Improving Poor Circulation with Herbs

[Guest guest]

Improving Poor Circulation with Herbs

 

 

Sometimes just nourishing the blood is not enough. In spite of a

good diet and adequate digestion, I often get patients complaining

of poor circulation accompanied by symptoms like a weak pulse, cold

intolerance, or cold fingers and toes. Again, it is important to

first determine underlying medical conditions that may be causing

the symptoms, such as iron deficiency anemia, hypothyroidism,

cardiac weakness, vitamin B-12 deficiency etc. Once you have

addressed those areas, you can work to directly improve the

circulation with herbs. In fact, it is very common for my patients

to have circulation or blood problems that are not clearly defined

by blood tests. It is equally common for me to see patients with

various forms of fatigue and anemia who do not respond, for example,

to simple iron supplements.

 

In such cases, the choice of herbs for treating poor circulation now

depends on herbal differential diagnosis. Weakness, coldness,

congestion, restriction and deficiency are among the major

contributing factors, and any or all may be present. The patient or

doctor must identify which factor is most prominent, which will help

in developing the proper treatment protocol, which usually involves

mixing herbs from several groups.

 

TCM analysis tells us that Qi or vital energy deficiency can cause

poor circulation because the Qi pushes the blood. If this factor is

predominant, the patient will present with weakness, fatigue, a

slow, weak pulse and low digestive energy. I use astragalus root,

ginseng root, salvia root, dang gui root, shou wu root and white

atractylodes rhizome in these cases. According to TCM theory the

astragalus, white atracylodes and ginseng strengthen the vital force

(Qi), and the dang gui and shou wu root nourish and regulate the

blood. Scientific studies show that these herbs help dilate and/or

regulate peripheral vessels and improve capillary circulation

(DeFeudis, 1991).

 

If the problem is a consequence of coldness, which slows the blood

flow, it is first necessary to differentiate between interior and

exterior coldness. In our discussion of diet we mentioned that

exterior or weather-related cold (low exterior temperatures) moves

the blood to the interior areas of the body. Symptoms include cold

limbs, cold intolerance, tendency to shiver, joint pain, and

sometimes, low back and musculoskeletal pain, all related to a Yang

deficiency. I treat this according to the TCM principle, " Use heat

to treat coldness. " Herbs from the warming group like dry ginger,

cinnamon bark, and prickly ash bark are usually very effective. Do

not use these herbs by themselves as long-term treatment. Unless

the coldness is very superficial and short-lived, there is usually

another causative condition, such as low energy or blood deficiency,

which requires treatment to resolve the circulatory problem

permanently. In these cases, I use herbs to treat the underlying

condition in combination with the warming group herbs.

 

If the coldness has penetrated to the interior of the body the

patient will present with cold hands and feet, combined with

symptoms such as poor digestion, abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea and

reduced appetite. In these cases, I use fresh ginger, black pepper,

trikatu, ginseng root, white atractylodes and licorice root.

 

A final possible cause of poor circulation is the form of interior

tension called Liver Qi restriction in TCM. This common condition

is seen in patients presenting with tension, a rapid wiry pulse,

cold fingers and toes, and a red tongue. Two major herbs for this

condition, often prescribed together are bupleurum root and scute

root. You can also use blue citrus peel (qing pi or C.

reticulata), xiang fu rhizome (Cyperus rotundus) and zhi ke fruit

(Citrus aurantium). Calming herbs like ashwaghanda root and

scullcap tincture have somewhat similar actions.

 

Moving the Blood

 

According to TCM, when the blood flow is impeded the condition is

known as blood congestion. If the blood actually stops moving, the

condition is termed blood stasis. These concepts correspond very

closely to the Western medicine stages of blood coagulation,

especially platelet stickiness, in which platelets stick together to

prevent bleeding. Chinese researchers have investigated this

process in detail, and have developed commercial herbal formulas to

promote blood circulation and inhibit platelet aggregation. These

formulas are used in China to treat and prevent strokes and heart

attacks (reported in Dharmananda, 1994).

 

Because blood stagnation also inhibits tissue repair and removal of

waste products, herbs that move the blood can be used to treat a

wide variety of health problems, including slow healing, chronic

inflammation, poor memory, and some forms of headache and vertigo.

