Polycythemia
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Natural Remedies for High Red Blood Cell Count (Polycythemia)

| Modified on Aug 19, 2024
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A high red blood cell (RBC) count, or polycythemia, can lead to serious health concerns like blood clots, stroke, and heart issues. While medical intervention is often necessary, incorporating natural remedies can help manage and reduce elevated RBC levels. Below are some effective natural strategies that can support your body in maintaining a healthy balance.

1. Stay Hydrated

Dehydration is a common cause of high RBC count. When the body is dehydrated, the blood becomes more concentrated, leading to an increased RBC count. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help dilute the blood and reduce RBC levels. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water daily, and more if you're active or live in a hot climate.

2. Herbal Teas

Certain herbal teas are known to support blood health and may help reduce RBC count. Some of the most effective include:

  • Nettle Leaf Tea: Nettle is rich in iron and can help balance blood levels.
  • Ginger Tea: Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can improve circulation.
  • Dandelion Root Tea: Dandelion supports liver function, which is crucial for blood regulation.

Drink 1-2 cups of these herbal teas daily to support overall blood health.

3. Increase Physical Activity

Regular exercise helps improve circulation and can reduce RBC count by increasing oxygen consumption and promoting healthy blood flow. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, most days of the week.

4. Consume Antioxidant-Rich Foods

Foods high in antioxidants can help protect blood cells from oxidative stress and promote a healthy balance of RBCs. Include a variety of fruits and vegetables, particularly those rich in vitamins C and E, in your diet. Some examples include:

  • Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)
  • Leafy greens (spinach, kale)
  • Nuts and seeds (almonds, sunflower seeds)

5. Limit Iron-Rich Foods

If your high RBC count is due to excessive iron intake, reducing the consumption of iron-rich foods can be beneficial. Avoid overconsumption of red meat, liver, and iron-fortified cereals. Instead, opt for protein sources like fish, poultry, and legumes.

6. Avoid Smoking

Smoking increases carbon monoxide levels in the blood, leading to an elevated RBC count as the body tries to compensate for reduced oxygen levels. Quitting smoking can have a significant positive impact on your RBC count and overall health.

7. Consider Natural Supplements

Some supplements may help regulate RBC production and promote healthy blood:

  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish oil, omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties and can improve circulation.
  • Curcumin: The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, supports blood health and reduces inflammation.
  • Garlic: Known for its cardiovascular benefits, garlic can help thin the blood and reduce RBC count.
  • Cayenne: effective for managing thickened blood. The capsaicin in cayenne stimulates blood flow, thins blood, and regulates circulation.

Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplements, especially if you're on medication or have underlying health conditions.

Please share your experience and let us know how it worked for you! Continue reading below for feedback from Earth Clinic readers who have tried various remedies for this condition.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Cause of Polycythemia Vera

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Posted by Digger (Ma) on 06/17/2018
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Polycythemia vera:

I am a journalist who was on a big story, and uranium, silicate glass, and antimony were found in one burner of my gas stove. 9 months after exposure after I started passing silicate glass kidney stones. Uranium was also found in my hair and the urine of one member of our family. Less than 2 years later, my platelet count was super low, and hemoglobin creeping up. Iron also was elevated 6 years later. Am now dealing with a diagnosis of polycythemia vera.

My understanding is that it's often attributed to genetic mutations due to radiation exposure and is not usually hereditary. Also, ATSDR study in PA where there were increased incidents of polycythemia vera showed an increase in exposure to coal dust with uranium in it. Just thought I'd comment about my experiences. If you smell a rat in your personal situation, there may be one. Two known criminals went to jail in relation to my case.

Wishing all of you the best outcomes.

