If you’ve lived with ITP for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard this phrase:
“Be careful — you don’t want to stimulate your immune system.”
I remember hearing this early in my own ITP journey — from doctors, from well-meaning friends, and even from people in the wellness world. At the time, it left me feeling stuck and afraid to try anything. I wanted healing, but I didn’t want to make things worse.
At first glance, that advice sounds wise. After all, ITP is an autoimmune condition. The immune system is attacking platelets. Why would we want to encourage it to do more? But here’s the truth I didn’t understand until much later — and wish someone had explained sooner:
Autoimmunity is not caused by an immune system that’s too strong.
It’s caused by an immune system that has lost regulation, tolerance, and has become overwhelmed with toxins.
Once I began to understand which immune cells were misfiring — and which ones actually help restore balance — my fear began to loosen its grip.
Which Immune Cells Are the Real Problem in ITP?
In ITP, the immune system tags platelets as dangerous and destroys them. The main players involved are:
🔥 Autoreactive T Cells (Especially Th1 and Th17)
- These are helper T cells that drive inflammation
- Th1 and Th17 dominance sends constant “attack” signals
- They encourage the immune system to stay in fight mode — even when no real threat exists
🧨 B Cells (Autoantibody Producers)
- B cells create antibodies
- In ITP, some of these antibodies mistakenly bind to platelets
- Once tagged, platelets are cleared out by the spleen and liver
🚨 Chronic Inflammatory Cytokines
- Signals like TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-17 keep the immune system on high alert
- This creates immune exhaustion, not healing
👉 So when ITP warriors fear ‘stimulating’ the immune system, what they’re really afraid of is further activating these inflammatory, autoreactive pathways.
That fear makes sense — but it’s only part of the story.
A Complementary Perspective from Eastern Medicine
One of the reasons I stopped being afraid of my immune system was learning how Eastern medicine understands autoimmune conditions like ITP.
Rather than viewing ITP as a broken or aggressive immune system, Eastern traditions often describe it as a terrain problem — a body overwhelmed by toxins, stagnation, or poor detoxification, leading to what might be described as “sick” or stressed platelets.
In this view, platelets aren’t being attacked at random. They are being flagged because they no longer appear healthy within an overloaded internal environment.
When the terrain is inflamed, toxic, or congested:
- Platelets may become damaged or altered
- The immune system responds to what looks “abnormal”
- Destruction becomes a downstream effect — not the root cause
The Immune Cells That Help Restore Balance
Not all immune activity is harmful in autoimmunity.
🌲 Natural Killer (NK) Cells: The Regulators
Research on forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) shows that time spent in nature:
- Increases Natural Killer (NK) cell activity
- Lowers cortisol and stress hormones
- Improves immune surveillance and regulation
NK cells are part of the innate immune system. Their job is to:
- Remove damaged or infected cells (including cancer cells)
- Help regulate immune responses
- Prevent immune chaos
NK cells do not cause autoimmunity.
They help keep the immune system from spiraling into confusion.
They help keep the immune system from spiraling into confusion.
This is why practices like gentle movement, prayer, rest, laughter, essential oils, and time in nature don’t “rev up” autoimmunity — they help retrain the immune system.
Why the Word “Immune Stimulation” Creates So Much Fear
The phrase immune boosting has done a lot of damage in autoimmune spaces.
ITP warriors don’t need:
- ❌ Immune activation
- ❌ Immune boosting
- ❌ More inflammatory signaling
They do need:
- ✅ Immune modulation
- ✅ Immune tolerance
- ✅ Nervous system calming
- ✅ Reduced inflammatory load
Think less gas pedal and more steering wheel and brakes.
Supporting the Immune System Without Fueling Autoimmunity
This shift — from fear to understanding — changed everything for me. My platelet recovery wasn’t about suppressing my body into silence. It was about reducing confusion, calming inflammation, and giving my immune system the right environment to relearn balance.
In my own healing journey and in my work with ITP warriors, the focus is always on restoring regulation — not suppression and not reckless stimulation.
🌿 Gentle, Regulatory Supports
- Supporting gut integrity (where immune education begins)
- Supporting liver detox pathways (to reduce immune confusion)
- Ensuring mineral sufficiency (magnesium, zinc, etc — when appropriate)
- Reducing toxin exposure
🧠 Calming the Nervous System (This Is Huge)
Chronic stress directly pushes inflammatory immune pathways.
Prayer, breathwork, slow walks, essential oils, and stillness aren’t “extra.”
They are foundational to immune healing.
They are foundational to immune healing.
Where Essential Oils Fit In
Essential oils became one of my favorite tools along the way — not because they were a magic fix, but because they supported something I was missing for a long time: a calm, regulated nervous system.
When the body is constantly stressed, inflamed, or in survival mode, the immune system follows suit.
