Natural "Cures" for Thalassemia

Intermedia has always been a somewhat arbitrary classification, with its definition changing, depending on who you ask. Probably the most commonly accepted definition was that if the patient doesn't transfuse regularly as a child, and has two beta gene mutations, the classification is intermedia. Because of the many different mutations and multiple possible combinations of these genes, any classification will cover a broad range of conditions.

Unfortunately, we are not yet quite to the point where we can say intermedia or major by the combination of mutations present. Right now we mainly have these few classifications of thal to work with, but in the near future, as more people have DNA tests and their genes are cataloged, we will see computer programs that will predict the type and severity of the thalassemia and also be used to design specific treatments for patients from birth.  How low the Hb will drop will be predicted by the combination of genes involved, including any other modifying genes. The computer program to catalog these mutations and predict accordingly already exists. What is needed now is a major effort to catalog all the different gene variations involved in the group of blood disorders all lumped together under the name, thalassemia.

We've often heard claims that there are healers and clinics that make the claim that they can cure thalassemia. These "cures" are usually found in the form of herbal mixtures, homeopathic remedies or through the use of some supplements. We most commonly hear these claims from countries such as Pakistan and India, where medical care is often lacking and people are desperate for anything that might help battle thal. Unfortunately, this leads to a proliferation of frauds, fakes and charlatans. There are many true herbalists and homeopaths, but there are also many fakes and it is left to the patients to determine who knows their craft and who are frauds. When we choose medical care we normally hope to have some information about the doctors, etc. or the clinics or hospitals where they will be treated. When we see these claims online there is often no easy way to check on the reliability of those offering help. When looking for a doctor we might ask a friend or relative to refer you to someone but how do we find out about these "healers" who advertise their businesses on the internet? This seems especially difficult because these healers never seem to be able to present patients who have been cured of anything. They often use privacy issues as an excuse, but I have yet to meet any thal who wouldn't be shouting it from the rooftops if he or she had been cured. Wouldn't we be hearing about this in the news and even in the online forums?

Over the past few years I have heard from several different individuals and groups that claimed they could cure thal. I have yet to have any of them present a single cured patient. I don't doubt that some of these places offer something that may improve the quality of life and maybe even raise fetal hemoglobin levels some, but I also feel that if any of them were curing thals we would have heard about it. In fact, these people would be rolling in money if they had such a cure in their hands.

I would like to ask anyone who has any experience, positive or negative with healers who claim to be able to help or even cure thalassemia, to post and tell us their experiences. Has anyone found anything that improves the quality of their life  or raised their hemoglobin levels or have been able to reduce or totally eliminate transfusions. Does anyone know anything about these clinics we've heard about in posts here recently or any other clinics where they have made claims about treating thal?

There do appear to be some food products and supplements that can raise Hb levels somewhat, wheatgrass being the most known example, and there may be many others we have yet to identify. I'd like to encourage people to post any experience they have had related to this, whether using some supplement or natural medicine or being treated at any of these natural clinics. Anything you can tell us may be of help to many others. This group has so much potential as long as people are willing to share their own experiences. Let's do that!

Here's a new one!

Last night I was attending a wedding in the family. (Boy! is it a season of weddings or what? It's the third one in the last few months with one still left next month!!)

Anyway, I was chatting with my relatives when one guy came up to us and asked one of my relatives if there's something wrong with me? We looked at each other with amazement that how he figured that out as I don't have any bone deformation etc. (Could have been the skin color?!?). Anyhow! he told us about a herb and said to make a pickle out of it and then use it. I said to myself ("Yeah, yeah, been there; done that") but it really amazed me how he walked up to tell us about it. He must be some Herb-specialist.
hey dear what does he told , which herb he told you to make pickle?

I'll first have to find the name of that herb in English and search for it's contents and properties on the Web before I pop it into my pickle jar!

Something tells me Herb>pickle>sour>Vitamin C=increased Iron absorption from herb (Maybe, I'm being too much skeptic!)

Take care, Peace!