6 Natural Ways to Improve Circulation

6 Natural Ways to Improve Circulation

You may have limited opportunities to move your body adequately enough for optimal circulation to occur. Many rarely walk beyond to and from the car or throughout an office setting. Instead, a good amount of people spend time driving or sitting at a desk, which restricts blood flow. Also, if you aren’t one of these people, the conveniences of modern society have most likely compromised your circulation.

Low circulation may lead to a long list of issues that, over time, could develop into something more serious. Healthline reports on some signs of poor blood circulation which might include:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Varicose veins
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Leg cramps and/or aches
  • Headaches and dizzy spells
  • Cardiovascular disease and blood clots
  • Dark under-eye circles and vision loss
  • Diminished energy and feelings of tiredness
  • Sores, cuts, or scratches that heal unusually slowly
  • Visible skin discoloration, swelling, or ulcers in the leg
  • Numbness, tingling, or cold sensations in the hands and/or feet

Poor circulation could eventually have you end up on a cycle of lifelong pharmaceuticals or worse yet, result in some type of surgery. However, in many cases, all you need to do is try these 6 natural ways to improve circulation for an overall better health outcome.

Herbal Assist 

To enhance systemic blood flow, utilizing Nature’s medicine cabinet is always a good start. There are many herbal remedies backed by scientific studies that could assist in encouraging circulation.

Some of the top herbal circulation remedies are:

Gingko Biloba – The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that, “Laboratory studies have shown that ginkgo improves blood circulation by opening up blood vessels and making blood less sticky.”

Hawthorne – “A four year study on the benefits of hawthorn, commissioned by the German Ministry of Health, found that it improves contractions in the veins and heart while dilating the heart. This increases blood flow in the heart as well as flow speed throughout the body for increased circulation to organs and musculature.”

Korean Red Ginseng – Published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2/13), “Digital infrared thermal imaging showed that the temperature deviation in the whole body decreased safely in the Korean red ginseng group, which mitigated the body-temperature imbalance. This result suggests that Korean red ginseng improves blood circulation in the human body.”

Always check with your physician and seek guidance from a trained herbalist or naturopathic doctor before starting an herbal protocol.

Cup of Joe

Caffeine has had its challenges in the world of natural health remedies. However, recent studies are showing some significant benefits of moderate caffeine consumption on systemic functions, particularly blood flow.

A 2013 report by the Independent cites research which supports blood vessel enhancement as a result of drinking coffee. The study stated that,

“Researchers found that drinking a cup of caffeinated coffee significantly improved blood flow in the fingers of 27 healthy adults.”

If coffee is not your thing, try green tea or yerba mate’ two botanical caffeine sources that not only increase blood flow but may be gentler regarding energy ‘spike and crash’ scenarios.

Brush it Up

Dry skin brushing is an age-old practice that is one of the easiest and for many, enjoyable ways to improve circulation.

Mother Earth reports that, “In ancient Ayurvedic medicine, dry brushing (garshana) was completed every morning, prior to bathing, to stimulate blood circulation.”

All it takes is a few minutes each day before you bathe. Use a natural bristle brush (long wood handle, often sold as a shower brush) and in gentle circles star at the outer appendges and brush toward the heart.

Move It Your Way

It is no surprise that exercise improves circulation yet many claim they just can’t fit a gym run into their schedule. Others, just don’t want to. Working out at a gym or taking a daily run can certainly improve circulation but there are many other ways to move your body. Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to conform to something you may not enjoy but rather think out of the box if need be.

Some excellent ways to incorporate movement for circulation at your own pace include:

  • Biking
  • Tennis
  • Bowling
  • Dancing
  • Drumming
  • Swimming
  • A daily brisk walk
  • Self stretching or class yoga
  • Get a weekly massage or body scrub
  • Taking the stairs instead of the elevator

Don’t succumb to a life of sitting when you can be pro-active to increase your circulation for optimal health. Try these 6 natural ways to improve circulation or any other remedies that you are comfortable with to get your body back in gear.