ITP Herbs

ITP is the medical abbreviation for Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura. Idiopathic is medical speak for "we don't know why this happened." Thrombocytopenia is a shortage of platelets in the blood and may be caused by an autoimmune disorder that destroys the platelets, or by the body's inability to make sufficient amounts of platelets. Purpura denotes the skin splotches caused by bruising under the skin. Chinese Medicine has made some progress treating this condition with herbs.

ITP Study

• A very small study appeared in the 1995 edition of the Journal of Chinese Medicine regarding the treatment of ITP with a decoction, or tea, of mixed herbs. Of the 10 patients in the study, six patients showed a marked improvement in blood platelet counts and all hemorrhaging stopped. One additional patient showed some improvement, and the remaining three dropped out of the study. The major ingredient in the tea was bupleurum, commonly known as saiko, or hare's ear root. The plant has anti-inflammatory and hemolytic properties.

  Additional herbs in the tea include panex ginseng, dang shen, skullcap, licorice, jujube, horsetail, vervain and foxglove.

Horsetail

• Horsetail has been used to stop hemorrhaging since ancient times.

  According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, horsetail has been used since ancient times to stop hemorrhaging and heal ulcers and wounds, although the efficacy for that treatment has not been scientifically proven. Individuals who have kidney or heart disorders, diabetes or gout should consult a qualified health care professional before using horsetail, and pregnant or nursing women should avoid it.

Vervain

• Vervain, also known as blue poppy or verbenae, has astringent and hepatic properties. The plant is used to stimulate labor contractions, increase milk flow, and stimulate the liver. The plant also is used to decrease painful and irregular menstrual periods and as a uterine tonic. Vervain is contraindicated in pregnancy.

Foxglove

• Foxglove has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine as a treatment for bleeding.

  Foxglove, or rehnammia, is well-known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a tonic bone mender, and tissue regenerator, according to the Chinese-herbs.org. Foxglove has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties and has been used to purify the blood. The astringent properties of foxglove are effective for relieving anemia and reducing both internal and external bleeding.

False Daisy

• False Daisy, also known as Yerba de Tajo, Eclipta or bhringaraj in India, is used in traditional Chinese medicine to stop hemorrhaging, especially hemorrhaging following a rattlesnake bite. False Daisy has anti-inflammation properties that can assist with primary ITP when it is caused by an autoimmune response.

Congongrass

• Congongrass, or imperata cylindrical, also is known as alang-alang and considered number seven in the list of the 10 worst weeds in world. However, this plant has significant medicinal value. The plant has styptic properties and the flowers are used to stop hemorrhages according to the Plants for a Future website.