Tumeric as an anticoagulant

[pellicle]

Some time ago there was a thread on what us mech valvers should do in an emergency. Today I discovered that tumeric has anticoagulant properties

Curcumin, a polyphenol responsible for the yellow color of the curry spice turmeric, possesses antiinflammatory, antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities. However, anticoagulant activities of curcumin have not been studied. Here, the anticoagulant properties of curcumin and its derivative (bisdemethoxycurcumin, BDMC) were determined by monitoring activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT) as well as cell-based thrombin and activated factor X (FXa) generation activities. Data showed that curcumin and BDMC prolonged aPTT and PT significantly and inhibited thrombin and FXa activities. They inhibited the generation of thrombin or FXa. In accordance with these anticoagulant activities, curcumin and BDMC showed anticoagulant effect in vivo. Surprisingly, these anticoagulant effects of curcumin were better than those of BDMC indicating that methoxy group in curcumin positively regulated anticoagulant function of curcumin. Therefore, these results suggest that curcumin and BDMC possess antithrombotic activities and daily consumption of the curry spice turmeric might help maintain anticoagulant status.

http://www.pubfacts.com/detail/22531131/Anticoagulant-activities-of-curcumin-and-its-derivative.

 

[Eva]

I just started taking Turmeric hoping it will help with fibromyalgia! I will have to check my INR more often to see its effects. I'll update its results. A lady I met at my hair dresser swore of its effect with relieving muscle pains...she has been taking Turmeric for two years every morning.

 

[Protimenow]

Interesting. There is a body of literature that touts the benefits - anticancer, etc., of turmeric/curcumin. I may have actually taken it, at my wife's urging (or in meds that she sometimes likes to give me) over the years, but didn't associate any changes in INR to the effects of curcumin. If warfarin wasn't so affordable, it may even be interesting to try to get a functional dose and fill my own capsules with the stuff. (It also is ample justification for never liking mustard).

 

[NewbieSlo]

I believe that garlic has also anticoagulant properies - just don't know in what quantities.

When started googling, I found the sampe reports (so anticoagulant properties( being listed for several other herbs. Here are some links that you might find interesting:
http://www.ctds.info/natthinners.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/128603-foods-anticoagulant-properties/
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA33112/Natural-Alternative-to-Coumadin.html
http://www.home-remedies-haven.com/natural-blood-thinners.html

But I hope that there will never be such a situation, that you would have limited access to coumadin.

 

[Protimenow]

The possibility that many things (turmeric, garlic, leafy greens, and probably many OTC herbs) can cause changes in INR creates a strong argument -- and justification -- for self testing. This kind of information should alert all of us who take warfarin to test regularly, especially if we change medications (prescribed or otherwise) or diet.