Replied by Staunch
(Charlotte, Nc)
08/03/2018

Digger, I have similar experiences and after having been ill for many years with a syndrome that had many debilitating symptoms I came on something that was helping with most of those symptoms and it is called Imusist. Then my nueropathy got much worse and my feet and lower legs went black and red and it was very painful. I added the Hydrogen peroxide regimen and took EDTA to remove heavy metals. I also cut out all carbs to eliminate lectins from my diet and am on raw Dandelion root and B17. I am doing much better and my feet are looking good. BTW, I also drink distilled water and that helps my iron overload dramatically. I will check back here in case you want more details.

Ally
(Seattle, Washington)
02/02/2023

What hydrogen peroxide regimen are you on? Do you have polycythemia Vera?

Replied by Alyson N
(Las Vegas)
06/30/2022

Hopefully you are still doing well in 2022. I have been reading all of this and waiting for the results of my Jak2 bloodwork

Ally
(Seattle, WA)
02/02/2023

Did you get results? How are you doing? What have you found to help?

Dietary Changes

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Posted by Sharon (Wellington) on 07/22/2018
 ★★★★★

Polycythemia Vera - while what to eat is important, consider not eating for a while and letting the body do some repair work while not having to concentrate on digestion. I have started down this road - doing fasts of just over 4 days and each time my numbers come back within normal (JAK2+). I want to know more about if this is going to work as an ongoing thing and what the maintenance # of fasts and length of fasts may be required.

I have just managed to get hold of a copy of Jason Fung's fasting book - so hopefully, more info is on hand.

One of the things I had heard from a cancer doctor - was when fasting for cancer - water only, and then distilled water at that. Having been eating ketogenically for a while - fasting is not a hard thing to do!

Replied by Anon
(Usa)
07/23/2018

Fasting is really relaxing. It is a great way to destress. It is easier if you take senna when you begin so your body isn't worrying about working on anything.

Dietary Changes
Posted by Bonnie (Florida, US) on 11/07/2014
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I was diagnosed with Polycythemia Vera in 2010. My red blood cells were at 1 million and normal is 200,000 to 400,000. My cancer doctor started giving me phlebotomys and hydroxyurea. The lowest my red cell count ever got to was 800,000. Two years ago I looked up foods that thin your blood and started eating them. I was visiting my dad at the time and went to his doctor after two weeks being on this diet. He did a blood test and my count was 300,000!!! He asked if I was sure about being diagnosed with PV and I told him I had a bone marrow biopsy and was positive. He couldn't believe it.

If you want, just look up foods on the internet that thin your blood and avoid the ones that thicken your blood. I no longer take hydroxyurea or get phlebotomys and am normal!!

Replied by Greg
(Nj)
12/31/2014

What was the diet?

Replied by Sagarie
(Srilanka)
01/22/2015

I read with interest how the blood counts came to normal with foods that thin the blood. Please let me know what you ate. My father has been diagnosed with polycythemia Vera. Thanks sagarie

Replied by Anatoli
(New York)
01/27/2015

Hi please let me know what diet you used, my father's count is very high.

Replied by Ruth
(Malta)
02/01/2015

Very good news to hear that you learned how to optimize your health and return your red blood cells to normal and healthy levels! Please do let us know which foods you ate, it would help out a lot of people. Polycythemia Vera also runs in my family. Thank you and good health to you and all other PV sufferers out there.

Replied by Bee
(New York, US)
02/01/2015

Hi, I would like to do baking soda protocol but last time I tried it my bp went up and I have high blood pressure.. Is there baking soda without a lot of sodium. Thank You..

Replied by Leonard
(Nampa, Idaho)
02/09/2015

I would like to know how I can keep my phlebotomys down. I started with having one three times a week, then I gradually got up to every 6 to 9 month. Now it's every 3 months. I really need to know what I can eat to get back to 6 or 9 months or never. Thanks for your time.

Replied by Abdul
(India)
02/10/2015

Hi Bonnie, Thanks for sharing your experience, but you are not saying which food you ate, so that we can also try and get benefited. Thanks..:-(

Replied by Hoodedclaw
(Saffron Walden, Essex)
02/12/2015

I would like to know the diet for polycythemia vera please as my wife is not getting on with hydroycarbamide.

