Well, briefly starting off topic I am thinking of taking a prostate supplement that includes stinging nettle root. In checking any contra-indications re my AF and Flecainide and in particular that it does not increase the risk of a blood clot I read 'Nettle or stinging nettle possesses anticoagulant or blood thinning property'. Although no doubt not too significant, there could be a double benefit here for AFers not on anti-coags. Anybody had experience with nettle root?
Blood clotting & Stinging Nettle root - Atrial Fibrillati...
Blood clotting & Stinging Nettle root
As has been stated so many times by eminent doctors , there is no natural anticoagulant which is relaible enough to use for stroke prevention in AF . Oh wait isn't warfarin naturally occurring?
If one were on warfarin then if the decision was taken to start on some herbal product for any purpose then an INR test a few days or a week after starting will see if it is affecting INR and may need dose adjustment. Regarding DOACS is may be best to discuss with you pharmacist regarding contra indications. .
Do they say this because there have actually been any trials done on natural anticogulants head to head with the approved ones ? I very much doubt it as the overwhelming bulk of trials are financed by industry and they are hardly going to pay for a non patentable natural substance to be trialled when a possible result showing equivalence or even superiority would leave them seiously out of pocket. There have been trials done in Japan on nattokinase showing that it has strong anticoagulant properties and even clot busting properties. I doubt Western medics are even aware of them.