6 Natural Ways to Manage Raynaud’s Disease

If your extremities (fingers, toes, ears, or nose) tend to chronically tingle, go numb, sometimes turn slightly blue, or just have attacks of pain you could be struggling with Raynaud’s (ray-NOHZ) disease (also referred to as Raynaud’s syndrome or Raynaud’s phenomenon). There is primary Raynaud’s which is the most common and secondary Raynaud’s which can be more serious, but less common. 

Symptoms are often associated with exposure to cold which can trigger bouts of discomfort or even stinging pain. However, Raynaud’s can attack just about anyone in any climate. These attacks can last a few minutes to several hours and science just can’t wrap its head around it. 

Medical treatment options may involve calcium channel blockers, vasodilators, nerve surgery or chemical injections. Like many conventional pharmaceutical choices, these treatments could come with a price. Side effects are always a  risk and medical treatment could just tamp down symptoms rather than address the root cause. Overall applying a synthetic approach could, over time, do more systemic damage than good. 

If you are diagnosed with this condition or have symptoms that may be similar, talk to your doctor about trying these 6 natural ways to manage Raynaud’s disease. One or more may allow your body to embrace natural healing as opposed to navigating alien substances or invasive surgery that could put you on a track of more pain than gain. 

Beware of Vasospasm

It sounds more like a sci-fi film than a symptom but vasospasm is a major association with Raynaud’s disease. This is when the tiniest capillaries that snake along and outward to your extremities (fingers/toes) somehow become narrower than normal constraining blood flow. This compromised circulation due to capillary restriction is called vasospasm. Symptoms of vasospasm include: 

• Numbness 
• Prickly or tingling
• Cold fingers or toes 
• Feeling throbbing or stinging during warming of extremities 
• Color changes, particularly when cold or under stress. Skin usually turns white, blue, then red

Women between the ages of 15 to 30 are more susceptible to developing Raynaud’s as well as those living in colder climates.

Fatty Acids

Essential fatty acids are significant to optimal health. When it comes to Raynaud’s disease these natural compounds may help. According to the archived study, ‘Fish-oil dietary supplementation in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon: a double-blind, controlled’, by researchers at the Division of Rheumatology, Albany Medical College, New York, published in The American Journal of medicine, it was concluded that, 

“…ingestion of fish oil improves tolerance to cold exposure and delays the onset of vasospasm in patients with primary, but not secondary, Raynaud’s phenomenon. These improvements are associated with significantly increased digital systolic blood pressures in cold temperatures.”

Essential fatty acids can be found in fish oil supplements or, if you are vegetarian/vegan, in algae supplements as well. 

Gingko 

Derived from the leaves of the gingko tree, gingko biloba is an extract that has been used as an ancient and modern herbal remedy for a variety of ailments including: inflammation, arthritis, compromised circulation, and brain challenges such as fading memory, focus, and cognitive speed. Now, Raynaud’s might be added to the list. 

Published in Vascular Medicine a study by researchers from the Peripheral Vascular Diseases Research Unit, University Department of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, UK stated that,

“The number of attacks per week prior to treatment with Seredrin [gingko biloba phytosome formula] was [] a reduction of 56%, whereas placebo reduced the number by only 27%. [] Ginkgo biloba phytosome may be effective in reducing the number of Raynaud’s attacks per week in patients suffering from Raynaud’s disease.”

Try a gingko supplement each day (follow supplement dosage instructions) to see if symptoms improve. Be sure to check with your doctor first as gingko may be contraindicative to certain conditions and medications. 

Niacin

No flush niacin (b3) also known as inositol nicotinate (Hexopal) has shown some beneficial results in a placebo controlled study. As reported by Research Gate, 

“Sixty-five patients, 20 males 45 females, aged 18-75 years…were enrolled. [] They were given either Hexopal or placebo 4 × 500 mg tablets twice daily for three months. [] A statistically significant improvement in symptoms and reduction in frequency of Raynaud’s attack was seen only in the Hexopal group. Compared with placebo, symptoms were significantly better with Hexopal after three months of treatment. This study, conducted as far as possible under natural conditions in the cold season, produced further confirmation that Hexopal not only reduced the severity of Raynaud’s symptoms but also the frequency of Raynaud’s attacks.”

Be sure to take niacin under the care of a professional holistic or medical practitioner.

Others to Consider

Although there aren’t strong studies behind these options, observational reports have shown promise when applying one or more of these:

• Vitamin D 
• Evening Primrose oil (may increase bleeding, do not take if prone to seizures)
• Magnesium (magnesium could interrupt medication, high doses may cause diarrhea)

Try some of these 6 natural ways to manage Raynaud’s disease. Your body may thank you for an easy to embrace application rather than a synthetic onslaught of drugs.