Studies say that over half of the female population of India suffers from anemia. This condition is caused by the lack of oxygen flow in the body, which further causes:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Fast heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Hair loss
The root cause of anemia
What causes lack of oxygen flow in the body? Here is what experts say:
1. Lack of hemoglobin: Haemoglobin is the oxygen carrier in the red blood cells (RBCs) of the body. When sufficient hemoglobin is not produced, the size of the RBCs diminish, causing an inadequate flow of oxygen. Insufficient production of haemoglobin is caused by iron deficiency.
2. Over-sized RBCs: Over-sized RBCs are caused by the deficiency of either folic acid or vitamin B12. When RBCs become over-sized, they cannot pass through blood vessels, obstructing the flow of oxygen.
Clearly, anemia is caused by certain nutrient deficiencies. But, what causes these deficiencies?
The root cause of the cause: Understanding anemia through Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda, nutrient deficiencies arise because of vikirita pitta or pitta (the fire element) flowing in an abnormal direction. So, the cause of anemia is not an apparent nutrient deficiency but something gone wrong with the body’s fire element. Here are the causes of this condition:
- Excessive consumption of sour and salty food items
- Excess physical exertion
Naturally, to attend to these causes, you will have to do a little more than including iron-rich or vitamin B12 rich food items in your diet. Following are some home remedies which tend to all causes of the disease:
Avoid salty, sour and spicy food
These food items direct pitta in an abnormal direction which causes nutrient deficiencies. So, it is recommended to avoid them.
Tap the benefits of nature’s pharmacy
There are certain plants in nature which help reduce the effects of anemia. The best examples are that of neem and tulsi. Neem is rich in iron. Whereas tulsi is rich in iron and vitamin C – a vitamin which helps in the absorption of iron.
Have anjeer milk
This is a home remedy to increase hemoglobin in the blood as anjeer is rich in iron. It is recommended to boil pieces of anjeer and cardamom in milk on a low flame and drink it at bedtime. Do this twice a week.
Consume ghee in the morning
Ghee balances the pitta dosha. It thus tends to the root of anemia, which is an aggravated pitta. It is recommended to consume 10 ml of ghee early in the morning on an empty stomach.
Consume food from iron utensils
This is an age-old technique. The food in an iron utensil absorbs iron from it, making itself potent for an anemic patient.
Have suitable fruits and vegetables
Certain fruits and vegetables act as excellent supplements for an anemic patient. Beetroot, for instance, is rich in folic acid. Pomegranates and apples are rich in iron. Also, take fruits rich in vitamin C as they help in the absorption of iron.
Based on inputs by Sunanda K, Sri Sri Ayurveda Doctor
