Circulation problems happen when your body's blood flow is impaired, causing cold hands and feet, cramped or swollen legs, tingly fingers and more. Circulation problems can be due to behavior, such as sitting in one place or position for long periods of time, obesity and other medical conditions. When your blood cannot flow normally, serious health complications can arise. There are natural remedies to keep your blood flowing freely through your body.
Reflexology
Learn or receive reflexology treatments to increase circulation throughout your body. The science of reflexology involves pressure on certain areas of your feet, hands and ears that correspond to all of your body parts.
Massage
Give a loved one a massage to increase circulation with a good massage oil, like organic sesame oil. Stimulate your circulation by massaging your own feet. Use your thumb and press a spot on your sole, making small, circular movements. Continue this until the whole bottom of your foot is covered. Repeat on your other foot.
Acupressure
Use acupressure to increase circulation to your hands, legs and feet. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture but hands and fingers are used instead of needles on the meridians or energy points of your body. Consult with your doctor first if you have other health problems.
Exercise
Walk each day, building up to 30 minutes daily. Walking is the best form of exercise, increasing circulation throughout your body. If you cannot walk for 30 minutes at one time, walk in increments of 10 minutes, three times daily.
Help heal your varicose veins by elevating your legs against a wall or a chair. Get a prescription for compression stockings from your doctor after getting fitted and wear them.
Herbal remedies
Drink green tea to naturally get your blood flowing. Take green tea extract in capsules if you do not like the taste of green tea. Green tea increases your circulation by improving the function of the endothelial cells, which line your blood vessels and help constricting and dilating them for an improved blood flow.
Brew ginger tea from freshly grated ginger root, found in the produce section of the grocery store or buy ginger tea bags from a health food store or online. Ginger is known to keep your body warm, stimulating your blood flow. Take ginger capsules between 75 mg to 2000 mg with meals.
Eat 1 tbsp. organic, virgin coconut oil daily in your food or straight to increase your circulation and prevent cold hands and feet. Eat more garlic in your food to keep your blood flowing easily.
If you are on your feet most of the day, take the herb called "butcher's broom" to get rid of the heavy feeling in your legs from poor circulation. Ginkgo biloba and motherwort are also known to increase circulation.
Place 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper in your socks to keep your feet toasty and warm in the winter cold. Cayenne pepper's main ingredient is capsaicin, which gives heat to this pepper and heat stimulates blood flow. Capsaicin, when taken internally, also reduces the amount of sticky platelets in your blood, reducing blood clots and improving blood flow.
Add 10 drops of rosemary essential oil to your bath water to stimulate circulation in your body. Mix one part rosemary oil to 25 parts sunflower or almond oil for a stimulating body massage. Use this same mixture on your scalp to stimulate circulation for your hair growth. Rosemary oil contains diosmetin, which strengthens your capillaries--tiny blood vessels throughout your circulatory system.
Warnings
Consult with your doctor before taking any herbs while pregnant or breastfeeding, or before giving them to young children.
Do not take any type of herb to increase your circulation if you take blood thinner drugs such as Warfarin (Coumadin).
Tags: your body, your blood, blood flow, increase circulation, keep your, your circulation, your feet