Poor circulation is a result of viscous blood attempting to flow through narrowed blood vessels. If blood flow is restricted, organs, muscles and joints will not receive nourishment and chronic damage may result. Circulatory problems can lead to stroke, kidney damage and heart attack. The herbal treatment of circulatory disorders addresses their symptoms: high blood pressure, edema, fatty buildup and sluggish blood flow. Herbal remedies act to tone and strengthen heart muscles and blood vessels, stimulate circulation and reduce water retention.
Herbs to Use
Step 1
Strengthen and tone heart muscle contractions with hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata). Rich in flavonoids, hawthorn is one of the most important cardiotonic herbs if you suffer from high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis or angina. Hawthorn will normalize your heart rate, making it useful if you experience rapid or irregular heartbeats. Take hawthorn as a tea by infusing 1 tsp. of the dried berries in 1 cup of boiled water for 20 minutes. Drink the tea three times a day. Hawthorn also comes in tincture form. Take 30 to 40 drops of the tincture in ¼ cup of water three times a day.
Step 2
Support your blood vessels with ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). Ginkgo is a vascular tonic that will relieve blood vessel problems caused by poor peripheral and cerebral circulation. Ginkgo works by dilating peripheral blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow to the hands and feet. Ginkgo also inhibits platelet formation, thus reducing blood viscosity and increasing blood flow. Research reported in the 2008 issue of Phytotherapy Research shows that ginkgo extract also can increase coronary blood flow. Ginkgo is especially helpful in treating cerebral circulatory problems, such as decreased memory and concentration, tinnitus, vertigo and depression. Take 30 to 40 drops of ginkgo leaf tincture in ¼ cup of water up to three times a day.
Step 3
Stimulate your peripheral blood flow with cayenne (Capsicum annuum). Cayenne is a circulatory stimulant full of flavonoids, which strengthen artery and capillary walls, giving some protection against varicose veins. Cayenne also carries blood to the body's extremities, making it useful for cold hands and feet. Take cayenne by mixing 20 to 30 drops of the tincture in ¼ cup of water. Drink this mixture up to three times a day. Increase blood flow to your muscles and joints by using a topical cayenne ointment or liniment.
Step 4
Reduce water retention and tone blood vessels with yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Chronic high blood pressure can restrict blood vessels in the kidneys, making them less efficient and leading to excess water buildup known as edema. Yarrow acts as a diuretic to increase blood flow through the kidneys and remove water from the body. According to a study in the 2006 issue of Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, yarrow was effective in reducing edema in animals. Make a yarrow tea by infusing 1 tsp. of the dried herb in 1 cup of boiled water for 15 minutes. Drink this three times a day. You can also take yarrow tincture by mixing 20 to 40 drops of the tincture in ¼ cup of water. Take this mixture up to three times a day.
Tips and Warnings
- Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and do daily exercise together with using herbal treatments as part of a holistic approach to heart health.
- Consult with your doctor before self-medicating with herbs, especially if you have cardiac problems. Do not take ginkgo if you are already taking blood-thinning medication.
Things You'll Need
- Hawthorn dried berries or hawthorn tincture
- Ginkgo biloba tincture
- Capsicum annuum, or cayenne, tincture
- Capsicum annuum, or cayenne, ointment or liniment
- Achillea millefolium, or yarrow, dried herb or tincture
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