Cold feet

Unfortunately, the tendency to be warm or cold is usually part of an overall constitutional disposition. Nevertheless, there are some simple measures that will help to prevent and relieve the discomfort of cold feet.

Feet become cold from poor circulation. A lack of circulation is often the result of inadequate exercise, low blood pressure or exposure to cold, wind and dampness. Shoes and socks that are too tight restrict circulation. Conditions like arteriosclerosis, diabetes and thyroid under activity all contribute to cold hands and feet. Many medications, including oral contraceptives, impede circulation. Smoking has a most immediate effect, causing cold hands and feet within minutes, since it causes blood vessels to constrict.

Spinach juice, rich in minerals and blood-building folic acid, is helpful for people complaining of cold feet. Kelp and other seaweeds provide iodine, which may be deficient if cold feet are due to an underproduction of thyroxine by the thyroid gland. Eat avocados and wheat germ for vitamin E, nutritional yeast, brown rice, milk and poultry for niacin; both help relieve cold feet by stimulating the circulation. If cold feet are a symptom of low blood pressure, follow the guidelines for that condition.

Supplements and herbs

Vitamins C and E help improve poor circulation and protect the blood vessels from free-radical damage. If anemia is a problem, B vitamins are recommended. Vitamin B3 or niacin also helps stimulate circulation by enlarging the veins.

Herbal remedies are excellent for stimulating circulation.

• Gentian, yarrow, centaury and wormwood stimulate the circulation. Drink as tea (1 tsp. herb in 1 cup boiling water) or as diluted tinctures (5 drops tincture in a glass of water).
• A dash of cayenne added to the tea will speed the herbal action and give the body an overall feeling of warmth.
• Add thyme and rosemary infusion or oils to bath water to increase circulation to the feet.

What else you can do

• As a long-term preventive program, regular barefoot walking, dew walking, cold-water stepping and even snow walking are excellent therapies to build up resistance and strengthen the feet. The cold-water therapies should be very brief and performed only with warm feet. Place feet in a hot-water bath or rub to warm before starting the treatments.
• Epsom salts baths and alternating hot and cold foot baths are excellent to increase circulation to the feet.
• It is important to keep the feet warm, as cold feet lower the body's resistance to colds and flu viruses.
• Avoid sitting for prolonged periods of time. A ten-minute brisk walk will warm up the feet quickly in most cases.
• Prepare a foot bath with lukewarm water plus 1/4 cup mustard flour to give the feet a fast warming.
• For cold feet in bed, fill up a small sack with dry cherry pits. Heat in oven and place on feet. This sack gives an even heat and is preferable to an electric heating pad.

How much to take

• Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg three times daily
• Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 10
• Niacin, 500 mg three times daily
• Vitamin B complex, 100 mg

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