ITP - Editor's Choice

ITP or more formally, Idopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, is usually classified as an autoimmune disease in adults and tends to be a chronic condition. In children it is usually caused by a virus and is often self limiting. Natural remedies for ITP include remedies to build the blood like chlorophyll and remedies to fight the viral root of ITP.

What is ITP?

When a child or adult has a low platelet count with no clear cause, ITP is a common diagnosis. The "I" in ITP stands for "idiopathic" which means, "a disease with no known cause." Often times before a diagnosis of ITP is made, multiples tests are done to rule out other medical conditions. Thrombocytopenic means "low platelet count." The "P" in ITP is for "purpura" which means that small blood vessels are leaking.  "Petechiae" are small red dots seen on the surface of the skin caused by the leaking blood vessels. If you have petechiae, bruise or bleed easily, ITP may be considered.  Women with ITP also are prone to heavier periods. Frequent nosebleeds are another symptom.

Traditional medical treatment for ITP include monitoring the blood count, steroids, and removal of the spleen in severe cases.  Normal platelet counts range from 150,000 to 400,000. People with ITP often have numbers below 100,000. If the platelets drop to the 10,000-20,000 range, ITP can become very dangerous as the body can bleed even without injury.

What are Natural Treatments for ITP?

Aloe Juice 

Aloe Juice is not the best tasting juice but has been found to be helpful for ITP. This juice can be added to other juice if you do not care for the taste.

Alfalfa

Alfalafa is a blood building herb and tonic. It can be taken in capsules, tablets or as a tea.

Liquid Chlorophyll

Liquid Chlorophyll is used to build the blood. This remedy is especially helpful to women who have heavy periods caused by their ITP. A normal dosage for liquid chlorophyll is 1-2 spoonfuls each day. During a heavy period, a spoonful every hour or two will often calm the bleeding down.

Colloidal Silver

Colloidal Silver is a natural treatment for a variety of viruses and bacteria.  Because even adult onset ITP may have a viral cause, colloidal silver may be an appropriate natural solution.

Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses is an all natural way to get your vitamins. When vitamins are taken into the body in a nutrient dense food, they are able to work especially well together. Blackstrap Molasses is a food that helps to build the blood and decrease bleeding in women with heavy periods.

 Vitamin C

Vitamin C is critical for immune health. Vitamin C also helps to strengthen capillaries. Vitamin C, taken as sodium ascorbate, can be taken in larger amounts than ascorbic acid, because it is more gentle to the stomach. Liposomal Vitamin C is a way to get a concentrated vitamin C that is more readily absorbed. Those that need higher amounts of vitamin C can take it several times daily. If you begin to have loose stools, you have reached the maximum amount of vitamin C that your body can use. Cut back a little until you no longer have loose stools.

Papaya Leaf

Papaya leaf, made into a tea, in extract form has proven effective to boost platelet count in some cases, in particular for those whose low platelets have been caused by Dengue fever. Papaya leaf has been also used to prevent malaria and has helped some with Lyme disease. This strong herb does have a somewhat bitter taste. To disguise that, when making a tea from papaya leaf, add some peppermint and sweeten with honey.  The juice from papaya leaf can be added to another juice, if you have access to papaya juice.

Dietary Changes for ITP

Most health conditions benefit from an improved diet, even if diet is not conventionally linked to particular health conditions. Your body needs quality nutrients to work well. If you consume a lot of empty calories, soda, sugar, processed foods, alcohol, etc. your body is likely lacking critical nutrients for proper function.

Try to increase your fruit intake, especially berries. Increase your vegetable intake as well. Beets are a great vegetable for the blood.

Improve the fats you use. Extra virgin coconut oil and olive oil are the best fats to use. Avoid hydrogenated oils.

Consume quality proteins. Lean meats, legumes, and eggs are good choices.

Cultured foods like kefir, yogurt and kombucha are excellent for your health.

What to Avoid if you Have ITP

If you have ITP your blood is already on the thin side. Aspirin is a blood thinner and should be avoided by those with ITP. The herb white willow bark has similar properties to aspirin and should be avoided as well. Ibuprofen can decrease platelets and should be avoided by those with ITP. Check labels of any over the counter pain medications that you take as many will have aspirin or ibuprofen as one of the ingredients.  Quinine may have a bad effect on ITP and should be avoided as well.

Have you tired a natural remedy for ITP? Please share you experience with us! And continue reading to see what others have learned and found helpful for their ITP.