We have listed some important blood moving herbs in the blood-moving

group, with the most important being dang gui root, prickly ash

bark, salvia root and carthamus flower. Other herbs that have

similar but minor properties include garlic bulb, bilberry, evening

primrose oil and turmeric root (reported in Duke, 1997).

 

When blood congestion progresses, it can lead to pain syndromes

including menstrual cramps, Reynaud's syndrome, and even life-

threatening thrombosis. The same herbs are used to treat these

ailments, but using the stronger ones like persica seed (tao ren or

Prunus persica), carthamus flower, red peony root (chi shao / Peonia

rubra), prickly ash bark, and E zhu root (Curcuma zedoaria).

 

If the congestion progresses to the stage of what TCM doctors

call " mass formation, " more powerful and potentially toxic " herbs "

are used, such as anteater scales (chuan shan jia / Manis

pentadactyla) and/or dried leech (shui zhi or Hirudo nipponia).

 

Warning: All moving blood treatments are contraindicated in

pregnancy and patients taking blood-thinning medication.

 

http://oneearthherbs.squarespace.com/diseases/improving-poor-

circulation-with-herbs.html

[Guest guest]

" JoAnn Guest " <angelprincessjo wrote:

>

> Improving Poor Circulation with Herbs

 

Hi JoAnn and others

 

Certainly agree about the amazing variety of herbals and the long

history of TCM regarding their uses.

 

One thing I would like to add is:

 

Chinese and all good Holistic therapists seek to find the SOURCE of

the problem. People tend to become a bit 'drug' reliant to deal with

symptoms rather than deal with the source of the problem.

 

It may be considered that in most cases the source of the problem is

people's minds. Repeating old (bad) habit-patterns, and lack of

exercise due to a dulled and unmotivated mind.

 

A diagnosis is not likely to say

" your problem stems from a lack of herbs "

but may very well say

" your problem stems from a lack of exercise "

or " your problem stems from an undisciplined mind "

 

 

Smiles and Good Qi to you all

 

Rich

 

 

Hi Rich!

I totally agree. Exercise is being promoted as the ultimate cureall while

ignoring other resources the body needs to deal with our toxic culture. We are

misled in that it deceives us into thinking we are dealing with just one

specific disease/symptom when actually we need to take a look at the 'big

picture' and we have become familiar with dealing in " diseases " so it is hard

for us to simply recognize that the need is to deal with the body in its

totality. Simplistically speaking, from much of their data it would appear that

the body parts are dissasembled whereas we know they are all interrelated.

Whenever herbs are brought into the picture ...we know that 'natural' herbs work

together synergistically with nutrient dense foods to energize and heal.,our

body knows what to do with them and will use them to heal that which 'needs'

healing.

 

Whenever I say that certain herbs have the ability to use only that which the

body needs and toss out any unneeded components, some just shake their head in

disbelief. This is one area where we need to realize the marvelous way we have

been created recognizing that the body when given the " right " resources " will "

restore itself! however the proliferation of unnatural components get in the way

(chemical drugs for example) and our systems first have to 'deal' with them (

white blood cells deal with drugs as a " vital threat " to our very existence)!

They have to deal with these " unnatural components " before moving on to the task

of healing! So whenever someone says that there are too many " hormones' or

phytates in nutrient dense herbs and organic foods,there is a need to reconsider

and revamp their thinking. The body in its wisdom is able to adjust to these

natural components and if they are put there it is for a reason. Who are we to

try to evaluate them in labs? We were not created in a lab but in a garden! Our

body knows how to adjust to natural substances and herbs are not the 'villain'

that big pharma contends!

 

In very subtle ways (some not so subtle) we are being denied our god given

rights to healing subatances/herbs. Herbs are typically not subject to hidden

hazards of residue as many of our modern foodstuffs, they are typically grown in

the " wild " . There are reps of big pharma writing on our forums ( health forums

as well) smearing the proper use of herbs,organic foods/ supplements, instilling

totally unfounded fears of our natural substances or whatever healing component

we suggest. I'm asking the groups to please take it with a 'grain of salt' when

someone suggests that there are too many phytoestrogens or hormones in herbs or

foods.If this were true, how did our ancestors survive? They depended on them

for their very existence!! How do we know that natural substances are effective?

