Are circulatory issues plaguing your life?
If poor circulation is an issue, you need to take steps to improve it before it becomes serious and affects the heart.
Symptoms of poor circulation are often easy to spot. They include muscle cramping, constant foot pain or pain and throbbing in the arms and legs. Poor circulation also shows up as consatnt fatigue, varicose veins, and digestive issues.
Getting leg cramps while walking and wounds that don’t seem to heal in your legs, feet, and toes are also symptoms or poor circulation. Cognitive dysfunction such as confusion or memory loss can happen because of a lack of blood and oxygen to the brain.
You may experience tingling or numbness, swelling and heaviness in the extremities (fingers, hands, arms, legs and feet).
Poor circulation can even lead to gangrene (death of body tissue) in the extremities which can potentially lead to amputation in severe cases.
There are several herbs that have been traditionally used to improve circulation in the body. however getting a clear diagnosis from a medical professional is very important.
Some of the best herbs for improving circulation in the body include:
Ginkgo Biloba
This herb is known for its ability to improve circulation to the legs and feet, as well as to the brain. It may also help to reduce the risk of blood clots.
It’s also been used to improve symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition in which the blood vessels in the legs are narrowed, making it harder for blood to flow through.
Horse Chestnut
This herb is often used to reduce improve circulation in the legs and reduce the symptoms of varicose veins. It contains a compound called aescin, which is believed to strengthen blood vessels and reduce inflammation.
Horse chestnut can also reduce swelling and inflammation in the legs and improve the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that occurs when the valves in the veins of the legs that are responsible for returning blood to the heart are not working properly
Ginger
This herb has been used for centuries to improve circulation and reduce inflammation. It is believed to work by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow.
It has been traditionally used to improve symptoms of Raynaud’s disease, a condition that causes the blood vessels in the fingers and toes to constrict and reduce blood flow to these areas.
Garlic
Garlic is a natural blood thinner and has been traditionally used to improve circulation.
It is believed to work by preventing platelets from clumping together, which can help to reduce the risk of blood clots. Garlic may also lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin which is known to dilate blood vessels, increase blood flow, and lower blood pressure.
This can help to reduce the symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD) which is a condition characterized by narrowing of the blood vessels in the legs which can cause pain and cramping.
Hawthorn
Hawthorne has traditionally been used for heart issues by herbalists for many years.
It protects against heart disease, controls high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Animal and human studies suggest that it increases coronary artery blood flow, improves circulation and lowers blood pressure.
It is important to note that while these herbs may offer benefits for circulation, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional before using them, especially if you are taking any medications or have any underlying health conditions.
This article was first published in the Herbal Collective February issue, an online magazine.
