Homeopathic Remedies for Anaemia

Anaemia or Pandu Roga

Anaemia is the lack of red blood corpuscles and haemoglobin in the blood.

Anaemia usually means `shortage/without blood`. This is defined as a qualitative or quantitative deficiency of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is a molecule inside red blood cells or RBCs. As hemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. Anemia leads to hypoxia i.e. lack of oxygen in organs. Since all human cells depend on oxygen for survival, varying degrees of anemia can have a wide range of clinical consequences. 

The three main classes of anemia include excessive blood loss, excessive blood cell destruction or deficient red blood cell production or ineffective hematopoiesis. Anemia is the most common disorder of the blood. There are several kinds of anemia, produced by a variety of underlying causes. Anemia can be classified in a variety of ways, based on the morphology of RBCs, underlying etiologic mechanisms, and discernible clinical spectra, to mention a few. 

Causes

Causes : Iron deficiency is the most common form of anaemia , iron is required to cary the oxygen on the haeglobin and if there is insufficient in the blood , the cells appear pale and empty . The cause is usually poor nutrition or the body's inability to absorb iron from the intestine because of damage or infection .

Blood Loss : commonly through heavy periods , this will deplete the body's store of iron and produce an iron deficiency anaemia . This also occurs during or after pregnancy when a greater amount of iron is required . Any major loss of blood following an accident or operation will require carefull follow up to ensure , there is an adequate supply of iron in the blood stream , persistent bleeding , such as that associated with haemorrhoids is another cause of blood loss requiring exra iron .

Pernicious Anaemia : this is the result of poor folic acid ( vitamin B 12 ) is not absorbed well following gastric surgery or because of the deficiency in the lining of the intestine . This leads to anaemia but can also lead to nervous complications and paralysis .

Megaloblastic Amaemia : this is the result of poor folic acid ( vitamin ) intake , again either through poor diet or malabsorption because of an intestinal problem .

Sickle Cell Anaemia : very common among west Indian and mediterianean communities , this is the main hereditary form of anaemia that occurs because of a malfunctioning gene producing abnormal haemoglobin , most individuals have partial malformation only (sickle cell trait ) and do not suffer at all , others who have inherited the defective gene from both father and mother have the blown disease which can be fatal . Anemia can become a reason for many problems , if not treated , the major cause of anemia is lack of proper assimilation of nutrients , like iron , B-complex factors folic acid . Fe-min improves the absorption process by directly enhancing the nutrient binding capacity of the cells , there by relieving the problems of anemia . In India , more than 50 % of women suffer from some degree of anemia.

Iron Deficiency is by far the most common cause of anaemia worldwide. The possible factors are iron deficient diet, impaired absorption (mainly seen in peptic ulcer, mal-absorption syndrome), increased requirement (eg pregnancy) and loss of blood. Excessive menstruation (average loss 30 mg of iron in each month) and occult bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract (eg peptic ulcer, neoplasm, hookworm infestation, hemorrhoid, etc) are the causes of loss of blood⁵.

Keep in mind that some symptoms of increased erythropoiesis is very similar to iron deficiency anaemia but the cause is totally opposite. Careful study of drug picture of Fer-met shows that there are signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia, but these may be due to alternating action of drug. It should be the drug for polycythaemia and anaemia with iron overload only in high potency but we often use it in iron deficiency anaemia when symptomatology corresponds.

Megaloblastic Anaemia is caused either due to deficiency or impaired absorption of vitamin B12 and folic acid. Impaired absorption due to intrinsic factor secretion ceases owing to atrophy of the gastric mucosa, is termed as pernicious anaemia. Here features of vitamin B12 deficiencies are prominent along with features of anaemia. Current studies show that pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune disorder. The neurological manifestations are most worrisome and many times irreversible. It is due to degeneration of spinal cord featuring numbness and paresthesia in the extremities than weakness, ataxia, and poor finger coordination13, simulating the drug picture of Phosphorous¹⁴. In Boericke's Repertory Arsenic and Phosphorous both are in Italics15. However both are useful also in aplastic anaemia, which is discussed below.

Aplastic Anaemia happens due to severe hypoplasia (Miasmatically syphilitic in nature) of the erythroid, myeloid, thromopoietic cell lines in bone marrow leading to ecchymosis, petechiae or hameorrhage due to thrombocytopenia along with classical features of anaemia. Patient becomes susceptible to infection due to leucopenia. Chemicals, which can cause aplastic anaemia in toxic doses or prolonged use, are the drugs in potentised form^. A number of cases of aplastic anaemia have been reported following infectious hepatitis¹⁹.

In Haemolytic Anaemia (also syphilitic in nature), red blood cells undergo premature destructions by intravascular or extravascular haemolysis. Haemolysis is seen in a variety of diseases likely thalassaemia, spur cell amenia, hereditary spherocytosis, certain infections (eg clostridium welchi) sickle cell anaemia, auto-immune haemolytic anaemia etc. Substances, which have hemolytic property in crude form, can be used in potentised form if symptomatology corresponds (eg Crot-h, Phos etc)

Anaemia may be caused by loss of blood through excessive menstruation, injury, childbirth, bleeding from the gastro-intestinal tract. Certain diseases like purpura and haemophilia, which are characterized by bleeding, can also be the cause. Defective blood formation because of infections, toxins, and drugs and also inadequate intake of iron and defective absorption of substances in the diet, which enrich the blood, are the causes. Some anaemias are due to a combination of more than one of the causes enumerated above. 

The most striking symptom of anaemia is the pallor of the skin, hence the Ayurvedic name of the disease is Pandu Roga. The best guide, however, is the colour of the internal lining of the eyelid. There is weakness and giddiness, the breathing is shallow, the pulse rapid, and the blood pressure is often becomes low. In severe cases, the tongue is often sore and the nails of the fingers brittle and concave instead of being convex. If the disease is ignored, it may turn into pernicious anaemia, which is more difficult to cure. In some severe cases, the patient may have to be given a blood transfusion to make up the loss of blood. Usually blood transfusion happens in traumas like severe haemorrhage due to injury or bursting of an ulcer in the abdominal region. 

Symptoms:Symptoms of Anaemia

The symptoms of iron deficiency anemia (if any) are:

Paleness
Weakness
Tiredness
Chest pains (in severe cases)
Shortness of breath (in severe cases)
Heart palpitations (in severe cases)
An increased heart rate especially during exertion (in severe cases)
Rapid breathing
Low blood pressure

The symptoms of vitamin B12 anemia can also cause:

Jaundice
Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
Equilibrium difficulties
Confusion
Personality changes and depression

General Symptoms : dizziness , fainting , tiredness , pale features , sore tongue and cracked lips , shortness of breath , swelling of the ankles and palpitations , loss of appetite , indigestion dry mouth , dry brittle nails ( iron deficiency ) . Tingling in fingers and toes , uncontrolled gait ( B 12 deficiency ) , slight yellow coloration of eyes , jaundice ( sick-cell) dullness of hair

Homeopathy Treatment & Homeopathic Remedies for Anaemia

Ferrum metallicum [Ferr]
Iron is the great allopathic remedy for anaemia from almost any cause. It is also a great homoeopathic remedy, but it will not cure every case of anaemia; careful individualization is necessary. When the patient has an appearance of full bloodedness or plethora, which is followed by paleness or earthiness of the face and puffiness of the extremities, then Ferrum will benefit. It is not the remedy for the anaemia resulting from loss of fluids; that is Cinchona, or perhaps Natrum muriaticum. When Ferrum is indicated the mucous membranes are pale, more so than with Cinchona, and there is apt to be an anaemia murmur in the veins of the neck. The patient is easily exhausted. Vomiting of food after eating may occur. The patient is constantly chilly and perhaps has an afternoon or evening fever simulating hectic fever. In very stubborn cases sometimes Ferrum phosphoricum may serve better than Ferrum metallicum. Schuessler recommends first Calcarea phosphorica, then Ferrum phosphoricum. In simple, uncomplicated chlorosis Ferrum is one of our best remedies. Hughes recommends Ferrum redactum 1x or 2X. Ludlam praises Ferrum et strychnia citrate 3X, Dr.Jousset, Ferrum aceticum or the Ferrum protoxalate, and Dr.Holcombe. of New Orleans, used Ferrum phosphoricum. All these preparations of Iron may benefit cases of anaemia and chlorosis; if so, it is by virtue of their similarity to the symptoms of the case, and not because one or the other preparation of Iron is a tonic in the allopathic sense. By giving the indicated preparation of Iron it removes the underlying dyscrasia giving rise to the anaemic or chlorotic conditions and cures the trouble.

Pulsatilla [Puls]
Pulsatilla is the great antidote to Iron, and hence is indicated in the anaemic condition produced by large or continued doses of it. The system is relaxed and worn out; the patient is chilly and suffers from gastric and menstrual derangements. Thus the symptoms resemble closely those calling for Ferrum. The cause of the anaemia must be sought for, and if the case comes from allopathic hands it is safe to infer that much Iron has been given and Pulsatilla will surely be the remedy. The Pulsatilla patient feels better in the open air. Dizziness on rising, absence of thirst, and the peculiar disposition will lead to the remedy. Cyclamen, which is similar in many respects, differ from Pulsatilla in dreading the fresh air. Cinchona is the chief remedy for anaemia resulting from loss of fluids,as in lactation or haemorrhage, or from all exhausting discharges, such as menstrual flow, long-lasting diarrhea, and sexual excesses and loss of semen. The quality of the blood is actually poorer in cases calling for Cinchona. Special symptoms are heaviness of the head, loss of sight,fainting and ringing in the ears, pale sallow complexion, sour belching, poor digestion and bloated abdomen. The patient is sensitive to draughts of air yet wants to be fanned. Dr. George Royal thinks many physicians err in giving Cinchona too low in symptomatic anaemia when much time has elapsed since the drain was made on the system. He finds the 30th. productive of better results than the lower preparations. NATrum muriaticum is also a remedy for anaemic and debilitated conditions due to loss of fluids, especially in women who suffer from menstrual disorders and in chronic cases with a dead, dirty-looking skin. Chininum arsenicosum is sometimes prescribed for anaemia, not, however, on the totality ;of the symptoms, but because it is said to be "good for it." It has been found curative in certain cases ;of pernicious anaemia. Acetic acid suits anaemic nursing women, with waxy skin, and thirst.

Calcarea carbonica [Calc]
Almost any of the deeper acting constitutional remedies may be of use in anaemic and debilitated conditions, and especially are the Calcareas useful. Thus we have Calcarea phosphorica as the remedy for the "green sickness," chlorosis of young girls, with a complexion like wax, alabaster lips and ears, a bright eye, and when they smile or laugh it is a sickly one. The face sometimes has a true greenish hue or a sallow one. In such cases the menses are apt to be too early and then calcarea phosphorica is well indicated for this condition. Calcarea carbonica is indicated by the psoric, scrofulous or tubercular diathesis and the general symptoms of the drug, by disgust for meat, craving for sour and indigestible things, swelling of abdomen, vertigo and palpitation ;on going upstairs. The patient is in a state of worry. Constantly imagining calamities. Alumina is also a remedy for chlorosis due to the scrofulous diathesis and from improper nourishment, such as occurs in some children brought up on artificial foods. Nux vomica, too, may be indicated in anaemic conditions when due to gastro-intestinal derangements. Plumbum has been recommended for inveterate chlorosis with obstinate constipation. Alumina also, being an antipsoric, is the remedy for anaemic conditions about puberty, with abnormal craving for indigestible substances, such as slate pencils, chalk, etc.

Arsenicum [Ars]
This being a direct poison to the red blood corpuscles takes first rank in cases of pernicious anaemia or in anaemias due to a malarial of ;toxic influence. Dr.Blackley, of England, reported four cases of pernicious anaemia cured with small doses of the remedy. It does not correspond to simple anaemias so well. It indications are excessive prostration considerable oedema, violent and irregular palpitation,marked appetite for acids and brandy, extreme anxiety and rapid emaciation . There is irritable stomach and intense thirst. When the allopathic school uses Arsenic as a blood tonic, and Dr.Bartholow says, "it is one of the most valuable remedies in the treatment of chlorosis and anaemia," it does so on strictly Homoeopathic principles. Picric acid. The extreme prostration of pernicious anaemia, with a heavy tired feeling all over the body, burning pains along the spine and aggravation from excitement indicate this remedy.

