Can You Take Echinacea While On Blood Thinners?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Herbal remedies such as ginseng, ginkgo, garlic, black cohosh, St. John’s wort, hawthorn, saw palmetto, and echinacea can

dilute

, intensify, or exacerbate the side effects of prescription heart drugs such as blood thinners and cholesterol-lowering statins, the report says.

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Does Echinacea interfere with blood thinners?


Echinacea might increase the breakdown and decrease the effectiveness of warfarin

(Coumadin). Decreasing the effectiveness of warfarin (Coumadin) might increase the risk of clotting. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin (Coumadin) might need to be changed.

Does Echinacea cause blood clots?

Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with ECHINACEA


Echinacea might increase the breakdown of warfarin and decrease how well warfarin works

. This might increase your risk of having a clot. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.

What supplements Cannot be taken with blood thinners?

  • Leafy greens. Leafy greens like kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts and lettuce contain high amounts of vitamin K. …
  • Green tea. …
  • Cranberry juice. …
  • Grapefruit. …
  • Alcohol.

Who Cannot take echinacea?

  • an autoimmune disorder (such as lupus)
  • multiple sclerosis.
  • human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
  • acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
  • tuberculosis.

Is echinacea an anticoagulant?

Bilberry can affect blood cells called platelets and may increase bleeding. Also known as red pepper, cayenne lowers levels of cholesterol in the blood, which can help to lower blood pressure. Cayenne may affect platelets, and an overdose can cause significant drop in body temperature.

Is echinacea compatible with warfarin?

warfarin echinacea

Echinacea

may increase the blood levels and effects of warfarin

. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

Does echinacea interfere with any medications?


No significant herb-drug interactions with echinacea have been reported

; adverse effects reported generally have been uncommon and minor, including abdominal upset, nausea, and dizziness.

What herbs interact with blood thinners?

  • Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone)
  • Dong quai.
  • Garlic.
  • Ginkgo biloba.
  • Ginseng.
  • Green tea.
  • St. John’s wort.
  • Vitamin E.

Can you take echinacea with aspirin?


No interactions

were found between Aspirin Low Strength and echinacea. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Can you drink coffee while taking blood thinners?

It was concluded that caffeine has the capacity to inhibit the metabolism of warfarin and enhance its plasma concentration and hence anticoagulant effects. Thus, patients should be advised

to limit the frequent use of caffeine-rich products

i.e. tea and coffee during warfarin therapy.

What can’t you do while on blood thinners?

Because you are taking a blood thinner, you should try not to hurt yourself and cause bleeding. You need to be careful when you use knives, scissors, razors, or any sharp object that can make you bleed. You also need to avoid activities and sports that could cause injury.

Swimming and walking are safe activities

.

What vitamins should be avoided when on eliquis?

OTC agents such as Chinese herbs, ginger,

gingko biloba

, herbal teas and turmeric can all potentially increase bleeding risk when combined with apixaban. Medications such as St. John’s wort may decrease the effectiveness of apixaban.

Is echinacea good for the heart?


High in antioxidants

. Echinacea plants are loaded with plant compounds that function as antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that help defend your cells against oxidative stress, a state that has been linked to chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and many others.

Does echinacea raise your heart rate?

Avoid coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, or other products that contain caffeine. Taking echinacea with caffeinated products can increase caffeine side effects such as headache,

increased heart rate

, and feeling jittery.

Is taking echinacea every day OK?

Adult. For general immune system stimulation, during colds, flu, upper respiratory tract infections, or bladder infections, take

echinacea 3 times a day until you feel better

, but not for more than 10 days. DO NOT take echinacea on an empty stomach.

Can you take zinc with blood thinners?

Iron , magnesium, and zinc may bind with

warfarin

, potentially decreasing their absorption and activity. People on warfarin therapy should take warfarin and iron/magnesium/zinc-containing products at least two hours apart.

What herbs should not be taken with warfarin?

Herbs: Do not take

garlic, ginger, ginseng, ginkgo, cannabis, dong quai

(Angelica sinesis), fenugreek, thyme, oregano, dried basil, alfa alfa with warfarin as these herbs when taken with warfarin increase the risk of bleeding.

Does echinacea cause low platelets?

Echinacea likely contributed to this

patient’s profound thrombocytopenia

and should be avoided in patients receiving etoposide and possibly other chemotherapeutic drugs that are CYP 3A4 substrates.

How much echinacea should you take?

Echinacea supplement manufacturers recommend various dosages, so check the label or ask your doctor to recommend how much echinacea you should take. Most dosages suggest

one or two capsules between two and four times per day for up to 10 days

.

Does chamomile interact with warfarin?

People taking warfarin to prevent blood clots

should stay away

from chamomile products, Canadian doctors caution.

Which conditions are the adverse effects of echinacea?