Dave F.
(Chicago)
03/29/2016

In my and most cases enlargement of the spleen and a rise in hematocrit, platelets and white cells were not inhibited by diet and supplements. The drug that does slow or stop PV is Pegasys, a weekly dose of Interferon. There is not other drug that improves the bone marrow and attacks the underlying disease. I take many a supplement and they help, along with exercise with your overall health. I avoid supplemental B6- B12 and Iron since they part of the blood making process.

Egla
(Saint Petersburg, Fl)
09/12/2022

What about P32? That's an injection done once a year that controls the overproduction of bone marrow.

Replied by Hoodedclaw
(Saffron Walden, Essex)
02/13/2015

What is your platelet count?

Replied by Susan
(Usa)
02/24/2015

Isn't the 800,000 your platelet count? My platelets were at 1 million and normal is 200,000-400,000. I am totally confused. I had essential thrombocythemia diagnosed 3 years ago. (Jak2+). Now after new symptoms and a bone marrow biopsy I have polycythemia vera and all my counts are high. With hydroxyurea my platelets have gone down to around 500,000.

I guess I just want to know if I am mistaken in thinking that the numbers you quoted are actually a platelet count not a red blood cell count??

Replied by Kevin
(Mo., US)
03/20/2015

I have been eating kiwi's, taking turmeric and red wine extracts along with ginko biloba. My counts stay down for a ten to 12 week period before needing a phlebotomy. I too am interested in the above diet. Given what I have researched and tried on myself I am skeptical that Bonnie was able to achieve that great of a success. Do share Bonnie, what's your secret?

Replied by Charity
(Faithville, Us)
03/20/2015

Water thins the blood, most people are at some stage of dehydration but aren't aware of it, and there are a lot of websites that have loads of information on thinning the blood. Bonnie stated she searched for them and added those things to her diet. The internet is our library.

http://www.ctds.info/natthinners.html

Replied by Rick
(Charlotte, Nc)
07/05/2015

What was the diet that lowered your planet count?

Replied by Shimi
(Hod Hasharon)
07/11/2015

Hi bonnie Can you please ellaborate about the diet? I have been diagnoised with pv for 11 years now and I also use aspirin and hydrea. Would love to hear about other natural treatments. Thanks a lot Shimi

Replied by Kay
(Texas)
08/12/2015

I have just been recently diagnosed with PV, I have learned that you have to stay iron deficient, that is why the platelet count stays high. I am certainly going to research this diet, I do not like taking blood thinners and hopefully I won't have to for very long. My hematacrit when diagnosed was 64.8, normal as you know is less than 45, I was fixing to have a stroke, very important to keep under control. I was just diagnosed at the end of June this year so this is all new to me. Thanks for all the info this far.

I was told by MD Anderson physician that you never take vitamins with iron and the platelet will always be high. Just keep on monitoring, I still go twice a week. Stay healthly everyone. Take care

Replied by Cayenne
(Florida)
08/23/2015

Hello, everyone. Bonnie is my mom, for her diet we researched what foods are high and low in vitamin k and iron. She eats foods that are lowest in each of these. Lots of raw garlic and cayenne pepper. Lots of pomegranate juice. Food high in salicylates but also check they are not ones high in iron or vit k. Lots of water. Omega-3 righ foods. You have to follow a very strict diet.

Brenda
(SC)
04/25/2021

Thank you for sharing the information. Would it be possible for you to share some of the foods that she uses and those that she avoids? I really would appreciate any help that you could give me at this time. Thank you.

Sylvia
(Holland)
11/02/2021

Thanks for the tips!

