A blood clot is a basic physiological defense mechanism that occurs in all vertebrates to prevent blood loss following vascular injury. In all species the basic mechanism of clot formation is similar; when endothelium is damaged a complex sequence of enzymatic reactions occurs that is localized to the site of trauma and involves both activated cells and plasma proteins. The reaction sequence is initiated by the expression of tissue factor on the surface of activated cells and results in the generation of thrombin, the most important enzyme in blood clot formation. Thrombin converts soluble fibrinogen, via soluble fibrin monomers, into the insoluble fibrin that forms the matrix of a blood clot as well as exerting positive-feedback regulation that effectively promotes additional thrombin generation that facilitates the rapid development of a thrombus.

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Natural Supplements and Blood Clots
Certain supplements have blood thinning potential and should be considered by doctors as a way to reduce the risk for blood clots. These natural supplements include:

Fish oils thin the blood and have many other benefits
Garlic could be helpful
Ginger is a very healthy herb to eat daily and has mild anti platelet activity along with the ability to break down fibrin.
Ginkgo biloba herbal extract
Nattokinase enzyme has fibrinolytic activity. You can find Nattokinase here. Only use nattokinase under medical supervision.
EGCG, the extract from green tea, may prevent platelet aggregation almost as potently as aspirin
Vitamin E may reduce the risk of blood clots in women. Supplementation with vitamin E may reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism in women, and those with a prior history or genetic predisposition may particularly benefit.
Chamomile herb is mild
Onion
N acetylcysteine has anticoagulant and platelet-inhibiting properties.
     This is a partial list.

Air Travel and Blood Clots
Cramped conditions on aircraft can increase the odds of developing potentially fatal blood clots but other factors may be involved. Low pressure and low oxygen levels in aircraft may also contribute in some people to the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT, often called "economy class syndrome," usually develops in the legs and can be fatal if the clot dislodges and moves to the brain or lungs. Activation of coagulation (clotting) occurs in some individuals after an 8-hour flight, indicating an additional mechanism to immobilization underlying air travel related to thrombosis. Concentrations of clotting markers are higher in people after a long flight than they are after sitting in the cinema for the same time or doing daily activities, particularly in patients who had other risk factors for DVT. Travelers to avoid taking sedatives or drinking too much alcohol during flights to reduce the risk of DVT. Compressive stockings that improve blood flow could also help.
   The chances of developing a blood clot or deep vein thrombosis double after traveling for four hours or more. Tall people whose legs are jammed in economy class and the very short whose feet do not touch the ground are particularly vulnerable to potentially dangerous blood clots linked to immobility during travel.
    The risk of getting a blood clot while sitting in a cramped airline seat is about one in 4000 people. The risk of a blood clot increases as people make more flights within a short time -- especially long-haul flights. People aged under 30, women who use birth control pills and people who are particularly short, tall or overweight have a higher risk.

Blood clots after hospital discharge
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is more common in the first few weeks following hospital discharge than during the hospital stay itself.

Blood Clot in Heart
A blood clot in a coronary artery supplying blood to heart tissue leads to a condition known as myocardial infarction or heart attack. 

Blood clot in leg
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot (thrombus) that develops in a deep vein, usually in the leg. This can happen if the vein is damaged or if the flow of blood slows down or stops. Deep vein thrombosis can cause pain in the leg, and can lead to complications if it breaks off and travels in the bloodstream to the lungs.

Blood clot in lung
When a blood clot travels to the lung, a patient may have no blood clot symptoms, or may complain of sharp chest pain, rapid heart rate, blood-tinged coughing, shortness of breath and low grade fever. Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition that requires hospital admission.

Oral and patch contraceptives and blood clot
Women who use a contraceptive patch appear to be more likely to develop a dangerous blood clot in their veins as those who use an oral contraceptive. For more information on birth control pills.

Blood Clot Drugs
Plavix is commonly used to prevent blood clots, but is aspirin a cheaper way to prevent a blood clot? Is Plavix being used by doctors mostly because of a major marketing push?

Blood clot questions
Q.  I am taking 12.5 mg of warfarin daily because I have recurring blood clots. I cannot get my INR into a therapeutic range ( 2 to 3) . It is presently at 1.2 and fluctuates between 1.2 and 1.6 on average. However, at times it has shot to 4.6. Too much info I know, but finally to my question, Do you know if black licorice might be my problem? I eat natural black licorice frequently but not daily. I never thought about it, but my husband mentioned it this morning.
   A. We did a Medline search in December 2007 and could not find any mention of any studies regarding the influence of black licorice on clotting factors. It is possible that certain herbs influence blood clotting but we don't know the effect of black licorice. One way to tell, if your doctor approves, is to stop the black licorice for a period of time, check the INR, and then resume the black licorice consumption and test the INR again.

Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder.