Nettle leaf & supplements for anaemia
Anaemia is often associated with fatigue which can be debilitating and affect your quality of life. The fatigue can be so severe that people cancel social occasions as they feel unable to do more than the absolute essentials.
You are not alone!
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia worldwide affecting around 500 million people- NICE, 2022
Anaemia can impair memory and concentration and cause irritability. Sufferers can have experience exercise intolerance, loss of appetite and restless leg syndrome. In severe cases it can impact on the heart which is another reason why it is important to correct a deficiency.
For women, heavy periods can be a key cause of iron deficient anaemia due to the amount of blood lost each month. Other causes include gut issues such as coeliac’s disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease which affect iron absorption, rheumatoid arthritis and a poor dietary intake. There are different causes of uterine bleeding such as heavy periods and fibroids. It is important to understand the root cause of dysfunctional bleeding and rule out anything more concerning. Treating the underlying cause is as important as the anaemia itself.
You should get blood tests to diagnose anaemia and an assessment with a GP should help you work out the cause as there are many reasons for fatigue. Blood tests will also give you a base line for your iron levels which you can use to measure the effectiveness of your treatment strategy.
Once you understand the reason for your anaemia you can take steps towards managing an underlying condition, if you have one, and make positive changes towards better health such as taking herbs and eating iron rich foods.
Whether you have a nutritional iron deficiency or a condition causing anaemia, eating more iron rich foods is recommended.
IRON RICH FOODS
Including iron rich foods in your diet can be useful in maintaining healthy iron stores.
Iron rich foods include:
Dark green leafy vegetables like kale, collards, spinach and broccoli daily
Red beans and lentils daily
Dried fruits, such as raisins, dried apricots and prunes daily
Raw cacao powder is the highest plant-based source of iron. Although you may not eat lots in one go it can make a helpful addition to dietary intake
Lean red meats and dark poultry meat can be eaten 2-3 times a week but the impact to environmental & animal health should be considered first
IRON SUPPLEMENTS
If you are anaemic supplements are usually recommended for a time until your iron reserves return to normal.
If you have an underlying condition which causes anaemia you need to attend to this or the anaemia may return. Herbal medicine may be particularly helpful in reducing heavy menstrual flow and managing digestive issues such as those mentioned above. If you are interested in booking a consultation for further support please click here.
Iron supplements can often cause nausea and constipation so I recommend iron supplements which are gentle on the gut and easily absorbed.
Floradix (vegetarian) or Floravital (vegan). This is a liquid formula made from fruits, vegetables and herbs. The liquid needs to be kept in the fridge but tablets also available for convenience.
Ferroglobin is another gentle form of iron which also comes in liquid or capsules.
Spatone is an iron rich water sourced from from Snowdonia in Wales.
NETTLE LEAF
Makes an excellent treatment for anaemia.
HERBAL MEDICINES
Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioca) offer a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals and should be considered as one of our top superfoods. It’s high vitamin C content make it a valuable spring vegetable and can be used in the place of spinach in cooking. Once Nettle leaves are cooked the stings are rendered harmless so there is no need to worry about eating them.
Vitamin C is commonly combined with iron supplements as it increases the body’s ability to absorb iron. Nettle already has these two nutrients beautifully combined and readily bioavailable. Nettle has long been considered a blood tonic and makes an excellent treatment for anaemia.
Harvesting Nettle
The top part of the Nettle plant is best picked in spring using gardening or rubber gloves. If you repeatedly pick a Nettle patch it will send up new shoots which can be harvested repeatedly into late summer and autumn. Rinse off any dirt and use fresh or they can be preserved for later by drying or freezing.
Nettle tea
Use a couple of fresh Nettle tops, or a couple of dessertspoons of chopped dried Nettle leaf per teapot of boiling water. Allow to steep for 15-20 minutes and strain. Drink freely, but at least 3 cups a day. An infusion made from the fresh Nettle should be tried as it tastes incredible.
Nettles can be combined in any recipe where you would cook spinach. This Nettle soup recipe is easy and delicious if you fancy trying Nettle as a food:
Nettle soup recipe
Saute 1 chopped onion and 1 diced stick of celery in a little oil
Add 1 litre of water or vegetable stock, two handfuls of peeled and chopped potatoes and several handfuls of fresh nettle tops
Simmer gently for 10-15 minutes and then blend to your preferred consistency
Add salt and pepper to taste
Enjoy!