7 Natural Remedies for Cold Hands & Feet
Cold hands and feet tend to be a common
complaint. In some instances, cold extremities can signal more serious
problems including peripheral artery disease (a common circulatory
problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs),
lupus (various conditions marked by inflammation of the skin) and
rheumatoid arthritis, among others. Nevertheless, more often than not,
cold hands and feet tend to occur in healthy individuals and are often a
sign of poor circulation. So, before treating yourself for a more
serious condition, try these 7 natural remedies to improve your
circulation.
1. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, so
much so that researchers in Italy reported the antioxidants found in
dark chocolate increase blood flow to the arms and legs. It does so by
activating biochemicals that help widen arteries. Researchers studied
patients with poor blood circulation, and they found that after eating
dark chocolate, patients showed increased levels of nitric oxide, a gas
that widens arteries and improves blood flow.
2. Ginkgo Biloba
Compounds in the gingko biloba leaf dilate
the blood vessels in your whole body, temporarily increasing blood flow
to your extremities, studies have shown. Gingko can be taken as a
dietary supplement to help keep your hands and feet warm.
3. Wine (or Other Alcohol)
Should you need a quick fix to help keep
your hands and feet warm, have one glass of wine or any other alcoholic
drink per day. Alcohol dilates your blood vessels and helps the blood
reach extremities more easily, especially through the vessels in your
hands and feet. For an excellent pairing, have a glass of red wine with
your dark chocolate in the evening.
4. Exercise
30 to 45 minutes of daily exercise,
particularly a brisk walk or jumping rope will get your blood flowing,
ensuring that your hands and feet remain warm. If your cold hands and
feet return soon after you have exercised, try cycling your feet for 5
to 10 minutes and rotating arms in a quick circular motion for about the
same length of time. These simple exercises can get the blood flowing,
warming your body up quickly.
5. Eat Spicy Food
Foods to add to your list to ensure your
hands and feet remain warm include peppers, onions, garlic, and spices
such as curry powder and cayenne pepper - all of which work well in
improving blood circulation. These spicy foods also offer relief for the
muscle pain you might feel after exercising.
6. Massage
Massage can work wonders for blood flow
primarily because blood gets stuck in knots inside your muscles.
Massages stimulate the trapped blood and allow it to move freely through
your body. The pulling and squeezing of the muscles in your body during
a massage will flush lactic acid from the muscles, improving blood
circulation.
7. Hydration
The best way to combat poor blood
circulation is to stay hydrated. Keep a bottle of water with you when
you are out and about, ensuring that you stay well hydrated.