Many factors, such as smoking, obesity, or lung and heart problems, can lead to poor circulation of the blood throughout the body. Poor circulation can then lead to more physical disorders, such as heart disease, varicose veins, slow wound healing, atherosclerosis and poor brain function, according to the National Institutes of Health. One way to improve circulation is through the use of specific herbs. While these herbs have few side effects, if you are already on medication for heart or circulatory problems, their interaction with medication can be life threatening. Before using any herbs, speak to your physician.
Hawthorn
Native to North America, North Africa, Europe and western Asia, hawthorn is a shrub that can grow to 5 feet in height. Related to the rose bush, when hawthorn flowers have finished blooming and drop from the bush, hawthorn berries appear where the flowers were, just as rose hips appear on the rose bush. When it comes to medicinal benefits, the leaves, flowers and berries from the hawthorn bush deliver. Having been used for centuries to treat respiratory and heart problems, hawthorn is still used to improve conditions that affect the heart, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Poor circulation can lead to symptoms of heart failure and angina, which is chest pain caused by a weak flow of blood to the heart. The UMMC report states that hawthorn improves blood flow, relieving chest pain and angina symptoms, as well as other symptoms of heart failure such as fatigue, heart palpitations and trouble breathing. Hawthorn is available as a dietary supplement in tablet or liquid extract form. Dried hawthorn leaves, berries and flowers are also available to make tea, but beware, as the tea can have a bitter taste. If you are on medication for your heart or for high blood pressure, speak to your physician before taking hawthorn, as the herb can interact with your medication and have serious consequences.
Garlic
Increase your intake of garlic by adding it to your culinary dishes. Found to be more useful than just for flavoring, garlic offers numerous health benefits, according to a report in the January 2003 issue of "Ageing Research Reviews." The author, K. Rahman from Liverpool John Moores University in Liverpool, UK, states that garlic is a powerful antioxidant that prevents age-related diseases such as arthritis, cataracts, cancer, blood clotting and heart disease. It is also known to help rebuild and rejuvenate the skin, as well as energy levels. Garlic also has the ability to increase blood flow, which is one of the ways it lowers the risk for heart disease. A study in the June 2004 issue of "Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry" examined the role of garlic on circulation, and the results showed that after taking 600 mg tablets of garlic, once a day for seven days, the subjects had significant improvement in overall circulation, but particularly in the calf muscles. Circulation in the lower legs can be especially sluggish since the circulatory system has to fight gravity to get the blood to flow back to the heart. Garlic is available as a fresh garden herb that can be added to any culinary dish, or it can be purchased as a dietary supplement in capsule form.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is one of the most researched herbs in the world, according to the Herb Research Foundation in Boulder, Colorado. What has been learned from that research is that ginkgo biloba powerfully stimulates blood circulation, which is one reason it is sought after to treat brain disorders such as memory loss and cognitive function. The HRF reports that ginkgo increases blood flow to areas of the brain that have already suffered damage, as well as healthy areas. Improved blood flow to damaged tissue can also be of benefit to those who suffer from heart disease. The June 2008 issue of "Phytotherapy Research" reports that when tested on patients with coronary heart disease, ginkgo biloba extract led to significant improvement in circulation to the heart, after only two weeks of treatment. Ginkgo biloba is available as a dietary supplement in the form of capsules, tablets, liquid extract or dried tea.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Vascular Diseases
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hawthorn
- PubMed: Abstract--Ageing Research Review: Garlic and aging
- PubMed: Abstract--Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry: Garlic supplementation increases peripheral blood flow
- Herb Research Foundation: Ginkgo Biloba
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