One reason I love essential oils for autoimmune warriors is that many of them:
- Support nervous system balance
- Encourage parasympathetic (rest-and-repair) signaling
- Gently support immune communication without forcing stimulation
Oils such as Frankincense, Lavender, Copaiba, Blue Tansy, and Citrus oils can support calm, inflammation balance, and emotional resilience — all of which influence immune behavior.
Used appropriately, essential oils don’t shout at the immune system.
They whisper safety.
They whisper safety.
And when the body feels safe, healing becomes possible.
A Reframe for Every ITP Warrior
One of the most healing mindset shifts I made was realizing this:
My immune system was never my enemy.
It was trying to protect me — it was just receiving bad information and living in a constant state of alarm.
Your immune system is not your enemy.
It is:
- Overworked
- Misinformed
- Stuck in survival mode
Healing isn’t about silencing it into submission.
It’s about restoring leadership, communication, and trust.
Want Support on This Journey?
If you’re an ITP warrior who feels confused by conflicting advice, fearful of doing the “wrong” thing, or overwhelmed by all the noise around immune health — I understand. I’ve lived it.
Today, I help other ITP warriors explore gentle, faith-rooted, and science-informed ways to support immune regulation, reduce inflammation, and rebuild trust with their bodies.
✨ If you’d like to learn more, I’ve also created an ITP Guide for warriors who want clear, compassionate education on traditional and natural approaches to healing — without fear or overwhelm.
Whether you’re just diagnosed or years into your journey, the guide walks through immune balance, nutrition, toxins, stress, and supportive tools I wish I’d understood sooner.
You can explore the guide, learn about essential oil support, or reach out if you’d like to work together to help your immune system find its way back to balance. I’d love to connect.
Healing is possible — and it doesn’t require fear
Why I Believe Remission from ITP Is Possible: My Healing Manifesto of Faith and Hope
If you’re living with ITP and wondering if healing is even possible, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too—scared, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn. But today, I stand on the other side of that valley, in remission, with a message burning in my heart:
Healing is possible.
Not just symptom relief. Not just temporary remission. True, deep, life-changing healing.
Not just symptom relief. Not just temporary remission. True, deep, life-changing healing.
This is my personal healing manifesto—what I believe, what I’ve lived, and what I want you to know as you search for answers and hope.
I Believe the Body Was Made to Heal
Even when lab reports look grim, I believe your body is not broken—it’s communicating. Low platelets don’t mean your immune system has failed. It means it’s asking for help, for restoration, for a chance to reset.
I learned to stop fighting my body and started listening to it.
I Believe in Root-Cause Healing, Not Just Immune Suppression
Most conventional ITP treatment plans focus on suppressing the immune system. And while there may be moments where that’s necessary, I don’t believe that’s the only—or best—way.
I believe in working with the immune system:
- Removing toxic triggers
- Supporting the gut and liver
- Reducing inflammation
- Nourishing the body through anti-inflammatory foods and essential nutrients
For me, this meant combining natural therapies, nutrition, and lifestyle changes grounded in faith and intention.
I Believe in the Power of Faith
I didn’t walk this healing path alone. God was with me every step, guiding me to the right information, the right support, and the right mindset shift.
Healing from ITP is physical—but it’s also spiritual and emotional.
Fear and hopelessness are heavy burdens. But when we give those to God, we create space for peace, clarity, and healing to begin.
Fear and hopelessness are heavy burdens. But when we give those to God, we create space for peace, clarity, and healing to begin.
I Believe Words Matter
What we say over our bodies matters. For a long time, I repeated what I’d been told—“I’m sick. I have an incurable autoimmune disease.” But eventually, I started speaking life instead.
Now I say:
🟣 “I’m healed.”
🟣 “My body is resilient.”
🟣 “I serve a God who still heals.”
🟣 “I’m healed.”
🟣 “My body is resilient.”
🟣 “I serve a God who still heals.”
I Believe Remission Is Real
Not just for me. For you. For others.
I’m not a doctor, but I’m someone who’s lived this and walked into remission with God’s help and a natural healing plan that supported my body instead of suppressing it.
I’m not a doctor, but I’m someone who’s lived this and walked into remission with God’s help and a natural healing plan that supported my body instead of suppressing it.
My story isn’t the exception—it’s a reminder that there is hope.
You Are Not Alone
If you’ve just been diagnosed, if you’re feeling discouraged, or if you’re searching late into the night for anything that offers real answers—know this:
✨ You are not alone.
✨ You are not broken.
✨ There is hope.
✨ And healing is possible.
✨ You are not broken.
✨ There is hope.
✨ And healing is possible.
Want Support on Your Healing Journey?
I created a guide for those newly diagnosed with ITP (or feeling stuck in fear) that walks through natural and faith-filled approaches to support your platelets, reduce inflammation, and care for your whole body.