Helonias [Helon]

An excellent remedy in anaemia and chlorosis. It suits especially anaemia from prolonged haemorrhage in women enervated by indolence and luxury, or such as are worn out with hard work; they are too tired to sleep and the strained muscles burn and ache A characteristic modality is that the patient is better when the attention is engaged, hence better when the doctor comes. This anaemia is associated with disturbances in the urinary and sexual organs. Tired,anaemic, backachey females need Helonias, "It is one of the best blood makers that we have." (E. G. Jones.)

Aletris [Alet]

Chlorosis. "The China of the uterine organs." (Hale.) Tired dull, heavy,confused. Debility of females from protracted illness; no organic disease. Power and energy of mind and body are weakened.

Secale [Sec]

This remedy produces a progressives general anaemia. It is shown by the peculiar cachexia of anaemia, pale, bloodless, jaundiced color. By its effect on the blood corpuscles it produces a general anaemia, threatening not only the life of a part, but vitiating the whole life of the bodily economy. It is a sort of a mechanical anaemia.

Natrum muriaticum [Nat-m]

This is one of our best remedies in anaemic conditions. There is paleness, and, in spite of the fact that the patient eats well, there is emaciation. There are attacks of throbbing headache and dyspnoea, especially on going up stairs, constipation ands depression of spirits, and consolation aggravates. With these symptoms there is much palpitation, fluttering and intermittent action of the heart. The hypochondriasis in these cases is marked. Scanty menstruation is frequently an indicating symptom. Kali carbonicum is one of the most important remedies in anaemia, weak heart, sweats backache, especially with female complaints.

SOME KEYNOTE SYMPTOMS:-

Weakness and lassitude , visual disturbance ----- Cyclamen

If all the symptoms are better when lying down ----- Manganum aceticum

Exhaustion following loss of blood , symptoms are generally aggravated by heat , for chronic cases due to emotional or psychological disorders - Natrum muriaticum

Weakness , tiredness , breathlessness --- Phosphorous

In all kinds of anaemia , 5 grains or 5 tablets thrice daily dry or with milk - Calc.phos

Specially suited to women ---- Ferrum mur.

For bilious patients --- Natrum sulph

When there is extreme prostration and restlessness --- ferrum met , picric acid , also indicated .

Prevention and self help :

 It is important to consult a doctor for proper investigation and diagnosis . a proper whole food diet will ensure plenty of iron which is to be found in dark green leafy vegetables , walnuts , resins , red meat , and kidneys

Other Medicines & Prescriptions:

The exact cause of the malady should be ascertained before starting the treatment. If it is of a mild nature and has been caused by insufficient nutrition, massive doses of the substances lacking could cure it. But if it is due to malfunctioning of the liver, the stomach, or the bone marrow, Punarnavadi Mandura or Punarnava Mandura are the medicines of choice. One gram of Mandura should be given with honey four times a day. For children, the dose can be suitably reduced. The main ingredient of the drug is punarnava i.e. Boerhaavia diffusa which has rejuvenating qualities. If given to healthy persons, it acts as an elixir. 

Vyoshadi Ghrita, Phahrikadi Kashaya, Pandu Panchanana Rasa and Lauhasava are some of the other drugs and standard Ayurvedic preparations that are useful in anaemia. 

Home Remedies:

Fresh liver of goat, which is lightly cooked, is a good solution. Fresh blood of goat or rabbit can immediately help in fighting the severity of anaemia.

Diet and Other Regimen:

Fruit juice, milk, meat soup, green vegetables, and light foods free from fats and sour substances are recommended for a patient suffering from anaemia. Sweet mango is like nectar for such a patient. If the patient is constipated, purgatives are indicated because anaemia is born of pitta, which can be corrected through purgation. Triphala water i.e. the three myrobalans soaked in water are the best remedy for such constipation. 

In Anaemia Due To Blood Loss:

The patient will have hypotension and tachycardia proportionate to the degree of hemorrhage. Acute hemorrhage usually present with signs and symptoms secondary to hypoxia and hypovolumia. If Acute, ie blood loss > 100ml, give prompt replacement by whole blood otherwise it will lead to cardiovascular collapse².

Blood loss below 100ml can be corrected by oral supplement of iron (in ferrous form) and protein. Among these, Carbo-veg, Chin, Phos-ac play a valuable role³. These drugs probably correct the hypovolumia by reducing the vascular bed by vasoconstriction. Stron-c is the drug for chronic sequalae of hemorrhage^.

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