The cardiovascular system is made up of the heart, blood, and blood vessels. The heart is a muscular sac that pumps blood into the circulatory system of the body. Blood consists of a fluid (plasma, and three types of blood cells: red, white, and platelets).

There are three types of blood vessels: arteries, veins, capillaries.

Arteries:
Arteries transport oxygenated blood from the heart to the tissues of the body.
Veins:
Veins return blood, containing waste products from the body tissues, to the heart.
Capillaries:
Capillaries link arteries and veins; they have thin walls that allow nutrients and waste materials in the blood to pass through them.

WHAT CAN GO WRONG

Many systemic disorders that effect the whole body are carried through the blood.
There are many disorders of the blood itself, the most common being Anemia, in which there is a lack of red blood cells that carry oxygen.

The blood may also be infected by bacteria causing septicemia or bacterial endocardites (infection of the membrane lining of the heart) or it may carry viruses around the body such as mononucleosis and measles. There can be parasitic blood-borne infections such as malaria. The cells in the blood may be affected by cancerous changes, resulting in leukemia.

Some blood disorders are genetic; they include hemophilia (in which the clotting factor is absent).
Blood vessels can be damaged by degenerative diseases such as arteriosclerosis, in which fatty deposits block small vessels, this is a primary factor in high blood pressure, stroke, heart attacks and peripheral arterial disease.

The health of the circulatory system depends on proper diet, proper breathing, exercise, and a healthy mental attitude.

The process of purifying the blood can improve almost any illness and is a basic factor in increasing vitality (example, often a simple headache is caused by toxins in the blood)

Adjustments to the diet is recommend especially if one smokes or drinks alcohol. Advice on exercise and reducing stress levels are also fundamental components in dealing with circulatory disorders.

If good health is to be maintained, blood must be of a good quality and consistency and unrestricted flow through the vessels.

ANEMIA

SYMPTOMS
In women, heavy menstrual flow pallor, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, depression, slow healing, loss of sex drive, bruising, brittle nails, nervousness, shortness of breath and palpitations.

WHO GETS ANEMIA
Most often effected are the elderly, children, those who eat narrow simple diets, pregnant women (due to the increased need for nutrition especially iron and other minerals, in the developing fetus).

CAUSES
Two main causes are excessive bleeding, and malnutrition. Other causes include hemorrhoids, ulcers, diveticular disease, liver damage, infections, thyroid problems, surgery, heavy menstrual flow.

Anemia which is tissue deprived of oxygen is caused by a reduction of circulating red blood cells or by an inadequate amount of protein     hemoglobin in the blood. There are over 400 forms of anemia that have been identified.

The first area to concentrate would be diet, Iron, Vitamin B-complex and folic acid would be very important.
Great care and diet would be needed to counterbalance this.

FOODS TO EAT
Unrefined vegetables and legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds provide abundant protein, coper, and the b-vitamins needed for iron absorption. Raw or lightly steamed greens (contains folic acid), fish, eggs (use eggs sparingly) bitter almonds, apricots, prunes, grapes, miso, wheat, sunflower seeds and spirulena (b-12). Foods rich in iron, egg yolks, fish, blackstrap molasses, dark green vegetables: asparagus, cabbage, broccoli, parsley, celery, kale, cucumber leek, watercress, dried fruit, berries, beets, carrots, yams, beans, grains and grape juice. To improve blood quality: sauteed radish leaves, chiso leaves and miso soup.

FOODS TO AVOID
All dairy products, coffee and black tea colas (caffeine inhibits iron absorption, and the acids in decaffeinated drinks can also be a problem). Drink lots of citrus juices.

Antacid will decrease Iron absorption. Aspirin and may other drugs will increase bleeding and can cause anemia.

HERBS TO TREAT ANEMIA
Amla-One of the most effective tonics for anemia made with fresh gooseberries take !/2 to 1 tsp. each morning followed by warm water or herb tea.
Blackberry and raspberry fruits and their juice (good blood tonic)
Grapes (for blood deficiency)
Huckleberry
Teas made from Dandelion, Comfrey, yellowdock, raspberry and fenugreek
Gentian in a tea or in a liquid extract is used highly in Europe to treat nutritional based ailments including anemia.
Parsley and nettle are iron rich. Research suggest Asian ginseng (panax ginseng) is useful to counter act anemia induced fatigue.
Dong Quai is another Asian herb used for thousands of years as a blood tonic, for patients with white complexion the remedy would be a mixture of ginseng and astragalus (astragalus is an immune building enhancing herb, very nutritious to the immune system)
Herbs rich in nutrients to help build up the blood are alfalfa (Do not take if one has lupus, as Alfalfa will aggravate lupus), Burdock, Dong Quai, Golden seal, Kelp, Pau D' Arco, Red Raspberry, Slippery Elm.

VITAMINS AND MINERAL  SUPPLEMENTS
Vitamin A take as directed
Vitamin B-complex (50 mg 3 times daily)
Vitamin b-6 (3 mg daily)
Vitamin B-12 (4mcg to 1 mg daily)
Vitamin C (500 mg per day increases hemoglobin and production)
calcium (800 mg per day)
copper (3 to 5 mg per day or 1 mg per every 10 to 15 mg of zinc)
Folic Acid (400 mcg   to 5 mg daily)
Iron Chelate or ferrous gluconate (25 mg per day) Taking caution as to much iron in system can be harmful.

Chlorophyll and Blue Green Algae are rich in Iron and builds blood, they also include Amino Acids, Vitamins and minerals.
 

All information here in found in:
Alternatives in Healing By Simon mills MA and Steven J. Finando, Ph.D.,
Encyclopedia of natural Remedies By Louise Tenny M. H.
The Alternative Advisor By Time Life
Natural Prescriptions By Robert M giller MD and Kathy Matthews
The complete Guide To Natural Healing By Tom Monte