👉 [Download the ITP Guide here]
👉 [Download the ITP Guide here]
Or explore more blog posts on:
- [My favorite immune supporting food for ITP]
- [Reducing toxins that affect platelets]
- [Faith, mindset, and autoimmune healing]
You are deeply loved. Your body is capable. And your healing journey matters.
Looking for Natural Ways to Increase Platelets with ITP?
If you’ve been diagnosed with ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenia), a common question is: “What supplements can I take to increase my platelet count naturally?”
As someone who has personally experienced ITP remission and supported many others on this journey, I want to start with this foundational truth:
Supplements Should Not Be Your First Step.
It’s tempting to try a new pill or powder in hopes of a quick platelet boost. But long-term healing starts with lifestyle. Supplements are most effective when combined with:
- Nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory foods
- Reducing chronic inflammation
- Supporting gut and liver detox pathways
- Removing hidden toxins in your home
- Managing emotional and physical stress
These are the pillars that helped me achieve long lasting remission—and they can support you, too.
Best Supplements for ITP and Immune System Health
Here are some top supplements that may support people with ITP and low platelet counts. Always consult with your healthcare provider before adding anything new to your routine.
☀️ Vitamin D for ITP
- Benefits: Supports immune balance and platelet production.
- Check: Have your vitamin D levels tested. Aim for 50–80 ng/mL.
- Note: It’s fat-soluble, so don’t overdo it without supervision.
💪 Vitamin C to Strengthen Platelets
- Benefits: Boosts immunity and helps maintain healthy blood vessels.
- Sources: Citrus fruits, bell peppers, kiwi, or 500–1000 mg/day supplements.
- Watch out: Too much may cause digestive upset.
🧠 B12 & Folate (Methylated B Vitamins)
- Benefits: Crucial for DNA repair, red blood cell formation, and immune function.
- Tip: Look for methylcobalamin and methylfolate.
🧬 Zinc for Immune Function
- Benefits: Short-term support for the immune system and wound healing.
- Dosage: 15–30 mg/day.
- Caution: Prolonged use may lower copper levels.
🥬 Iron (Only If Deficient)
- Benefits: Helps with energy if you have low ferritin or anemia.
- Important: Supplement only with confirmed deficiency.
🧪 Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil)
- Benefits: Lowers inflammation and supports immune health.
- Caution: Can thin the blood at high doses—check with your doctor. Tip - try adding foods that contain Omega-3 if you are concerned about taking a separate supplement.
🌿 Chinese Herbal Remedies for ITP
- Why consider them: Under the guidance of a trained practitioner, they can support immune regulation & platelet health.
- Personal note: Chinese herbs were a vital part of my healing path to remission. I've included a link at the end if you'd like more information on this topic.
Goji Berries (Wolfberries)
- Why consider them: Research suggests that the polysaccharides in goji berries (Lycium barbarum), often called LBP, may help support platelet health. In a mouse model of ITP, these polysaccharides were shown to increase platelet counts and reduce oxidative stress — which is meaningful because oxidative damage can worsen platelet destruction in ITP. Beyond platelet support, goji berries also have immunomodulatory benefits: they appear to help balance immune activity by influencing cytokines and boosting certain immune-cell functions.
- Personal note: I've been using goji berries (both dried berries and pureed in juice form) for over ten years. They are a part of my daily wellness routine and have helped me support my immune system, as I don't have a spleen.
To read more about how I use goji berries in my daily wellness routine (and why I include them in my 14 Day Reset), check out my article on wolfberries and platelet health.
Supplements to Avoid with ITP or Use with Caution
Some herbs and natural remedies can interfere with platelet function or increase bleeding risk. Be cautious with the following:
🌿 Turmeric / Curcumin
- Why be cautious: Mixed evidence—some studies suggest it supports healthy platelets, others indicate it may impair platelet function. You may want to check out the research and decide for yourself.
🌿 Ginkgo Biloba
- Why be cautious: May increase bleeding risk.
🌿 White Willow Bark
- Why avoid it: Acts similarly to aspirin; generally not safe for those with ITP.
Final Thoughts: Lifestyle First, Supplements Second
If you're navigating ITP, remember: You don’t have to figure everything out overnight. You are not behind. You are right on time for your healing journey.
Supplements can help, but they aren’t the whole story. Your best chance at remission and lasting health comes from rebuilding the foundations—nutrition, detox, rest, emotional peace, and spiritual strength.
You’ve got this. Healing is possible.
💬 Get More Support on Your ITP Journey
Join my free Facebook group: Platelets, Plants, and Prayers — a supportive community for people with ITP looking for natural healing.
Explore helpful resources created with you in mind:
- ✅ ITP Guide that outlines my entire healing process: ITP GUIDE
- ✅ Chinese Herbal Medicine for ITP: Chinese Herbs as a Treatment for ITP
- ✅ Meal Planning Masterclass: Autoimmune Meal Planning Made Easy
Keep learning. Keep believing. Healing is possible.
