Circulatory problems
Poor circulation is felt in different ways. For instance,
Raynaud's disease is the result of
improper circulation to the fingers. Poor
circulation that affects the whole body can cause
fatigue, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and
fainting, since the brain is most sensitive to
sudden changes in blood supply. Cold hands and feet are also clues to poor
circulation. Arteriosclerosis - related circulatory problems are
less obvious, as they develop very slowly.
Headaches, dizzy spells, attacks of paralysis,
angina and high blood pressure are signs of poor
oxygen supply from arteriosclerosis. Impeded
circulation will affect every cell in the body, as each
cell needs oxygen for rejuvenation. Many
diabetics experience circulatory problems related to high
sugar levels, which interfere with proper wound healing
and lead to nerve problems like polyneuropathy. Unhealthy skin can also be a sign that
circulation is poor.
Blood circulation is vital because it supplies the cells with oxygen and
nutrients essential to their survival. Circulation is largely dependent upon the
health of the heart and the blood vessels. As long as the heart is in good
condition, poor circulation has two main causes: arteriosclerosis or
low blood pressure. In arteriosclerosis, the cause
for restricted circulation is the deposit of plaques
in the arteries, which leads to narrowed blood
vessels. A diet high in saturated fats and low in
essential fatty acids will increase plaque deposits. Low
blood pressure is usually the result of a sluggish
venous system. Weak tissues and lack of
movement allow the flow of blood to slow and pool in
the extremities. Standing for long periods in the
heat can overburden the venous system and cause
blood pressure to fall. Blood loss from injury and
dehydration from illness put additional strain on
the circulatory system. Prolonged bedrest can also
cause the circulatory system to be sluggish and
collapse. Physical activity is a tremendous support
to all types of circulatory problems, whatever the
cause.
Cigarette smoking noticeably constricts blood
vessels and is highly detrimental to anyone experiencing circulatory problems. Smoking can cause Buerger's disease, which can impede circulation to
the point of gangrene and consequent
amputation of the legs. Oral contraceptives and diuretics
are also hard on the circulatory system.
Supplements and herbs
The essential fatty acids available in
evening
primrose oil and fish oils like salmon are necessary
to combat arteriosclerosis. They improve fat
metabolism and reduce the stickiness of blood
platelets, preventing the development of arteriosclerotic plaques. Phosphatidylcholine, is an
excellent supplement to combat arteriosclerosis.
Vitamins C and E and bioflavonoids are
necessary for good circulation. Vitamin C and
bioflavonoids provide the cells with strength and
stability, while vitamin E lends elasticity and
improves oxygen supply. This is most important
for a sluggish venous system.
Coenzyme Q10 is another excellent
supplement for circulation, as it supplies the cells with
greater amounts of oxygen.
Green food supplements are also recommended to strengthen and clean veins, and
lower blood pressure.
To promote circulation, regulate blood pressure
and strengthen veins, take herbal remedies in
conjunction with dietary treatment.
- Hawthorn berries regulate blood pressure and
fortify the heart. Take as 40 drops of tincture,
three times daily.
- Vegetal silica from horsetail tea helps
normalize circulation by strengthening the tissues of
the walls of arteries and veins.
- Steep rosemary leaves in aged red wine
and take a tablespoon once a day as a heart
tonic.
- Take 2-3 cups of hyssop and rosemary tea daily
after meals (or 15-25 drops tincture diluted in
water). Hyssop increases blood pressure,
whereas rosemary stimulates circulation and
normalizes blood pressure. Add peppermint for
flavor. To 1 part each of hyssop and rosemary,
add 1/2 part of peppermint.
- Bilberries improve circulation and strengthen
capillaries and small veins. Take 40 drops of
tincture 3 times daily or 1 cup of tea twice daily.
Siberian ginseng,
ginger root and ginkgo biloba
teas stimulate circulation.
- Short (ten to fifteen minutes) warm rosemary
baths will help stimulate the circulation.
- Cayenne helps to dilate arteries.
Homeopathy
Take the remedies according to symptoms or one to three times daily in
chronic cases. One can start with lower potencies and work up.
- Arsenicum
Always chilly, with icy cold limbs. Cold sweats.
Cramps in hands, feet.
Livid, bluish or pale skin. Weak, exhausted, yet extremely restless limbs.
Burning pains. Gangrene in
diabetes, elderly, after burns,
alcoholism.
Inflammation of arteries. Intermittent claudication, Buerger's disease.
Blue, puffy, swollen limbs. Worse: cold, after midnight, tobacco, damp.
- Carbo veg
Sluggish, stagnant circulation. Veins congested, easy bruising, skin
ulcers or gangrene. Deeply exhausted, weak. Burning heat internally.
Chilly. Icy cold limbs, knees, feet, hand, nose. Numbness of parts lain on.
Blueness or paleness of skin. Lack of oxygen; craves fresh or moving air.
Worse: heat, damp, rich foods. Better: elevating feet, cool air, lying down.
- Lachesis
Flushes of heat, rushes of blood to head. Vein inflammation. Milk leg.
Icy coldness of leg, hands, feet. Gangrene, skin ulceration.
Chilblains.
Mottled, purple spots and red blotches. Red or blue swollen skin. Liver spots.
Limbs fall asleep. Trembling, twitching. Suffocative pressure in heart.
Worse: after sleep, least touch, touch of clothing, constriction, heat.
- Secale
Sluggish circulation, distended veins, blood clots. Hardened vessels.
Inflamed arteries. Burning hot internally but icy cold to touch. Numbness.
Purplish spots, skin ulcers, with withered skin, flabby muscles, scrawny.
Gangrene of toes due to lack of blood supply; in diabetes or old age.
Bleeding of dark, thin, foul blood. Worse: heat, covers. Better: cold.
- Tabacum
Legs icy cold, from knees down. Hands cold, body warm. Cramps in limbs.
Tingling, trembling in limbs. Numbness of toes. Feeble extremities.
Hypertension, arteriosclerosis of coronary arteries. Limbs fall asleep.
Despondent, indifferent. Mental fatigue, silly talk. Fears persecution.
Worse: evening, heat and cold. Better: uncovering, open air, least motion.
- Veratrum album
Chilliness and icy cold hands, feet with blueness of skin. Feeling of ice
water or heat and burning in the blood vessels. Cold sweats.
Raynaud's.
Cramps in legs and calves, feet. Heaviness of limbs. Numbness of flesh.
Milk leg. Tingling, falling asleep. Craves sour fruit, salt, cold drinks.
Worse: standing, sitting. Better: letting the limb hang down, walking.
What else you can do
- Hydrotherapy is excellent to stimulate the
circulation. Use daily alternate hot and cold
showers, water stepping or dew walking.
- Regular morning dry brushing stimulates the
circulation.
- It is important to exercise regularly. Walk,
hike, cycle and swim outdoors for better
health.
- Wear natural-fiber clothing
only-artificial fiber clothing can destroy the body's electric
field and influence the circulation.
How much to take
- Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules
three times daily
- Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg three
times daily
- Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU
twice daily with meals
- Coenzyme Q10, 100 mg
- Phosphatidylcholine, 100 mg
- Lecithin, 3 tbsp. three times daily
- Green food supplements, 1 tbsp
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