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The quality of the blood — its ability to carry oxygen, resist infection, clot appropriately, and flow freely — is foundational to every aspect of health. In the western herbal tradition, "blood building" and "blood cleansing" have been central concepts for centuries, recognising that the composition and vitality of the blood shapes how every organ and tissue performs. Conditions such as anaemia, poor blood viscosity, and impaired clotting all have herbal approaches worth understanding. The articles in this section explore herbs that support healthy blood formation, iron status, and the overall quality of this most vital fluid.
Anti-Cancer
20 October 2017
Rudolf Breuss was an Austrian healer. Read our review of Rudolf Breuss' works and life as he worked to cure cancer with natural herbal medicines.
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Allergies
6 September 2017
For thousands of years the humble onion has had a respected and often revered place in the diet of man. Sacred to the Egyptians, it often appears in the art of ancient India, China and Greece, but it probably originated in Central Asia. The onion’s unique properties have ensured its constant popularity throughout the civilised […]
Read article →Blood conditions encompass a wide spectrum — from the common and easily addressed (iron deficiency anaemia) to the serious and medically complex (leukaemia, clotting disorders). The articles here focus on the conditions most responsive to herbal and nutritional support, always with appropriate medical caveats for more serious presentations.
Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) is one of the richest plant sources of bioavailable iron and is a classic herbal treatment for iron deficiency anaemia, particularly in women with heavy menstrual losses. Yellow dock root (Rumex crispus) contains iron and is a mild liver stimulant that improves iron absorption. Molasses (from blackstrap sugar cane) is a traditional food-medicine rich in iron, B vitamins, and copper. Vitamin C taken alongside iron-rich herbs significantly enhances absorption.
Anaemia of chronic disease results from inflammatory processes sequestering iron and suppressing erythropoiesis (red blood cell production). It requires treatment of the underlying inflammatory condition. Anti-inflammatory herbs — turmeric, boswellia, omega-3 fatty acids — that address the underlying inflammation can indirectly support improvement in this type of anaemia. Medical management is primary.
Nutrient-dense herbs that provide iron, folate, B12 precursors, and chlorophyll — nettle, alfalfa, spirulina, watercress, and parsley — support red blood cell formation. Liver-supportive herbs that ensure adequate B12 and folate metabolism — milk thistle, dandelion root — are also relevant. For megaloblastic anaemia from B12 or folate deficiency, supplementation is essential.
Several herbs have blood-thinning (anticoagulant or antiplatelet) properties: garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, turmeric, and vitamin E. These should be used with caution by anyone on pharmaceutical anticoagulants (warfarin, aspirin, heparin) or approaching surgery. On the other side, astringent and haemostatic herbs — yarrow, shepherd's purse, nettle — have mild blood-staunching properties used in herbal practice for excessive bleeding.
Immune-modulating herbs — astragalus, echinacea, medicinal mushrooms — can influence immune cell activity and may have relevance in some contexts of immune deficiency. However, abnormal white blood cell counts require medical investigation and management. Herbal support is adjunctive and should only be used with medical guidance.
Dark leafy greens (iron, folate, vitamin K), legumes (iron, folate), lean red meat and organ meats (iron, B12), citrus and berries (vitamin C for iron absorption), nuts and seeds (copper, zinc), and oily fish (omega-3 for blood viscosity and anti-inflammatory effects) collectively support blood health most comprehensively.
Blood health is woven through multiple lessons in our course — from cardiovascular physiology through to the immune system and nutritional medicine. View lesson packages and enrol today.