HEALING TIPS FOR SICKLE CELL ANEMIA PATIENTS
Prof. Gilbert Ezengige
TIGER NUTS (CYPERUS ESCULENTUS)
Eating it as a snack or blending it into milk supports red blood cell function. It is rich in magnesium, potassium and arginine, the later promotes nitric oxide which is a vasodilator (blood vessel dilator) needed during vaso-occlusive crises.
BITTER LEAF (VERNONIA AMYGDALINA)
This plant has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hematinic (blood-building) properties. Try using little juice extract regularly to help reduce frequency of crises. Also enjoy bitter leaf soup regularly 😊.
PALM KERNEL OIL
Consider applying it to the skin and/ or consume in small amounts with your food. Because it is rich in lauric acid and antioxidants, it improves blood viscosity (helps your blood moves smoothly) and supports immune modulation.
ZANTHOXYLUM ZANTHOXYLOIDES (FAGARA)
This popular chew sticks known as Fagara root or as Orinata in Yoruba possesses anti-sickling properties. It helps your red blood cells stay round and flexible. Even if you can’t prepare it as a decoction, perhaps because you are not a trained botanical medicine practitioner, at least you can use it as your chew sticks frequently.
PAWPAW LEAF EXTRACT
Take a little of the juice. Research shows that pawpaw leaves increase platelet and hemoglobin count aside from protecting the liver (important for SCA patients with frequent transfusions or iron overload).
TROPICAL ALMOND (TERMINALIA CATAPPA)
The yellow leaves of this plant (just before they fall) popularly called “fruit tree” or Umbrella tree in Nigeria promotes blood production, prevents sickled-shaped red blood cells from forming and help revert them to normal shape. The leaves also help to fight oxidative stress, body damage from too many harmful particles called free radicals. This is a major issue in SCA that damages cells. The plant is also rich in useful phytochemicals and has analgesic action.
SORGHUM BICOLOR LEAF SHEATH EXTRACT (POROPORO)
The leaf sheath extract reduces frequency of sickling and improves the integrity of red blood cells. You may take an herbal preparation of it.
Other helpful drinks include ZOBO (sweetened with date) and KUNU.
Expose yourself to MODERATE SUNSHINE daily during the day. At night and in cold weather try to KEEP WARM since scientific studies have established that vasoconstriction due to cold triggers crises in many SCA individuals.
As much as possible, TRY SLEEPING ON THE LEFT SIDE as it improves blood flow to the heart, spleen, liver and stomach. It reduces the chances of nocturnal hypoxia (low oxygen in your blood during sleep) which can trigger sickle cell crises.
Please note that herbal/ nutritional remedies are best prescribed by naturopathic physicians and clinical herbalists. When in doubt, contact a licensed natural health practitioner.