They have stood the test of time! If it were not for natural substances we

wouldn't be here. They were here way before the onslaught of modern medicine!

Better to deal with a natural hormone in a natural substance than harmful

chemicals as we regard to the damage that it can do! Cancers did not exist in

the 1800's. I wonder why? Women made good use of red clover for their breast

tumors, shrinking them in a matter of days. We need to evaluate and re-evaluate

every natural and unnatural chemical substance and adjust out thinking

accordingly. Ironically, the truth is hidden from those who put their trust in

pharmaceuticals! It is really a pity because many go down to an early grave with

this type of deception.

 

Respectfully yours,

JoAnn

[Guest guest]

THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF SYMPTOMS IS WHAT DEFINES THE DISEASE

MECHANISM.....TREATING SYMPTOMS...EVEN TREATING SYNDROMES WILL ONLY BRING THE

PATIENT BACK

TO DISEASE EVENTUALLY

 

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE PROCESS YOU MUST DETERMINE THE BEGINNING OF THIS CAUSAL

CHAIN

 

DR SCHIMMEL IN GERMANY MADE SOME GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS IN THIS AREA......

 

DR FRANK

 

 

 

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I ask only for hints and clues to direct my further research and I take

full responsibility for my health choices.

 

(Question about stinging nettle and oat straw and any other ideas people

care to suggest)

 

Most of my interest in alternative medicine is prevention and

maintenance of my phenomenal good health and doing my part to give my

body what it needs to enjoy this blessing of our Creator.

 

I made a mistake with and injured my hands. Months ago at the first

coldest night of winter, my vehicle broke down at the coldest part of

the night. I repaired it as quickly as I could and in doing so came

very close to frostbite of my fingers. I warmed them up after getting

the vehicle running by warming them under running warm water.

 

From that time and continuing now, I have cold fingers. There is no

other damage. No tissue death. No loss and no change in sensation.

Cold fingers have never been the case before in my life and I do much

outdoors in cold winters.

 

This is the first time my fingers ever came that close to frostbite.

Perhaps because I am so healthy my body didn't let tissue die, but I

wonder about the small capillaries in the fingers. Even indoors in the

office my fingers are at room temperature and the rest of my body is

warm. I do bleed just fine from a small cut on my finger which healed

right away as I am phenomenally healthy.

 

I have to conclude that it is due to that one near frostbite event as I

never had the problem before and I am an athlete and my recent history

of warm fingers before this damage. Just a couple months before, I was

waterskiing in just a swim suit while my friends only dared do it in wet

suits. I came back onto the boat and was warm and with warm fingers as

my fitness as a bicycle racer allows me to produce body heat very well.

Just last year, I remember the opposite of cold fingers as I have on

many occasions used my hands to melt frost off of side mirrors on my

truck and solve a frozen door lock on someone's car in a parking lot.

The frost just melts away and my hands and fingers would still be warm

after that. I say this because, this tells me that it is a sudden

change and not likely age related which would tend to be more gradual

changes instead of the day after a near frostbite event. My cold hands

is also not indicative of low metabolism as I have plenty of energy and

feel great and able to not let most bicycle racers pass me.

 

I take my responsibility very seriously to help my body recover from

this mystery of cold hands. I believe small things should not be

ignored as living with symptoms and something wrong can lead to disease

conditions. I never cover symptoms with drugs. I never take drugs.

Not even aspirin though it is found in willow bark. Not even caffeine

-- no coffee and no soft drinks. I don't even let the dentist apply

drugs locally when he drills teeth because that doesn't belong in my

body. I eat well and prepare my foods myself to be very selective and

not get food additives that are not food and do not belong in my food.

I feel great. I never get headaches unless something is wrong. Last

time was twenty years ago and everyone else got a headache and OSHA came

at our request and discovered carbon monoxide from our water heater. I

give that as my health background for those I ask for suggestions to

know that I am not trying to cover up something wrong and I am seeking

to do all that is my part to continue my phenomenal good health and

facilitate healing whatever damage has been done that results in

persistence of cold fingers months after near frostbite.

 

Due to my very high athletic fitness, I am not thinking this is a

circulatory problem -- at least not cardio-respiratory fitness. For

example, I don't get cold feet. But, I am willing to consider that this

may be a localized circulatory problem and I started to look at

supplements that are beneficial to good circulation as a possibility of

being helpful. Presently, I have just started reading about Nattokinase

Enzyme from natto made from fermented soybeans.

