What Supplements Help With Poor Circulation?

Many herbs may be helpful in improving your circulation, or blood flow. According to the Cleveland Clinic -- one of the top hospitals in the United States -- as your heart beats, blood is pumped through the blood vessels that help compose your circulatory system. Certain health conditions may impair your circulation. Before taking dietary supplements to help improve your circulation, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.

Ginkgo

Ginkgo, also known as Ginkgo biloba, is an herbal supplement that may be helpful in treating your poor circulation. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, ginkgo, a member of the ginkoaceae family, has been used to help treat intermittent claudication, or leg pain caused by the narrowing of your arteries and decreased blood flow. Ginkgo has a slightly sour taste. The leaf of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that ginkgo is an antioxidant, anticoagulant and anti-atherosclerotic that helps increase blood flow to your head and limbs. Ginkgo boosts blood flow to your brain and decreases your likelihood of developing blood clots. Tilgner cautions that ginkgo may cause gastrointestinal upset, headaches and increased bleeding time in some individuals.

Hawthorn

Dr. Michael T. Murray, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "The Healing Power of Herbs," states that hawthorn, also known as Crataegus species, is an herbal supplement used to help treat atherosclerosis, angina, congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. Hawthorn, notes Tilgner, is an adaptogen specific for your circulatory system and helps you maintain healthy arteries and veins by enhancing the connective tissue structure of the endothelial, or innermost, lining of your blood vessels. Improved connective tissue structure improves your resiliency against injury, disease and normal wear and tear associated with aging. Hawthorn, a member of the rose family, is a thorny shrub that thrives on hillsides and sunny wooded areas around the world. Hawthorn has a sweet, sour and astringent taste, possesses warming tendencies and can grow to a maximum height of about 5 feet.

Ginger

Ginger, a member of the zingiberaceae family, is an herbal supplement that may be beneficial in treating your poor circulation. Ginger, also known as Zingiber officinalis, has a thick, knotted rhizome, or underground stem, and a stem that rises about 1 foot above the ground. Ginger has a spicy taste and heating, stimulating and drying tendencies. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that ginger has been used as a medicine in numerous healing traditions, including Indian, Asian and Arabic medicine. According to Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," ginger is used to help treat heart disease and poor circulation. Ginger is an anti-atherosclerotic and circulatory stimulant decreases platelet aggregation, or decreases your risk of blood clot formation. Tilgner notes that, if you are pregnant, you should avoid taking large doses of this herbal supplement.