Natural Iron Supplements:

If a little is good, a lot is not better. . . especially with iron supplements.

I have been seeing literally GOBS of clients with iron deficiency lately. I can see it in their faces as they sit across from me with that tell-tale characteristic tan mark around their cheeks and chin indicating iron deficient anemia lately. I don’t quite understand why, but it certainly goes with extreme exhaustion. Possibly they are eating too much white sugar which interferes with iron absorption. Most of these clients have not visited their doctor’s office yet to get iron pills, but I know their red cell counts are down just by looking at hazy yellowish-tinged chin.   

Most recently I’ve heard women say, “I tried to donate blood, but was turned away because they said I was anemic.” Most every woman was kind of taken back by being told that, but most all of them did feel run down and not up to their usual speed of accomplishing several tasks at one time.  

It’s my job to help the person supplement their diet so they don’t have to take those iron pills which can be harmful on the system.  Iron supplement overdose symptoms are associated with stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, black stools, lethargy, weakness, collapse, weak/rapid heartbeats, shallow breathing, convulsions and coma. Try getting those symptoms from eating parsley and taking a teaspoon of blackstrap molasses every now and then. 

Blackstrap molasses and parsley are so much safer than the iron pills.  I don’t believe anyone can overdose on parsley, but if you take too much molasses you can get black tarry stools. A safe preventative dose is one teaspoon per day as an adult. For children ages 7-13 years, give 1 teaspoon up to three times a week. Both parsley and blackstrap molasses are packed with minerals (including those trace minerals we need).  

Iron overload is linked to some cancers, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and endocrine dysfunction. It is easy to overload when taking iron pills. It is much safer sticking to natural food sources for iron. Other foods high in iron include: cherries, prunes, leafy greens, poultry liver, legumes (peas/beans/lentils), eggs, fish and whole grains. If you crave these foods, it may be an indication that you are low on iron.    

Herbs high in iron include: alfalfa, bilberry, burdock, catnip, yellow dock root, watercress, sarsaparilla (in root beer) and nettles.  I think your safest bets are nettles (also for itchy skin disease and low calcium), catnip (also good for sleep disorders), burdock (also a good liver cleanser), and alfalfa (a bit over used—I see some allergic reactions with this.)  

One formula I send lots of my clients out to get at their local health food store is Floradix Iron Supplement, and herbal tincture very high in natural iron. Depending on how many people will be using the bottle, purchase small bottles of this product, use it regularly until gone and remember to refrigerate it once you open it as it can age quickly and is a good medium to grow mold.  To read more about Floradix, go to: http://www.florahealth.com/flora/home/usa/products/r64771.asp

Page Last Edited 07/10/08