seeds are prescribed, and meats such as liver and kidneys.
For pernicious anaemia caused by inadequate diet, a naturopath will suggest that you eat foods which are rich in vitamin B such as dairy products, eggs, liver and kidneys.
All forms of anaemia may benefit from raw juices such as spinach, carrot, nettle and horseradish. Molasses is held to be good for building strong red blood cells, and high potencies of pollen may also help.
Consultation: The cause will be investigated before treatment. You will be referred to a doctor or, if the naturopath is a doctor, given orthodox treatment if the symptoms are severe, if another illness is causing the anaemia, or if you are losing blood regularly or in large quantities
The naturopath should then give detailed individual advice about STRESS, diet and life-style. Dietary supplements may be prescribed — for example, iron gluconate (a naturally occurring form of iron) taken together with 500mg to I g of vitamin C at each meal, plus zinc, since extra iron can interfere with zinc absorption
HOMOEOPATHY
Self help: Therapists may prescribe China to strengthen red blood cells and give energy, particularly after a severe illness with loss of fluids. Ferrum nietallicum can help replace iron in the blood. Pernicious anaemia is said to respond to Arsenicum; and pale, sensitive people who overexert themselves and become weak and breathless may be helped by Phosphorus, which is said also to be good for children who outgrow their strength
AROMATHERAPY
Self help: The essential oils of Roman camomile and lemon are recommended. Add ten drops of each to about 3 tablespoons (50 ml) of vegetable oil or bland white lotion (see p. 36), and apply daily to the whole body after a bath or shower. A tea made with two drops of lemon and one of Roman camomile oil may also help.
HERBAL MEDICINE
Self help: Popular remedies include infusions of angelica, wild chicory leaves, horsetail, nettle, rosemary flowers or leaves, strawberry and thyme, and decoctions of wild chicory root, dock root, plantain and walnut Take about three cups a day. Carrot as a juice or vegetable is also said to significantly increase red blood cell production in the body.
You may find herbal remedies in the form of tonic wines more palatable. They can be made easily at home, but always use a good quality wine and sterilise all containers, which must be non-metallic, with boiling water before you start. Two tonics recommended for anaemia are:
Dock wine: Soak together for 24-48 hours in 2 litres of red wine in a covered container: 180 g yellow dock root, 8 g liquorice root, 4 g juniper berries, 120 g brown sugar. Then boil the mixture gently in a double boiler until reduced by a third, strain and bottle. Drink half a wine-glassful every morning before eating.
Consultation: The underlying cause of the anaemia must always be properly diagnosed by a doctor beforehand. Pernicious anaemia may be treated with vitamin B and dock root — especially yellow dock— is used for iron deficiency. Herbs containing iron, vitamins B and C — such as parsley, nettle and turnip tops — may be given, while the bitter herb gentian is said by some to tone the digestive system and increase the absorption of nutrients such as iron.
An orthodox view
Doctors agree that taking supplements such as iron, vitamin B or folic acid and eating foods rich in these nutrients will help many people with anaemia, provided that treatment is based on an accurate diagnosis.
Deficiencies are made up with iron or vitamin tablets or injections, and, if another disorder is causing the anaemia, this will also be treated.
Sickle cell anaemia cannot be cured, but blood transfusions can keep it under control.