 

http://www.mercola.com/forms/cardioessentials.htm

 

I haven't bought it yet. There is a good sale on it in the health food

store and so good that I will have to wait for them to fill the empty

space on the shelf perhaps early this week.

 

I want my body to fight this and recover instead of finding out what

might develop from this. Because capillaries seem to have plenty of

blood when my hands are warm, I will guess that perhaps a body defense

against cold is still in the mode of working to preserve core body

temperature months after this one event and it is no longer necessary.

 

I respond to this post because it involves circulation and herbs. One

lady who uses these herbs herself recommend I use the herbs stinging

nettle and oat straw by leaching out the nutrients and minerals and

whatever it is that they have to offer into boiling hot purified water

and drinking that water after it cools. I have done this once early on

and noticed no improvements and just bought some more to try it again as

she says I should continue this regularly and it is good for me anyway

as they are rich in healthy minerals.

 

It is my hope that I learn from another's experience and we all learn

from whatever seems to work. Perhaps it just takes time. It will be

summer soon and my fingers won't be cold then and I will occasionally go

on some long bicycle rides. I know this encourages capillary growth at

least in the muscles used for pedaling. Circulation in fingers would

seem to be different as the muscles that give my fingers strength are in

my arms and tendons transfer the forces.

 

I hope I have given enough clues to narrow down what is a mystery to me,

so I might follow up and research a suggestion that might be the key to

healing from this.

 

I copied and pasted a previous post from me on antioxidants at the

bottom of this as I believe this might also be helpful to my body

healing from whatever damage is done and it is related to my attempts to

give my body what it needs to heal. Please scroll down to the bottom

and consider that as also part of this post.

 

Ronald H Levine

Midvale, Utah

 

PS: Scroll down.

 

 

-- richby9

Saturday, April 21, 2007 11:04 PM

 

Re: Improving Poor Circulation

with Herbs

 

" JoAnn Guest " <angelprincessjo wrote:

> Improving Poor Circulation with Herbs

 

 

/////////////////////////////////////

 

Antioxidant values? Fruit juices vs. supplement capsules? Sun Apr 1,

2007 4:07 am

 

http://health./message/

47065

 

How do I compare antioxidant values for fruit juices to supplement

capsules and other antioxidants?

 

I bought two different forms of antioxidants and I don't know enough

about it to know which form might give me the most antioxidant value for

the money. One form is capsules of grape seed extract and another bottle

that is Pycnogenol from pine bark the other form is bottled pomegranate

fruit juice. There are other juices with high antioxidant reputations,

but how do I compare them?

 

Do I need to pay for tests? Or can I look up results in a ORAC database?

Is that available for me to see?

 

I like that the capsules are compact and a lot of antioxidant value can

be stored in a small space and being small, it is logistically easer and

more practical to have it be refrigerated for most of the time that I

store it. Another form of antioxidant is bottled fruit juices in glass

jars of varieties that are particularly high in antioxidants like

pomegranate juice and black cherry juice and some others for variety,

too. Though not as compact, it does double as storage of drink and it

adds taste and flavor which if all else is equal I would favor the

flavor. But, I have presently no way of knowing if it takes 48 jars of

pomegranate juice to equal the antioxidant value of one capsule of grape

seed extract or the other way around.

 

I would like to know soon because both are on very good sale prices and

I would like to stock up on whichever is the best antioxidant value

before the sale is over.

 

I eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, but the jars are great for

at work when I don't have time to slice up a pineapple, etc. I'm not

sure which choice is best to put the most money for the healthfulness of

having antioxidants for future harsh times when using preparedness food

storage is necessary. I expect I might do some of both, but don't know

which should be my main supply. Anyone with knowledge of this and

especially which ones have the most antioxidant value for the money,

please post what you know.

 

I have recently made the decision to increase my food budget to include

more of the expensive especially healthful foods. I am very frugal and

thrifty, but I will now be less so for healthful foods as that is likely

my best spent money for health.

 

Comments and more information are invited.

 

Ronald H Levine

1042 E Fort Union Blvd #231

Midvale, Utah 84047-1800