Several herbs and plants, such as aloe vera and lemongrass, may help alleviate symptoms of sickle cell anemia. However, further research is still needed to understand the exact effects.
Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to change shape and become inflexible. These “sickled” cells can stick to the walls of blood vessels, resulting in an inadequate supply of red blood cells to deliver oxygen throughout the body.
People with sickle cell experience bouts of severe pain. They might also experience sickle cell anemia, as sickle cells only last about 10 to 20 days , while nonsickle red blood cells last 90 to 120 days. The low number of red blood cells can cause severe fatigue.
While several pharmaceutical treatments exist for sickle cell, herbal remedies have also been used for a long time. They are typically studied for their antisickling effect, which prevents red blood cells from changing shape.
However, research into the effectiveness of herbal remedies for sickle cell anemia is limited. Further research is still needed to understand whether they’re a viable treatment option.
Learn more about which herbs may be beneficial for sickle cell anemia and what the research says.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera has been used topically and internally for various conditions. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) states that there’s evidence that the gel can ease acne and improve burn healing.
A 2021 research review found that aloe vera extract might help to prevent sickling of cells and decrease vaso-occlusive and pain crisis episodes.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Lemongrass is one of many herbal remedies used to manage sickle cell disease. A 2023 eastern Ugandan study of the use of herbal treatments to manage sickle cell identified lemongrass as one remedy with a long history of use.
A 2015 study found that drinking lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) tea daily for 1 month increased red blood cell counts. The study did not focus on sickle cell anemia specifically or on people living with the condition.
Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)
Pigeon peas are a legume commonly consumed as food. They have a history of being used to prevent or reduce red blood cell sickling and have been used as a treatment for anemia.
A study published in 2017 identified two specific molecules in the stem of the Cajanus cajan plant that have anti-sickling properties. The study noted prior reports of anti-sickling effects from the total pigeon pea plant and the use of seed extracts for its benefits in treating sickle cell disease.
Garlic
Garlic is often studied for its effectiveness in helping with heart and blood health. There’s some evidence that it might reduce high cholesterol and lower blood pressure.
A 2021 review notes that garlic may be effective in treating sickle cell anemia, as it can prevent the growth of dense cells due to its antioxidant effects. The review also mentions that garlic can result in side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and facial flushing.
Other treatment options
There are several prescription treatment options to help prevent cell sickling and reduce pain or vaso-occlusive crises. These include:
- hydroxyurea (Hydrea, Droxia) and voxelotor (Oxbryta) to reduce sickling
- L-glutamine (Endari) to reduce the number of pain crises
- crizanlizumab-tmca (Adakveo) to prevent vaso-occlusive crises where blood flow is blocked
In addition to medications, blood transfusions are an option to help with pain crises or as an ongoing treatment to manage symptoms of sickle cell disease. A blood and bone marrow transplant can cure the condition in some people.
In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two new genetic therapies for people with sickle cell disease. These therapies, Casgevy and Lyfgenia, are made from a person’s own blood stem cells, which are genetically modified and given back to the person through an infusion.
When to speak with a doctor
If you experience side effects while taking an herbal remedy, it can be helpful to speak with a doctor.
People who live with sickle cell disease should have regular follow-up visits with a doctor, as frequently as every 3 to 12 months, depending on individual health factors and the type of sickle cell disease they have.
It can also be beneficial to have a pain crisis management plan in place. If you cannot manage the pain of a crisis with home treatment, consider going to a day hospital or emergency department.
Takeaway
Treating sickle cell disease with herbs and plant remedies has a long history.
There’s some evidence that backs up the potential benefits of some of these herbs, specifically their ability to prevent sickling and increase red blood cell count. However, further research is still needed to understand the exact effectiveness.
Other treatments for sickle cell disease include anti-sickling medications and new genetic therapies.
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