Herbal Supplements and Blood Thinners: What You Need to Know

When you take herbal supplements, natural products used to support health, often without a prescription. Also known as dietary supplements, they’re popular for everything from boosting energy to reducing inflammation. But if you’re on a blood thinner, a medication that prevents dangerous clots from forming in your blood. Also known as anticoagulants, these drugs require careful management, mixing them with herbs can be risky—sometimes deadly.

Some herbal supplements, natural products used to support health, often without a prescription. Also known as dietary supplements, they’re popular for everything from boosting energy to reducing inflammation like garlic, ginger, ginkgo, and St. John’s wort can thin your blood even more than your prescription. Others, like ginseng or green tea extract, might make your blood thinner less effective. It’s not guesswork—it’s science. A 2020 study in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics found that over 40% of people on warfarin who took ginkgo had abnormal bleeding times. And most of them didn’t even tell their doctor.

It’s not just about what you take—it’s about timing, dosage, and your health history. Someone with atrial fibrillation needs different caution than someone recovering from knee surgery. If you’re on Eliquis, Xarelto, or warfarin, don’t assume "natural" means "safe." Your pharmacist isn’t just there to fill prescriptions—they’re your best line of defense against dangerous combos. Ask them: "Does this supplement interfere with my blood thinner?" and "Is there a safer alternative?"

You’ll find real stories here—what people actually experienced when they mixed herbs with anticoagulants, what worked, what didn’t, and how they adjusted. We cover specific herbs linked to interactions, how to spot early signs of bleeding or clotting, and what questions to ask your doctor before starting anything new. No fluff. Just facts you can use to protect your health.