What Is A Blood Clot?
A blood clot is a lump of semi-solid blood that is often seen following an injury. Your blood is made up of cells like platelets and plasma proteins that help in the formation of clots to prevent loss of excess blood from your body. Blood clotting or coagulation is a significant process that is of great help, especially in times of physical trauma. However, blood clots also have the potential to become life-threatening if they are formed in your veins or organs like the heart and lungs (1).
What Causes Blood Clots In The Leg?
As mentioned earlier, in some cases, a blood clot can be formed inside any of your veins. This condition is referred to as deep vein thrombosis (2). Such clots are a common occurrence in the legs. They can also occur in the heart, brain, lungs, or in the pelvic region. Some of the most common causes of a blood clot in the legs are:
Damage to one of the veins on your leg due to a physical trauma Interrupted blood flow Hypercoagulability: A condition where your blood is more likely to clot than usual Prolonged sitting or immobility Surgery: If you underwent surgery recently, you have an increased chance of developing a blood clot. Physical trauma to your lower body. Weight: If you are overweight or obese, you are at a higher risk of developing blood clots in your legs. Medical conditions: Varicose veins, vasculitis, heart attack, respiratory defects, or even a recent conception or childbirth can lead to a blood clot in the vein of your leg. Age: Older people are at higher risk of developing blood clots. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC): This is a medical condition that causes the blood to clot inappropriately due to an infection or organ failure.
All of these factors may contribute to the formation of a blood clot in the leg. A clot can further cause other changes in your body. The appearance of any of the following signs and symptoms in your body is an indication of a blood clot in your leg.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Blood Clot In The Leg?
The signs and symptoms associated with a blood clot are usually a result of obstructed blood flow and inflammation in the area of the clot. Some of them are as follows.
Swelling around the area of the clot. If the clot is big, you may notice swelling in your entire leg. Subsequent onset of pain in the area of the clot Inflammation or redness A warmth around the clot Increased pain in the leg while trying to bend it Leg and calf cramps Reddish-blue or whitish discoloration of the skin on the affected area
The intensity of the symptoms may vary from person to person. But irrespective of that, it is highly recommended to treat any clot in the leg as soon as you notice its appearance. The remedies mentioned here can help you in treating the blood clot in your leg naturally.
How To Get Rid Of Blood Clots In Legs Naturally
Home Remedies To Treat A Blood Clot In The Leg
1. Essential Oils
a. Anise Oil
What You Need
2 to 3 drops of anise essential oil 1 glass of water
Do this 2 to 3 times daily. Anise oil is extracted from a flowering plant called anise. It has a variety of medicinal uses and is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and a muscle relaxant. Thus, anise oil can be used to reduce pain and improve blood flow to treat the blood clot in your leg (3).
b. Helichrysum Oil
5 to 6 drops of helichrysum essential oil 30 ml of any carrier oil like coconut or olive oil
Do this at least thrice daily. Helichrysum oil is derived from the medicinal herb, helichrysum. It has many health benefits and is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a natural blood thinner due to its anticoagulant properties. Thus, helichrysum oil is one of the best options to treat the blood clot in your leg.
c. Wintergreen Oil
5 to 6 drops of wintergreen essential oil 30 ml of any carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil
Do this twice daily. Wintergreen oil contains a compound called methyl salicylate. Methyl salicylate is well known for its blood thinning properties and anti-inflammatory properties (4). Therefore, wintergreen oil can be helpful in treating the blood clot in your leg.
2. Epsom Salt
1 cup of Epsom salt Water
Follow this regimen once daily. Epsom salt is also referred to as magnesium sulfate. It is known to improve blood circulation and prevent hardening of blood clots. It is also anti-inflammatory. These properties of Epsom salt can help in the treatment of the blood clot in your leg (5), (6).
3. Garlic
3 to 4 garlic cloves 1 cup of hot water Honey (optional)
For best results, drink this tea 3 to 4 times daily. Garlic is known for its immense health benefits. It contains two organosulfur compounds called allicin and ajoene. These compounds give garlic its anti-thrombotic properties, which can help in treating your blood clot (7), (8), (9).
4. Green Tea
1 teaspoon green tea extract 1 cup of water Honey (optional)
Drink this tea at least thrice daily. The antioxidant properties of green tea are no secret. A few studies have found that green tea can also help prevent blood clots. It also exhibits anti-thrombotic properties and can help in treating blood clots (10), (11).
