Herbal Remedies

Herbs have been used in all cultures throughout history. It is a major and long standing component of Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine . Naturapaths also use herbs.

Pharmaceutical companies often isolate the active ingredients in herbs, patent them, and market the drugs. For example, Vincristine, a chemotherapy agent used to treat some chronic cases of ITP is derived from the rosy periwinkle. This plant is a poison and used by the tribes in the Amazon to place on the tips of their arrows to kill prey.

In general, herbs taken whole often have fewer side effects than the isolated active ingredients extracted from them. Herbs have been successfully used by some with ITP. Here are some herbs that have been reported to help ITP:

Amrit Kalash and MA631

These herb mixtures are marketed by the Maharishi Ayur-Ved company. They are strong anti-oxidants and immune system modulators. They can be ordered from the company at 1-800-ALL-VEDA or http://www.mapi.com. Read Joan's story for a personal account of their success.  

"I sent away for the Ambrosia nectar, Ambrosia pill and MA 631. I take E 400, sesame and I was taking 1500mg of vitamin C but I was told to stop taking the vitamin C when I started the Amrit. I started taking the Amrit about four weeks ago when my platelet count was 27,000 and now it is 58,000. Needless to say my doctor is both shocked and excited. He said this week 'your count is 58,000 keep taking your herbal concoction'." Cherie bears@miweb.com

Maharishi Ayur-Ved is filming a documentary/infomercial on Amrit.  Click for photos.

Chinese Herbs

Chinese medicine practitioners may divide ITP patients into several groups such as those with Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, Blood heat and Qi deficiency.  Herbs are prescribed based on the particular type of ITP.  See http://www.itmonline.org/arts/itp.htm for an overview of the types of Chinese herbs that may be used and journal references.

Muicle Plant

According to Shar this herb is widely used in Mexico to treat blood disorders. She and others have had great success with it. An English translation is Jacobinia. You can order this herb from Tico's Health Food Shop, 720 St. Michael's Dr., St. E, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87505, (505) 474-0304 or other herbal supply sources.

"I DRANK THE TEA FOR 15 DAYS AND MY COUNT WENT UP FROM 82,000,TO 100,000" Shar

Herbal Mixture

Dr. Ba X. Hoang, trained in Russia, has successfully treated many ITP patients with herbs. His mixture is now being tested by the Phytopharm company in the UK.  An article outlining some positive clinical results of the herbal mixture in children can be found HERE. Also read Leonor's Story.

For more information go to www.getwellinternational.com.

"After drinking two cups a day and four of the pills my platelets increased by 10,000 even after I started to wean myself off the prednisone. In May 1999 my platelets are at 70,000. My last prednisone was June2. Now on July 1999 I'm at 258,000." Leonor

Kami-kihi-to

An account of the positive effects of Kami-kihi-to (Jia-Wei-Gui-Pi-Tang) in ITP is in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine (Vol. XXI, Nos 3-4, pp. 251-255. Abstract.

"Hello my name is David Kim. My father (a medical doctor) was diagnosed with ITP approximately 4 years ago. He has been through numerous types of treatments. From oral medication to a splenectomy. I just wanted to drop a quick message that he has been on an herbal tea type of medicine for 6 months and his platelet count has been stable (in the 140,000 range).

He was having difficulty getting the ingredients translated from English to Chinese but had this done and sent it to his brother in Korea to have it made. If anyone is interested in obtaining a copy of the ingredients in Chinese, please let me know.

Incidentally, he originally had it made in the States but the tea did not work. Apparently many Chinese herbal shops will substitue ingredients if they do not have the required items. Only until he had it made directly from Korea did he get the correct medicine. Therefore, even though one might have the ingredients, there is the issue of having the item made."

Minor Decoction of Bupleurum

Some impressive results from the People's Hospital of Langfang City in China...

Duan Yu, et al: Treatment of Primary Thrombocytopenic Purpora by Modified Minor Decoction of Bupleurum, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 15 (2): 96-98, 1995.

Replenishing Qi and Tonifying Kidney

A study on the effects of some Chinese herbal compounds on children...

Shi Yu-min, Wu Qing-shong, et al. Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Children Treated wtih Replenishing Qi and Tonifying Kidney and the Changes in Thrombocyte Aggregate Function, Chin J Integr Med 11 (1), 1991.

Shan Dong

Peter reports that his ITP was improved by making a soup using Shan Dong, HOKOU CAKE, (Asses's Glue). The Cantonese pronounce it "aw gow". The scientific names of the ingredients are: Colla Corii Asini, Liquorice Root, and Rhizoma Cyperi. It can be bought in any Chinese Herb Store but it is also distributed by Herba Enterprise Inc.in San Francisco, CA 94103 and Brooklyn, NY 11232 and is a product of China. You can read Peter's story on the Short Stories page.

For general herbal information you can contact The American Botanical Council or the Herb Research Foundation.