Replied by Alicia
(San Diego, Ca)
08/23/2015
★☆☆☆☆

Hi, I was diagnosed with PV 4 years ago and am seriously allergic to hydroxyurea. I am a Registered Nurse and understand the progression of PV but have no knowledge of holistic foods/ medicine to relieve burning/itching skin that keeps me awake at night. Please share any experience/knowledge others have experienced regarding reducing high RBCs, Platelets and WBCs headaches and burning/itching skin. I was diagnosed at age 51. Thank you, Alicia

Replied by Veronica
(Rhode Island)
11/03/2015

Alicia, There is something called the coumadin diet - just look up foods that are high in salicylic acid. This is what I am doing now and am crossing my fingers that it will work.

Replied by Pamela
(Saint George)
11/03/2015

I also have been diagnosed with PV / ET in 2009. I believe It is your platelets that are going that high not the red blood cells which makes it essential thrombocytosis or ET.. the red blood cells also get dangerously high with PV but not those numbers you were using. maybe you have essential thrombocytosis. Pamela

Arleen
(Ny)
06/22/2016

I am contemplating interferon. I am also listening to the talk about defeating p.c.v. with an herbal approach. Did you consider that? Have you had any side effects from the interferon? Thank you

Replied by Syed
(Hyderabad, India)
07/03/2016

Can you suggest the diet which will increase the RBC WBC Platelet count. and the diet which will decrease the levels,

I have polycithimia vera with higher levels of RBC. WBC AND Platetes I am taking Hydrea 500 mg once a day and ecosprin 75 mg one per day. I am 70 years of age.

Replied by Eli
(Los Angeles, Ca)
09/26/2016

I was diagnosed with PV about 20 years ago. Taking Aspirin low dose, phlebotomy every 4-6 weeks. Now was prescribed Hydroxyurea. I am afraid to take it: looks like it has a lot of side effects. Also developed Iron deficiency. Constantly feel tired.

What food/supplements can I take to improve? Can anyone recommend a diet?

Denis
(New Zealand)
03/23/2023

Hi Eli, I was diagnosed with Polycythaemia Vera Almost a year ago, at the beginning I was having two Venesections a week, I was taking a small Aspirin and a Hydroxyurea capsul once a day, I've had no problem at all with that medication, Venesection went down to once a fortnight then once a month until my blood count was normal, I then went five and a half months before my next Venesection and since that one, I have not have not been asked to do another for almost three months. I have the People at the Venesection unit along with my GP Checking my blood count, Hope your well and all others on this site. Denis

Replied by Judy
(California)
10/21/2016

I've had PV JAK2 + for 2 1/2 yrs. I take Floradex with iron an herbal supplement that has no side effects. I have been able to get my ferritin level from 6 to 12 over time. It hasn't changed how my Hct goes up, or effected my platelets or WBC. My Doctor is not supportive of me taking this but I track all my lab values so it is obvious it hasn't effected anything but my ferritin.

Replied by Deepak Sharma
(Delhi)
11/26/2016

Can you please suggest some foods that you have tried in your problem? So that I can look for the similar foods for my mother.

Replied by Rosie
(Mn)
01/31/2017

Hi, I have high platelets (Essential Thrombocythemia, a Jak2 gene mutation), diagnosed in 2011. I actually had symptoms for about 10 yrs but the MDs were unable to discover the cause. My main symptom was burning in my great toes.... which was caused by clotting in the bone marrow of my toes. I would get relief for 4 days by taking ONE ibuprofen. (NSAIDS mess w your platelets, make them less sticky).

Any way, I am on Hydrea 500 mg daily, and my platelets are now fairly normal. The burning stopped soon after the platelets decreased. They went from a high of 850,00 to 450,000. I would prefer to stop the Hydrea, aka Hydroxyurea, but would risk clotting again. (The Hydrea side effects I have are dry skin and some darkened facial spots.)

I am an RN.

My RN friend was diagnosed with PV last yr. She slowly improved after diagnosis, and phlebotomies, and she takes Hydrea 1000 mg daily. Her itching was very bothersome. I suggested she take a supplement called Cellular Energy and the itching stopped!

