Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common condition of blood clot formation in lower part of thigh or legs. The blood clot (thrombus) poses a serious health risk when a broken part of the thrombus reaches the pulmonary circulation system or the heart. This can easily lead to pulmonary embolism – a condition in which the thrombus rests on the pulmonary artery of the lung.
Blood clots could be caused by anything that prevents the blood from clotting properly or circulating normally. 
Causes of Deep Vein Thrombosis
DVT is most common in people over age 60. However, it may occur at any age. Blood clots can form when something changes or slows the flow of blood in the veins. Some common risk factors include:
- Family history of blood clots;
- A pacemaker catheter which has been passed throughout the vein into the groin;
- Fractures in the legs or pelvis;
- Sitting in one position or bed rest for too long (as plane travel);
- Obesity;
- Pregnancy;
- Giving birth within the last six months;
- Having a long-term catheter in your blood vessel;
- Recent surgery (knee, hip, or pelvic surgery),
- Polycythemia Vera (too many blood cells being created by the bone marrow, causing the blood to be much thicker than usual)
Blood is more likely to clot in people who has some problems or disorders, such as:
- Ailments that make it more prone to develop blood clots
- Cancer
- Cigarette smoking
- Certain autoimmune disorders, as lupus
- Taking birth control pills or estrogens (a risk that is even higher with smoking)
Sitting for long periods when traveling may increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis. This is even most likely if you have one or more of the above-listed risk factors.
Deep venous thrombosis symptoms
The symptoms of deep vein thrombosis are associated with the obstacle of blood returning to the heart and triggering a backup of blood in the leg. Typically, symptoms include:
- Swelling
- Pain
- Redness, and
- Warmth
However, not all of these symptoms have to appear. One, all, or even none can be present with a DVT. The symptoms might mimic a cellulitis or infection of the leg.
Natural Treatment for Deep Vein Thrombosis
Home remedies can help prevent DVT without major side effects. But, there are numerous irrelevant online health blogs with suspicious information about natural remedies that cannot actually help you prevent or treat deep vein thrombosis. For that reason, in the last few weeks, Your Health Tubers, as healthcare professionals and bloggers, worked on finding some relevant evidence about certain natural remedies and their effectiveness of treating DVT. Therefore, we prepared the following list based on clinical trials over safety and efficacy of these natural remedies and supplements.
Here are the best, proven natural remedies for deep vein thrombosis.
- Ginger
Ginger plays an amazing role in treating DVT. Its antiplatelet activity shows to be a boon for people who suffer from deep vein thrombosis. Moreover, it’s effective in breaking down fibrin which causes the disease. Ginger can boost blood circulation in veins as well as arteries. You can consume ginger root tea 3-4 times a day, or use ginger in preparing meals in order to prevent and treat DVT.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another potent natural remedy. As a traditional remedy, it has been credited with healing everything from the cold to warts. However, many of its supposed health benefits are unproven, but scientists found enough evidence that supports the treatment of deep vein thrombosis. Organic apple cider vinegar can increase blood flow and improve circulation, therefore, it can reduce clotting as well as swelling and pain. Simply dissolve 1-2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. Consume it twice a day.
- Japanese Green Tea
Some green teas contain coumarin. It’s a nice smelling, a natural compound found in certain plants. Coumarin has been used as both an ingredient in perfume and a food additive because of its aromatic and sweet smell. This compound has several chemical derivatives, which could be found naturally or synthesized in the laboratory. Coumarin derivatives are potent vitamin K antagonists, which means that they get their anticoagulant effects by interfering with the role vitamin K plays in the formation of a clot. Vitamin K antagonists are excellent in preventing both venous and arterial clots.
Common green tea, in general, has low levels of coumarin. But, there are some specialty cultivars of Japanese green tea that have been found to contain a high content of coumarin when the leaves are still in the fresh state. Once dried and processed, these leaves have lower concentrations of coumarin. However, if you cannot find loose leaf tea leaves, you can drink green tea 3-4 times a day in order to feel the benefits.
- Gingko Biloba
Gingko Biloba can increase blood flow through dilation of blood vessels. Flavonoids, the active agents in gingko Biloba, can protect blood vessels, heart muscles, retina, and nerves. Therefore, it treats numerous diseases and disorders linked to poor blood circulation as heart disease and brain disorders, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and balding. Besides, this plant has incredible antioxidant properties, which prevent damage by free radicals.
- Garlic
If you read our articles, you already know some of the greatest benefits of garlic that we’ve mentioned many times. Three compounds in garlic (adenosine, paraffinic sulfide, and allicin) are thought to have potent antiplatelet properties. There are some data on its great effect on preventing thrombus. But, you need to be careful, especially if you use garlic supplements along with a prescription anticoagulant because it can play a role in increased bleeding. We recommend you to include more fresh garlic in your daily meals.
- Cayenne pepper
It is an eminent natural blood thinner. Cayenne pepper normalizes blood pressure and supports blood circulation in the body. Capsaicin, the active agent in cayenne pepper, can reduce triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the blood. It can prevent platelet aggregation and thus, help the body in dissolving fibrin that is crucial in the blood clot formation. Cayenne pepper can also stimulate the central nervous system and improve the functioning of the heart. Therefore, it has been traditionally used as a powerful remedy for some cardiovascular diseases (read more about cardiovascular disease natural treatments here). Regular use of cayenne pepper strengthens your heart. In order to relieve pain, you can apply cayenne pepper directly on the affected area.
- Dried Fruits
Dried fruits (as well as some fresh fruits) that contain salicylates can mimic some anti-platelet effects of aspirin. Salicylates are compounds found in a large number of over-the-counter medications and foods. They include the compound acetylsalicylic acid, which is an active ingredient in aspirin. You can consume different kinds of dried fruits, however, slightly higher amounts of salicylates can be found in cranberries, cherries, blueberries, oranges, grapes, nectarine, tangerines, and strawberries.
