Medicinal plants for bad circulation in the feet

Herbal treatment of poor circulation in the feet

Phytotherapy: Medicinal plants preparations for bad circulation in the feet

Medicinal plants used for the treatment of poor circulation in the feet are generally the same as those used for poor circulation in general (see remedies for poor circulation).

However, we can focus on those plants that are especially useful for the specific treatment of poor circulation in the feet.

Main herbal remedies for poor circulation in the feet

We can point out the following medicinal plants:

• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba): It has been shown how the use of extracts from this plant can improve one of the most painful and limiting circulatory diseases of the legs and feet that usually appear among the elderly: intermittent claudication. (The usual dose is estimated at about 120 mg per day divided into three doses)
• Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) The safest way to take this product is through a standard complement of aescine that can be found in pharmacies and herbalists. Usual doses are usually about 500 mg daily in the morning) (Liquid can be used resulting from the decoction of the crust.A teaspoon per glass of water.Take a couple of cups a day)
• Witch hazel : (Hamamelis virginiana) Massages made with witch hazel water can help decrease leg and feet pain and prevent the occurrence of diseases caused by poor venous return or poor circulation. This treatment will alleviate pain, decrease swelling and be able to prevent the occurrence of diseases of poor circulation in the lower extremities such as varicose veins or phlebitis.

  

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SUPPLEMENTS FOR BAD CIRCULATION IN THE  FEET

Vitamins and minerals and other supplements for poor circulation in the feet

• Vitamin E: This vitamin is suitable for those with poor circulation in the legs and feet (For improvement, initial doses of 200 IU daily are recommended and increased to 400 or 500 IU)
• Niacin (Vitamin B3): Niacin produces a relaxation of blood vessels which increases their elasticity and improves circulation. The administration of niacin supplements is interesting in diseases that are caused by poor circulation, such as poor circulation in the legs, feet or poor circulation in the hands. (1500 mg of inositol hexaniacinate divided into 3 daily doses)
• Cayenne Pepper Cream: With cayenne pepper, rich in capsaicin, creams are made which externally applied on the legs or feet can improve circulation.
• Artichoke extract: Its main virtue lies in the ability of its acids to reduce blood cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and also to prevent atherosclerosis
• Evening Primrose Oil: Evening primrose oil reduces cholesterol and makes the blood flowing, which improves circulation in general, including the feet.

Other natural resources to treat poor circulation in the feet

The following remedies help blood flow better to the feet:

• Performing massages on the legs, feet and calves: Massages on legs and feet favor circulation in the legs and feet. It is important that these are performed by a professional masseuse.
• Make foot baths with hot and cold water: Bathing your feet with warm water and immediately applying cold water helps improve circulation in the legs and feet.

Hot water draws blood to the outside of the blood vessels of the lower limbs. (Hence the skin turns red) The cold water sends the blood back in. In this way a movement is produced that favors the blood circulation.

When the contrast in hot water and cold water is greater, the greater the efficiency of the bath. However be careful not to burn. It is also important to get accustomed to the body gradually to this temperature difference.

• Removing socks and shoes when arriving home: It is a good practice to take off shoes and socks when we get home, after work, shopping or simply after walking.
• Replacing regular footwear with homemade running shoes allows blood to circulate better through the feet. It is also important to remove the socks because the rubber of the same tightens to a greater or smaller extent in the leg and makes difficult the passage of blood towards the feet.
• Use the appropriate socks: In winter, we will use thicker socks than in summer. They can be made of wool or cotton. Fiber socks are not recommended. We must not forget to warm the feet properly because the cold constricts the blood vessels and hinders the circulation.
• Placing the feet in an elevated position: As important as allowing the blood to reach the feet is to allow the blood to return to the heart again.

When the circulation is not adequate, the blood is stagnant in the feet, which affects foot problems such as tiredness, tingling, etc.

To facilitate the venous return of blood accumulated in the feet, it is appropriate to place the feet in an elevated position. Therefore, we will sit and place a footrest, stool, or other chair in front of us to raise our feet and the blood can return to the heart.

Keeping your feet elevated favors the return of blood to the body and improves circulation in the feet and legs

• Perform inverted poses: Another way to get the return of blood from the feet are the inverted poses.

They consist of standing upside down, with the head lower than the feet. To do this we will approach a wall and, placing the head on the ground, with the help of our arms will try to lift the legs by supporting the feet in the wall upright inverted. That way we’ll stay for a few minutes.

At first, this position is somewhat difficult to achieve and can produce a strange feeling, but, over time, we will get used to it and we can do it very easily.

• Placing a pillow under the feet when we are in bed: It is another way to keep the feet higher than the rest of the body to favor the return circulation.
• We will sit from time to time: People who are standing for many hours have problems of tiredness and poor circulation in the feet. In case of working standing, we must rest from time to time so that the blood returns to flow normally through the legs and feet.
• We will try to relax: To avoid the stress that is another factor that decreases the diameter of the blood vessels hindering the blood supply.
• Avoid smoking: Smoking also constricts blood vessels and worsens circulation.
• We will choose a diet suitable for circulation: Some foods are not suitable for a good circulation. We must reduce the consumption of saturated fats and increase natural plant foods, such as fruits and vegetables. ( See diet suitable for circulation)

More information on circulatory diseases.

Written by Editorial Botanical-online team in charge of content writing

24 July, 2023