The medical term for poor blood circulation in legs is peripheral vascular disease (PVD). This affects older people more commonly, as over time the accumulation of plaque along the walls of the blood vessels on the periphery of the heart causes the hardening of their walls and consequently improper blood circulation to the limbs. The most usual causes are weight gain, lack of adequate physical activity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or sugar level, smoking and unbalanced diet.
There are a few natural remedies for poor blood circulation:
- Avoid smoking and cut down on the intake of fat-rich and sugary food.
- Go out for daily walks and exercise regularly.
- Avoid sitting in the same position continuously for too long.
- Garlic is known to check the level of cholesterol in the blood. It also reduces the risk of heart diseases and regulates blood pressure. Thus, eating a clove of garlic at every meal can effectively address the causes for poor blood circulation.
- Ginger and onion naturally keep body tissues healthy and cleanse the blood. Use generous amount of ginger and onion in cooked food to ensure proper blood circulation. You could also drink ginger tea and other hot drinks to improve blood circulation. Adding a few drops of lime juice and honey to your tea may also help.
- Another effective way of stimulating blood circulation in your legs is to take hot-and- cold baths every day. This simply involves pouring hot and cold water on your legs alternately. Make sure that the water you use is neither too hot nor too cold. Blood naturally flows into the part of the body which is hotter than the rest and then rushes away when that part is suddenly cooled. Thus, such a process, repeated five times a day, feeds blood in and out of your legs and remedies the problem of poor blood circulation. For better results, gradually increase the temperature difference between the hot and the cold water so that your body gets enough time to adjust with the change. Soak your feet in a tub of warm water to which you have added a few drops of cypress or rosemary oil.
- Cayenne, which is a variety of capsicum, is a natural agent that improves blood circulation. Massage your legs with cayenne oil every night at bedtime.
- As far as possible, avoid cold climates. During winter wear warm socks when you step outdoors.
answered by G R