Donna
(USA)
07/31/2023

Rosie, research Nattokinase and Serrapeptase for blood thinning and fibrin /blood clot dissolving.

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
02/01/2017

Dear Rosie,

Thank you for sharing this. I am fascinated that one ibuprofen would improve your condition for 4 whole days.

20 years ago I had a fallopian tube rupture as part of a complication of a tubal pregnancy. I had multiple surgeries and blood transfusions because of life threatening blood loss. They never concluded the source of the continue bleeding (this was after they had tied off the ruptured tube). I did have ITP at the time and so was always low in platelets, but had had surgery before and since with out complications.

However, prior to the rupture (I didn't know I was pregnant) I had been taking ibuprofen regularly for headaches.

I have suspected before that the ibuprofen use had made the bleeding situation worse, especially on top of my already low platelets.

I think it isn't recommended to take it up to 20 weeks before surgery. Of course, you never know when you will have surgery.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
02/02/2017

GASP MtM!!! You HAVE been thru the mill, haven't you!! No wonder you've learnt so much!

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
02/02/2017

Oopsie - I meant that you are not supposed to take ibuprofen 2 weeks prior to surgery. :)

Replied by Valentin
(Argentina)
04/22/2017

Low iron is high platelet (high blood clot risk) and viceversa...

Iron lowers platelet counts.

But if your levels of iron and iron reservoirs are over the top and you keep dieting on iron high foods you will have problems.

Iron foods result in low blood clots, if your body doesn't have sufficient iron you will probably suffer from blood clots.

BALANCE the body is the result?

Replied by Lawrence
(Nashville Tn)
05/28/2017

I want to heal my polysythemia vera and would like learn specific foods to eat during my breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Replied by Regina F.
(Canada)
05/29/2017

For polysythemia take Blood Palace, and for thinning your blood, take garlic, white willow

and so many more.

Replied by Khalid
(Wah Cantt Pakistan)
08/17/2017

i m 56 male .weight 113 kg too much. got two heart attack 4years and two years ago .both time my hb was 19 and hct was 52.unfortunately my country pakistan. after two years diagnosed P.V secondary .polibotomey 6 time. now it controlled.my hb is 11.8 and hct 47. iron in body just 9. can I take Omega 3. because I have eye decease. please tell what can I do please please

Replied by Semi
(California)
09/13/2017

I diagnosed with PV last week, age 42, have healthy life routine. Thanks a lot for sharing this Bonnie, this is very promising and I am not wrong to the followings. I have started having 1/2 clove raw garlic with glass of water on empty stomach every other morning. I also have mix of 2 table spoon of organic apple cider vinegar( with mother) in a glass of water on empty stomach in the morning. We use a lot of turmeric and garlic in Persian food. Good idea to check the vitamin K. I am so glad that I found this fourm. Does any body know about effect of kiwi & guava for PV patients? Thanks, Semi

Replied by Crystal Mcgraw
(Arizona)
09/14/2017
★★★★★

My test results have also changed drastically with a VERY strict diet. After 6 small strokes in May, my NMD put me on a vegan like diet. I was getting phlebotomized every 3-4 weeks. Staying low on iron and vit k is a must, but you also eat to clean your blood. Vegis until you can't eat anymore. We looked up a ton of vegan recipes on a website called knifesoverforks and eventually we added very little organic poultry and wild caught salmon along with goat or sheep cheese. This makes it much more sustainable for our family. I haven't had a phlebotomy in 3 months now and my tests are normal. Foods can heal. 🌹

Replied by Semi
(Ca)
09/14/2017

Hi, I am curious to know how much turmeric you eat everyday. We add turmeric powder to the food during cooking process.

Thanks, Semi

Replied by Jan
(New Zealand)
09/30/2017

I am interested in What you take - especially the blood palace . What brand do you buy and how much do you take also has it stopped your PCV from going up . I have tried many things and are still trying to get on top of my condition find it hard to balance as I have also very low ferritin levels.

