ITP and Astragalus

[JENNIFER COATSStudent]

My sweet sister has been diagnosed with ITP  for those who don’t know it is Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) -may occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks platelets.  When her platelets get low it can be pretty bad, in some people they’ll start bleeding from mouth, skin etc. during child birth it was literally by the Grace of God she made it. When her platelets get low the first thing they give her is steroids..which make her swell up and feel terrible … next if there’s any available, they give her a platelet or IGIV / plasma  infusion. (Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) is <b>a therapy treatment for patients with antibody deficiencies-</b><b>It is prepared from a pool of immunoglobulins (antibodies) from the plasma of thousands of healthy donors. Immunoglobulins are made by the immune system of healthy people for the purpose of fighting infections.) </b> Sister said she needs an anti inflammatory that doesn’t thin blood.

Reading through the Immune System and Lymphatics IV : The Plants section

In regards to Astragalus the short answer is it “stimulates the infection-fighting aspects of the immune system without aggravating the inflammatory conditions of the autoimmune problems.”

Do you think it would be a good treatment for ITP? If so would it be something taken daily or during a flare up/ sickness onset?  Does Astragalus thin the blood . What would be good to combine with it to boost platelets ?

[Michelle KochStudent]

I don’t know anything about this condition, but I know that Shepherd’s Purse is a styptic that works by stimulating the production of clotting factor.  Your sister should run it by her physician, as I don’t know the contraindications, especially since she is currently receiving treatments.  (donated plasma also contains clotting factors)

1 user thanked author for this post.

Heidi

[JENNIFER COATSStudentTopic Author]

Thanks Michelle

[JENNIFER COATSStudentTopic Author]

Bump

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

I don’t know that Astragalus would be curative. ITP is an autoimmune disease (sometimes) and though Astragalus doesn’t aggravate them, it doesn’t necessarily resolve them either.

The problem with a bleeding disorder like that is that if we don’t resolve it with herbs, it may be a life-threatening situation. I’d stick with medications on something like that to minimize risk.

Have a look at the Immune System III lesson on Allergies and Autoimmune Disease too. It could be that some of strategies there could be helpful but I wouldn’t discontinue any meds without careful consideration with the attending physician on the case.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Heidi

[JENNIFER COATSStudentTopic Author]

Thanks Doc. She did take the prescribed meds (although a much lower dose) and got her Platelets bak well over 100k and is feeling much better. Thank you for responding and for the recommendations. I truly appreciate you! I will go through the recommended lessons again and more lol)

[Author]

Posts