Anaemia is an extremely common condition and it can take many forms, the most common being iron deficiency anaemia. Whatever the type, the first symptom to be experienced is generally fatigue. Even the slightest exertion can lead to exhaustion, breathlessness and a variety of other debilitating ailments, including frequent headaches and inability to keep warm. The longer term effects can be far more serious, as a continuing deficiency of dietary iron has the effect of reducing the red cell count, and this in time can lead to circulatory problems in any of the organs.

Iron supplements and certain vitamins that are important in iron utilisation are often prescribed to try to overcome the deficiency, and sometimes iron injections are offered, but this approach does not tackle the problem at its roots, even causing more problems such as constipation.  Furthermore, iron overdose can itself create a whole new range of dangerous conditions, including liver, pancreas and heart problems, diabetes, arthritis and cancers.

It is sometimes believed that vegetarians are more susceptible to iron deficiency but in fact there is an abundance of fruits and vegetables that are rich in the mineral, including beetroot, chickpeas, brown rice, green leafy vegetables, black grapes, nuts and seeds.

However, all the nutrients in the world will be totally ineffective if for some reason they are unable to reach the cells. The first priority in the Ayurvedic treatment of anaemia is a careful assessment of the organs involved, as every case is different. A failure to process foods completely will be the underlying issue, but poor absorption can be a result of a problem, for example, in the liver or the colon, or it can be due to a deficiency of digestive enzymes in the stomach. Sometimes parasites can be an issue, or there can be an inflammatory gut condition such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Whatever the cause, repeated failure to absorb minerals will lead to a gradual decline in the strength of all the body’s systems. Impoverished blood cannot deliver oxygen efficiently so there will be permanent damage to tissues.

Thorough detoxification is an absolute priority and Ayurveda’s Panchakarma provides the most comprehensive set of tools for this purpose. Following this a rejuvenation program utilising herbal decoctions will help to restore normal function. There will as always be careful attention to the individual dietary regime, particularly if unsuitable diet is seen to be a factor. Yoga ‘asanas’ might also be suggested as a means of helping the body into a state of equilibrium and restoring circulation.