Replied by Tracey
(Cairns Queensland)
10/23/2017

Did you have the jak2 mutant? thanks

Replied by Barbara
(Las Cruces, Nm)
12/31/2017

Could someone suggest more diet details or recommend literature/book?

Replied by Sadeck
(Durban, South Africa)
01/05/2018

Please can you send me the foods that helped you with polycethemia Vera and the diet that I can use?

Replied by Mark B.
(New Zealand)
02/03/2018

Cannot see how thinning the blood could ever lower the red blood cell count but good luck to you.

Replied by Janet
(Tacoma, Wa, Usa)
04/04/2018

I am interested in what you ate that helped you.

Replied by Sabiha
(Pakistan)
04/30/2018

Hi could you plz tell me about which food I should take as I'm also a PV affected. Thanks

Replied by Excitr1011
(New York)
07/30/2018

Just diagnosed with this, age 41. What kind of life can be expected?

Replied by Frank
(Quebec)
08/25/2018

I also have been diagnosed with PV and it is treated well with Hydrea and baby aspirin. I have seen references to using curcumin but it also is a blood thinner. Does that quality lead to too much blood thinning?

Replied by Camelia
(NM)
09/12/2022

My Menu for the day I was just told I have polycythemia vera and went on a massive dietary research for five days. Here is what I found we can eat. This is the lowest iron foods, at least in the USA. Salmon (not raw) Tuna (not raw) White meat chicken (no skin) Garlic Avocado Apple Pear Black tea (no sugar) Green tea (no sugar) Coffee (no cream or sugar) One can eat white cheeses in very small dose if desired. I saw a site or two that said we can eat walnuts, and also boiled eggs, but I am still checking on that. I've seen some good talk about pomegranate juice and cranberry juice. Herbs: (See if you have an herbologist in your town, otherwise call one on the phone and start a conversation about an herb plan.) Research says these help us: Turmeric Garlic Cayenne Pepper Aloe Vera Cinnamon Ginkgo biloba Dong quai Feverfew Bromelain Evening primrose Melatonin Also suggested on some sites, a spoon of baking soda in glass of water. But see how you feel after a week of this. A spoon of apple cider vinegar every day. But see how you feel after a week of this.

Replied by Sikandar
(Pakistan)
07/04/2023

What foods helped u to thin your blood and which one to avoid?

Nattokinase + Serrapeptase

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Posted by Donna M (USA) on 07/31/2023
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Research Nattokinase and Serrapeptase for blood thinning, clot dissolving, fibrin (scar) dissolving. I prepared a long note to paste here. Apparently, pasting is not allowed. You will have to do your own research. Youtube for uses, benefits, dosages. Search Google for information. These are protein-dissolving enzymes. Natto if from the Japanese fermented food, and serrapeptase is from silk worm digestive tract.

EC: Sorry about that. Shouldn't be an issue. Please email it to us and we'll post it for you ([email protected]) and find out from our programmer why it didn't paste.

Replied by Cris
(Mi)
07/25/2013

I've been diagnosed with Polycythemia Vera (PV) at 45, which was 15 years ago, during an abdominal exam, my spleen was large. Confirmed with bone marrow test. Dr. Put me on anagrylin, now increased to 600 mg. /day. Along with 4-6 phlebotomies per year keep my counts in reasonable range, platelets and hematocrit. I am also taking Coumadin due to A fib. This helps thin the blood. All combined seem to work. I know when it's time for phlebotomie when I itch and I am a little light headed. I am surprised by the small number of comments. I heard that increased number of people diagnosed with PV were found in an area recently polluted. Looking forward to hear about others' experiences. You take care!

Potassium Bicarb

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Posted by Robert (UK) on 02/03/2020
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Polycythemia Vera -

An alkalizing alternative to sodium bicarbonate for those with high blood pressure or on a sodium restricted diet is potassium bicarbonate.


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