Understanding poor blood circulation
To understand why grandmother's remedies for blood circulation are so popular, we must first understand the functioning and problems of the circulatory system.
What is blood circulation?
Blood circulation refers to the continuous circular movement of blood, generated by cardiac contractions, which carries blood from the heart to the organs through different blood vessels. This system mainly ensures the nutrition and oxygenation of cells, the elimination of metabolic waste and the proper functioning of organs.
The blood travels through two distinct circuits: the general circulation (or large circulation) and the pulmonary circulation (or small circulation). In the greater circulation, oxygen-rich blood is ejected from the left ventricle into the aorta to irrigate the organs, then returns to the right atrium through the venae cavae. The small circulation, for its part, allows the blood to reoxygenate on contact with the pulmonary alveoli.
Why does it deteriorate over time?
With age, the walls of the veins naturally lose their elasticity, making venous return less efficient. Endothelial function (the ability of veins to produce nitric oxide) gradually deteriorates, primarily due to oxidative stress which inactivates nitric oxide.
Aggravating factors: sedentary lifestyle, heat, hormones
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main aggravating factors. Being sedentary means spending more than 7 hours a day in a seated position. This immobility hinders venous return and causes blood to be stored in the lower body. According to the WHO, 31% of the world's population does not practice enough physical activity.
Why is heat a problem? It dilates the veins, promoting blood stagnation. We understand better why circulatory problems often worsen in summer or during prolonged exposure to the sun!
Hormonal fluctuations, especially in women, also play an important role. Certain female hormones cause veins to dilate, increasing the risk of venous insufficiency during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause.
Recognize the signs of poor circulation
Before discovering grandmother's remedies to stimulate your circulation, you need to know how to identify the signals that your body sends you. And these signals should definitely not be ignored!
Heavy legs and swelling
That feeling of heavy legs at the end of the day? It is often the very first sign of poor blood circulation. This heaviness is explained by the accumulation of blood in the veins of the lower limbs, which creates abnormal pressure.
Swollen ankles, especially when you come home from work, also indicate poor venous return. This phenomenon, called edema, results from stagnation of fluid in the tissues when venous pressure becomes too high.
Tingling and cramping
We all know this unpleasant feeling! Tingling occurs when tissues do not receive enough oxygen due to slowed circulation. These paresthesias generally appear at night or at rest.
As for nighttime cramps, they mainly affect the calves and are aggravated by dehydration. They often signal circulatory insufficiency which does not allow metabolic waste such as lactic acid to be properly eliminated.
Visible varicose veins and veins
Veins that become prominent under the skin indicate excessive venous pressure. Varicose veins, these dilated and tortuous veins, affect women more frequently than men. They develop when the venous valves no longer function properly, preventing blood from flowing efficiently to the heart.
Small burst vessels near the surface of the skin, called telangiectasias, also indicate vascular fragility.
Cold feet and muscle fatigue
Constantly cold feet, even in hot weather? This signals that blood is not reaching the extremities properly. This sensation is often accompanied by discoloration of the skin which may become whitish or bluish.
Premature muscle fatigue during physical exertion reveals insufficient blood supply to the muscles. Your legs then seem to “give up” after a short period of walking, forcing you to take frequent breaks.
Recognize these symptoms? This is the first step to acting effectively! Fortunately, many grandmother's remedies can relieve these daily inconveniences.
The best grandmother's remedies to activate circulation
Faced with the inconvenience of poor circulation, our ancestors had developed simple and effective solutions! Discover these natural remedies that have proven themselves over generations.
1. The cold shower
A cold shower (15-20°C) stimulates your circulation by causing vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation of the vessels. The trick? Finish your daily shower with a jet of cold water from the ankles to the shoulders for an immediate toning effect!
2. Apple cider vinegar as a rub or drink
Rich in potassium, apple cider vinegar promotes the elimination of sodium and improves blood circulation. Purely rubbed on the legs, it instantly refreshes and relieves. For internal consumption? Dilute 1-3 teaspoons in a glass of water before meals.
3. Draining teas and herbal teas
Some green teas and infusions have particularly interesting effects in combating poor blood circulation because they are rich in antioxidants. This is particularly the case for our draining herbal tea which, enriched with dandelion extract, promotes water elimination and reduces fluid retention. This helps relieve heavy legs caused by edema.
4. Epsom salt foot bath
The magnesium sulfate contained in Epsom salt activates vasodilation and improves blood flow. Our advice: dilute 1-2 tablespoons in a basin of lukewarm water and immerse your feet for 15-20 minutes. A moment of relaxation guaranteed!
5. Leg elevation
Place your legs above the level of your heart for 15-20 minutes to facilitate venous return thanks to gravity. This simple position helps blood flow more easily and reduces swelling. Easy and effective!
6. Massage with cypress or peppermint oil
Cypress essential oil strengthens vein walls while peppermint provides a refreshing sensation. Mix 2-3 drops with vegetable oil and massage from bottom to top. A well-being gesture to adopt!
7. The green clay poultice
Green clay in a 2-3 cm thick poultice decongests the tissues and stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation. Apply directly to the skin for one hour. Patience and efficiency!
8. Dry brushing
This technique consists of using a brush on dry skin, without product, in circular movements from the feet towards the heart. This daily 10-15 minute gesture stimulates the lymphatic system and improves cellular oxygenation.
9. Walking barefoot
Walking without shoes activates the reflex zones in the feet and improves blood and lymphatic circulation. This practice also strengthens the leg and back muscles, avoiding the “heavy legs” effect. Natural and revitalizing!
Plants and essential oils to favor
Phytotherapy offers a real natural pharmacy to improve your blood circulation! These grandmother's remedies, now validated by modern science, act directly on the blood vessels.
The red vine and the horse chestnut tree
The red vine? A treasure of nature! This plant contains flavonoids and anthocyanosides with vasculoprotective effects similar to vitamin P. Its extracts have demonstrated their effectiveness in the treatment of venous insufficiency during clinical trials. We'll take it!
Horse chestnut, for its part, contains aescin and aesculoside which protect and stimulate the walls of the veins while reducing edema and inflammation. A perfect match for your legs!
Arnica and witch hazel
Arnica stimulates microcirculation by acting on the capillaries. It also helps reduce swelling in the legs. Witch hazel, nicknamed "witches' hazel", contains a wide variety of tannins and flavonoids with vasculoprotective properties recognized by the WHO for the treatment of varicose veins. Impressive !
Peppermint, cypress and camphor
Cypress essential oil, rich in α-pinene, strengthens the vein walls and stimulates venous return. The benefits of peppermint cause local vasodilation and an immediate feeling of freshness. Studies have shown that it can increase brachial blood flow by up to 15% after regular application. You can therefore opt for the refreshing herbal tea Be Cool to improve your blood circulation.