Certain dietary supplements may be helpful in treating your poor circulation. According to the Cleveland Clinic, as your heart beats, it pumps blood through a network of blood vessels that compose your circulatory system. Certain medical conditions can decrease your circulation. Before taking dietary supplements to help treat your poor 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 Ginkgoaceae family, has been used to help treat intermittent claudication, or leg pain caused by narrowing of your arteries and decreased blood flow to your lower extremities. Ginkgo is one of the oldest living tree species. The leaf of the tree, which has a slightly sour taste, has been used for medicinal purposes. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that ginkgo is a circulatory system tonic that improves circulation to your head, brain and extremities. Ginkgo is an antioxidant, anticoagulant and anti-atherosclerotic that is used to help boost blood flow through your body's smallest blood vessels. If you develop a headache from taking herbal supplements containing ginkgo, discontinue use of the supplements.
Gotu Kola
Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that gotu kola, also known as Centella asiatica, helps decrease sclerosis and improves your circulation by enhancing your connective tissue integrity without promoting excessive collagen -- a type of connective tissue -- synthesis. Gotu kola, notes Tilgner, stimulates glycosaminoglycan, or GAG, synthesis. GAGs are major components in various tissues throughout your body, including your blood vessels. Gotu kola, a member of the parsley family, is a perennial plant native to South and Southeast Asia, has a spicy taste and possesses cooling tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the entire plant, especially the leaves and stems, to help treat numerous health problems, including poor circulation. If you are pregnant, warns Tilgner, you should avoid taking supplements containing gotu kola.
Ginger
Ginger is a plant that is cultivated in South Asia, East Africa and the Caribbean for culinary and medicinal purposes. Ginger, also known as Zingiber officinalis, has a thick, knotted underground stem, or rhizome, that is used medicinally. The stem of the plant extends about 1 foot above the ground and has long, narrow leaves and white or yellow-green flowers. Ginger belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, has a spicy taste and possesses heating, stimulating and drying tendencies. Tilgner notes that ginger is an anti-atherosclerotic, cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant and circulatory stimulant that decreases your likelihood of developing blood clots. Because ginger is a warming herbal supplement, it may also decrease cold sensations in your extremities. If you are pregnant, Tilgner cautions, you should avoid taking dietary supplements containing large doses of ginger.
References
- Cleveland Clinic: Your Heart and Blood Vessels
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Ginkgo
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