5. Oregano
500 mg supplements of oregano Consume oregano supplements on a daily basis. Do this at least 4 times daily for optimum results. Oregano has a number of benefits associated with it. In addition to being a natural antioxidant, it also exhibits antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Oregano is also found to inhibit platelet aggregation and can hence be used in the treatment of blood clots (12). [ Read: 26 Amazing Benefits Of Oregano ]
6. Vitamin E
400 mg Vitamin E capsules Consume Vitamin E capsules on a daily basis. You must consume this once daily. Vitamin E mainly consists of a group of eight fat-soluble vitamins called tocopherols and tocotrienols. Vitamin E is mainly used for its antioxidant and mild anticoagulant properties, which help in the treatment of blood clots (13), (14).
7. Turmeric
1 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 glass of warm milk
Add turmeric to a glass of warm milk and consume immediately. Do this 1 to 2 times daily. Turmeric is a natural antioxidant and is used in treating a variety of skin ailments. It contains a compound called curcumin that is responsible for its numerous benefits. Curcumin also displays anticoagulant properties and can, therefore, be used in treating the blood clot in your leg (15), (16), (17), (18).
8. Cayenne Pepper
450 mg cayenne pepper capsules Consume cayenne pepper capsules before your meals. You must do this at least twice daily. Cayenne pepper has a high amount of salicylates. These salicylates have powerful blood-thinning effects and can be used to treat the blood clot in your legs (19).
9. Ginger
1 inch of peeled ginger 1 cup of hot water Honey (optional)
You must drink this tea 2 to 3 times a day. Ginger contains a compound called salicylate. A very popular blood thinner called acetylsalicylic acid is derived from this compound. Thus, ginger can be a potential treatment for blood clots (20), (21), (22).
10. Yoga
Do some yoga asanas such as Uttanasana and Virabhadrasana I. Uttanasana is a standing forward bend pose and mainly involves bending from your hips. You must continue to descend slowly until you are able to touch your feet. Following this, slowly bring your palm to the back of your ankles and stand in the same position for 30 seconds to 1 minute. For more information about this asana, click here. Virabhadrasana I requires you to keep your legs about 3 1/2 feet apart. You must then bend one knee and stretch your other leg to the maximum. Stretch your hands above you until you lift your entire ribcage from your pelvis. Hold this position for 30 seconds to 1 minute. For more information about this asana, click here. Do this every morning. Yoga is extremely beneficial in keeping your mind and body healthy. The asanas mentioned here will help in stretching your legs and encourage blood circulation. This, in turn, prevents the formation of blood clots in your legs (23), (24), (25). [ Read: 5 Best Yoga Poses To Get Rid Of Leg Muscle Pain ]
11. Diet
Including some foods in your diet may help in blood thinning and treating existing blood clots (26), (27). You can follow a diet having the following foods to speed up your recovery.
Vegetables like broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions Fruit juices like pineapple juice, strawberry juice, cranberry juice, mulberry juice and grape juice Nuts such as walnut, almonds, pine nuts, cashews, and pistachios Fish such as mackerel, tuna, and salmon
Prevention is always better than cure. Following a healthy diet and making some positive lifestyle changes will reduce the chances of recurrence of the blood clot. You can follow the preventive tips mentioned below along with the remedies to help the blood clot heal faster.
Preventive Tips
Keep a check on your weight and BMI Avoid activities that involve prolonged periods of inactivity Get up and walk every couple of hours if you have been sitting or lying down at a stretch Elevate your legs every once in a while to promote blood flow Exercise
How do you know if you have a blood clot? The following infographic discusses a few more effective remedies to manage blood clots. Check them out. If there is a discolored patch of skin on your leg coupled with pain and swelling, there is a high chance that you have a blood clot in your leg. Also, any swelling associated with a blood clot does not go away even on icing it. How does a blood clot in one’s leg feel? A blood clot is usually reddish blue or pale in appearance. The affected area is also warm to touch and becomes painful subsequently. Does drinking water help dissolve blood clots? Yes, drinking plenty of water regularly throughout the day may help improve blood circulation and promote proper movement of blood throughout the body. This may help reduce your risk of developing blood clots. Do you put ice or heat on a blood clot? Anecdotal evidence suggests that heat helps improve the movement of blood across the body, while ice does not treat blood clots. However, it is recommended that you speak to your doctor and follow their instructions for managing blood clots. How long does it take for a blood clot to go away with blood thinners? With proper treatment, blood clots can dissolve between 3 to 6 months.
