Anemia is defined as having insufficient red blood cells or below-normal amounts of hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen. The manufacturing plant for red blood cells in the body is the bone marrow, and if body does not have adequate iron stores, then not enough hemoglobin will be produced.

Increasing iron intake and other necessary nutrients required for red blood cell production will reduce the severity of the condition. The most important nutrients besides iron are vitamin B12 and folic acid. Also important are vitamin C, riboflavin and copper.

Iron pills commonly contain ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate or ferrous gluconate. Ferrous gluconate is the recommended form of iron to take as a supplement, a highly bio-available form of iron that is well absorbed by the body. Vitamin B12, vitamin C and folic acid, when taken along with an iron supplement, will help iron to be better absorbed by the body. Such a combination will certainly help the body quickly make new red blood cells.

Besides vitamin supplements, there are certain herbs that are high in iron or are known for their blood-building ability. These herbs can be taken alone, or in combination with an iron supplement, but please consult your doctor before replacing the supplements he or she recommended.

? Pau DArco bark (also called Taheebo) is an herb from the Amazon rainforest, and it has the ability to rebuild red blood cells in 30 days. It is a blood purifier and blood builder that aids the liver and endocrine glands.

? Nettle, also called stinging nettle, is well known by herbalists as being rich in iron. It is in the same league with spinach and watercress, which also have a high iron content.

? Kelp contains one of the highest sources of iron available from the plant kingdom. Included in this category would be other algae such as spirulina, chlorella, dulse and sea lettuce. Norwegian kelp is reputed to be the best quality kelp because it is harvested from the cold, pristine waters of the North Atlantic. Kelp has high amounts of iron and other minerals, but it is highest in iodine and is commonly used to strengthen the thyroid and regulate metabolism. This is a very nutrient-dense food containing vitamins, major minerals and trace minerals needed for good health.

? Dandelion leaves contain only modest amounts of iron, but this herb has value because it also helps the body absorb iron from foods or supplements. So dandelion is best taken with an iron supplement or other herb which contains larger amounts of iron, such as spinach or nettles.

? Yellow Dock root has an iron content that might not be as high as nettles or kelp, but it is well absorbed by the body and can raise blood iron levels. This herb acts like a tonic on the liver and cleanses the blood, which makes it a good choice to take with an iron supplement.

? White peony root is an herb used in Chinese medicine to treat anemia. Also known as bai shao, this herb targets the spleen and strengthens the blood and overall energy of the body.

? Red Beet Root is the name herbologists have given to the fresh beets that can be found in the produce department of your local supermarket. Physicians in ancient Greece used beet root to treat anemia, so it is an old time-tested remedy. The iron found in beets is noted for being of high quality and easily assimilated. Beet juice is a blood builder and purifier, beneficial to the spleen and liver. Herbalists have long noted its efficient ability to build red corpuscles, even after other blood forming remedies have failed. It has been shown to work well for people who have suffered from blood loss and were not able or willing to accept a transfusion.

You can drink the beet juice by itself or mix it 50:50 with carrot juice, since carrot juice has also been shown to help anemia. If for some reason you cant obtain beet juice, eating beets will also work, though not as well.

? Red Clover flowers and burdock root are blood purifiers, and these herbs are useful to take while also taking iron supplements or other iron-rich herbs. They help the body to more efficiently absorb iron obtained from the diet.

? Thyme is an herb and seasoning with a high iron content but it has a strong flavor, so only small amounts can be consumed unless the herb is encapsulated and swallowed in pill form. Using the herb to season foods whenever possible is a tasty way to increase ones iron intake. Parsley, cumin, curry powder and cinnamon also contain notable amounts of iron but not as much as thyme.