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Ask The Expert » Warfarin
Question:
Could you advise me about interaction of warfarin and essential oils? Very little has been written about this and working as an aromatherapist I would like to be kept up to date with developments.
Reply:
'Warfarin is the generic name for anti coagulant drugs the most common branded drug being Coumadin from BMS.
Coumarin is confused with Coumadin and so begins a trail of loose information. Warfarin (Coumadine) does include a coumarin in its structure or if you prefer, formula. However the characteristics and behaviour of a molecule depends upon its shape and size and within Warfarin the coumarin present compared to the natural coumarins found in some essential oils is quite different. Both Coumadin and Warfarin are anticoagulants - coumarin in itself is not. The size and shape of coumarin is more like the so called vitamin K which is a coagulant and found in all green vegetables etc. Being like is not the same so coumarin in essential oil is not an antidote to warfarin either.
Some therapist subscribe to what we may call homeostatic intelligence which roughly means the body takes what it wants and discards what it does not. Massive dose drug therapy interferes with this natural balance. Accordingly coumarin has been advanced as an adaptogen due to the size and shape of the molecule helping to restore natural balance.
This is the best I can do for you and i hope it clarifies some of the confusion. In other words a small amount of coumarin containing essential oil applied as a lotion or used in massage is not going to interfere with blood thinning agents. However as mentioned some natural components will such as vitamins C, E and K.
You will find up to date information regarding your query in this publication: The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple by David Stewart. ISBN no. 0-934426-99-6.'