- Dark Chocolate
Chocolate (cocoa) has been proven to have numerous health benefits and one of them is to prevent blood clots. Dark chocolate (containing at least 75% cocoa) has been found to affect platelet aggregation, while milk and white chocolate didn’t show such platelet effects. It’s assumed that the flavonoids found in cocoa are accountable for the inhibitory effect of chocolate. In addition to dark chocolate and cocoa, flavonoids are also found in tea, grapes, and red wine. How many flavonoids (or chocolate) would need to be consumed to possibly obtain a protective effect is still unclear. However, one major research looking at casual consumption of dark chocolate found that eating a bar of dark chocolate (75% cocoa) can still achieve an antiplatelet effect and provide as much protection as taking an aspirin.
- Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil contains fibrinolytic and antiplatelet properties which help treat deep vein thrombosis. This oil can prevent arterial blood clots and help in dissolving clots, potentially both venous and arterial. Fish oil also helps reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure. You can take fish oil in a supplement form with consultation with your GP.
Other powerful sources of omega-3 fatty acids are fatty fish, such as salmon, canned sardines, mackerel, anchovies, lake trout, and herring. Consume these fish regularly (2-3 times a week) in order to prevent and treat DVT. Plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids are canola oil, walnuts, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds (find more about the luxurious health benefits of these seeds: LINK).
Note: An American Heart Association scientific statement says that there is little evidence to show that a daily intake of fewer than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids can cause excessive bleeding. Though, fish oil when taken with prescription antiplatelet or anticoagulants drugs (as aspirin) can increase bleeding time; hence, caution may be necessary by the person taking these medications to avoid clinically significant bleeding.
- Vitamin E-rich Foods
Vitamin E contains anticoagulant and antiplatelet properties that can prevent blood clots. In accordance to a 2007 study reported in the Circulation journal, vitamin E supplementation can reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism and people with a prior history or genetic predisposition can particularly benefit.
Consume vitamin E-rich foods like almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, avocado, olive oil, corn oil, shrimps, peanuts, asparagus, broccoli, and spinach. You can also use Vitamin E in a supplement form, but first, you need to consult with your healthcare professional.
Homeopathic Treatments for Deep Vein Thrombosis
Here are some effective homeopathic treatments for deep vein thrombosis with key symptoms:
- Arnica Montana – in case the condition is caused by an inner injury. If Arnica doesn’t work well for use you will be advised to use the Bellis Perennis;
- Stannum Metallicum – is an excellent remedy when the person gets relief by bending just one leg (it can be affected or non-affected leg);
- Bellis Perennis – a recommendable remedy in case of or after pregnancy;
- Cactus and Crataegus – for people with high blood pressure;
- Lachesis – if the patient’s tongue is trembling, then a single dose of this remedy will be helpful;
- Aceticum Acidum – in case the patient has a history of heavy use of sour foods and vinegar;
- Secale Cornutum – if the patient feels irritation in the legs (with heat sensation inside and cold outside); Agaricus Muscarius – in case of vice versa,
- Calcarea Fluorica – works great in case of Vitamin K deficiency.
Besides the above-stated remedies, Natrum Mur, Hamamelis, Sulfur, Sulphuric Acid, Sonia, Collon, and Pulsatilla are also the useful treatments and can be used in accordance with the patient’s symptoms.
Note: If you decide to use homeopathic treatments for DVT, you need to consult a naturopathic doctor who will recommend some of the above-mentioned remedies adequate for your health condition.
Prevention
In order to prevent deep vein thrombosis, here are some preventive measures that you can do:
- Stretch your feet and legs while you are sitting in order to keep blood moving steadily in the calves. When you sit, avoid crossing the legs as this may limit blood flow.
- Avoid wearing tight clothes because they can restrict blood flow.
- Get regular exercise – it lowers the risk of blood clots, which is especially significant for people who have to travel frequently or sit a lot.
- If you are traveling a long distance by car, you should stop every hour or so, so you can walk around a little bit. While traveling on a bus or plane, try to walk or simply stand occasionally in the aisle.
- If you are overweight, you need to take some necessary steps in order to lose weight.
- Strive to keep your cholesterol levels and blood pressure under control.
- Quit smoking because it can have a harmful effect on the arteries.
- Avoid foods high in vitamin K, because it will affect how prescribed medications are working.
- Avoid alcohol because it contributes to dehydration. You should avoid it completely or limit alcohol consumption to one serving per day.
- Don’t forget to take the prescribed medicines as directed by your GP.
- Get regular medical check-ups so your GP can assess your health condition.
When to Visit Your Doctor
The diagnosis of a deep or superficial thrombosis usually relies on the clinical skill of the doctor. The diagnostic test needs to be tailored to every situation.
Redness, swelling, and pain might be indicators of a blood clot and shouldn’t be ignored. Moreover, these symptoms might be due to other causes (for example, infection or cellulitis), but it can be difficult to make the diagnosis without visiting your doctor.
If there is associated shortness of breath or chest pain, additional concern exists that a pulmonary embolus might be the reason. Once again, seeking immediate medical help is appropriate.
Conclusion:
Deep vein thrombosis often goes away without any particular problem, but this condition may return. There are people who have long-term swelling and pain in the leg known as a post-phlebitic syndrome. People can also have pain and changes in their skin color. The DVT symptoms can occur right away or ytou may not develop them for one or sometimes more years afterward. Regular exercise and wearing compression stockings during and after this condition can help prevent this issue. Thrombus in the thigh is more prone to break off and go to the lungs (pulmonary embolus) than thrombus in the lower leg or some other parts of your body.