  • abdominal pain.
  • allergic reactions.
  • altered fertility.
  • diarrhea.
  • dizziness.
  • redness (topical use)
  • skin rash accompanying fever (topical use)
  • fever.

Can you take echinacea with Covid?

Verdict. Echinacea supplementation may assist with the symptoms of acute respiratory infections (ARI) and the common cold, particularly when administered at the first sign of infection; however,

no studies using Echinacea in the prevention or treatment of conditions similar to COVID-19 have been identified

.

Why is echinacea good for the immune system?

Extracts of echinacea do seem to have an effect on the immune system,

your body’s defense against germs

. Research shows it increases the number of white blood cells, which fight infections. A review of more than a dozen studies, published in 2014, found the herbal remedy had a very slight benefit in preventing colds.

What is the safest blood thinning medication?

Safer Blood-Thinning Drugs to Prevent Stroke

The newer medications are

Pradaxa (dabigatran)

, Xarelto (rivaroxaban), Eliquis (apixaban), and most recently Savaysa (edoxaban) — which work by preventing pooled blood in the heart from clotting. Unlike warfarin, the newer drugs are safer and easier for patients to use.

What can you not take with diltiazem?

  • anticonvulsants, such as fosphenytoin.
  • antifungal agents, such as itraconazole.
  • alfentanil.
  • amiodarone.
  • beta-blockers, such as atenolol, labetalol, or metoprolol.
  • buspirone.
  • benzodiazepines such as midazolam or triazolam.
  • carbamazepine.

What vitamins should not be taken with aspirin?

Taking aspirin has been associated with increased loss of

vitamin C

in urine and has been linked to depletion of vitamin C. People who take aspirin regularly should consider supplementing at least a few hundred milligrams of vitamin C per day. Such an amount is often found in a multivitamin .

Can you take vitamin D while on Eliquis?


No interactions were found

between Eliquis and Vitamin D3. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

What should you not take with Eliquis?

  • Aspirin or other products that contain aspirin.
  • Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil, Motrin and Aleve.
  • Any medicine that contains heparin such as Lovenox, Innohep or Fragmin.

Do blood thinners weaken your immune system?

A study led by researchers at the University of North Carolina indicates that a newly approved blood thinner that blocks a key component of the human blood clotting system may increase the

risk

and severity of certain viral infections, including flu and myocarditis, a viral infection of the heart and a significant …

Does zinc interfere with heart medications?


Do not take zinc supplements

if you take amiloride. Blood pressure medications, ACE Inhibitors — A class of medications called ACE inhibitors, used to treat high blood pressure, may decrease the levels of zinc in your blood.

What are the bad side effects of Eliquis?

  • Bleeding gums.
  • Chest pain or tightness.
  • Coughing up or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
  • Feeling dizzy or faint.
  • Headache.
  • Heavy vaginal bleeding.
  • Nosebleeds.
  • Rash.

Can you eat bananas on blood thinners?

So, go bananas! But be sure to eat

green bananas in normal portions

and make sure you keep testing your regular blood test to make sure your INR doesn’t drop below your target range.

Can you take vitamin D with blood thinners?


Vitamin D does not interact with your Coumadin

. Your INR level (blood thinning level) may be affected by many different things, including the amount of vitamin K in your diet or multivitamins. Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach or kale, and also can be found in some daily multivitamins.

How long should you be on blood thinners?

Clinical trials provide several recommendations for adults with blood clots. Adults with a first provoked blood clot should take blood thinners for

3-6 months

. Adults with a first unprovoked blood clot generally should take blood thinner for 6-12 months.

Can you take vitamins while on blood thinners?


Don’t take over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or supplements unless you check with your doctor first

. Your blood thinner may not work right with them. For example, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can make you bleed more. Even common products like Pepto-Bismol can cause bleeding.

What are the symptoms if your blood is too thin?

Other signs of thin blood include

nosebleeds and abnormally heavy menstrual flow

. Thin blood can also cause bruises to appear under the skin. A minor bump can cause the tiny blood vessels under the skin to bleed. This can result in purpura, which are small purple, red, or brown bruises.

Can you eat oranges while on blood thinners?

Grapefruit and other citrus fruits can interfere with how your body metabolizes these medications.

What can echinacea cure?

  • coughs and colds.
  • bronchitis.
  • upper respiratory infections.
  • gingivitis.
  • influenza.
  • canker sores.
  • yeast infections.
  • ear infections.

What herbs cause heart palpitations?

  • ginseng (ginseng root)
  • bitter orange (seville orange, sour orange, bigarade orange, marmalade orange, synephrine)
  • licorice (licorice root, glycyrrhizin)
  • caffeine (coffee beans, tea leaves, kola nuts, yerba mate, guarana berries, guayusa, yaupon holly)
  • alcohol.

Can you take echinacea with vitamin D?


No interactions

were found between echinacea and Vitamin D3. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.