Poor Circulation In The Limbs

Last Updated on September 29, 2021 by Smart Life Picks

Poor Circulation In The Limbs

Poor circulation in the limbs is a problem that can affect a person of any age. The first place any circulatory problem may become apparent is in the feet and legs. Symptoms may include more noticeable vascular veins, cold feet, swelling ankles, and discolored skin. Consequently, taking care of the feet and legs is of the utmost importance as we get older.

Circulatory problems can also be associated with diabetes, tissue breakdown, and leg ulceration. Exercise, good eating habits, and reducing cholesterol levels are all part of keeping our vascular network system in good working order, while taking care of dry and fragile skin on the legs and feet can help avoid ulceration.

A major factor that often goes unnoticed is how stress affects circulation. Stress produces a hormone called cortisol that is good in small quantities but that can have a destructive impact when stress is continual.

Preventive measures include exercise — walking or jogging depending on how fit you are, cycling if you can manage it, and golf and tennis. Cut out dietary fats, and start eating a mainly plant-based diet — limiting red meats and other acid-forming foods. 

Good nutritional supplements would be those that contain hawthorn berry (Crataegus oxyacantha), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), turmeric (Curcuma longa), and cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum, C. frutescens). The vitamins E, D, and C, selenium and beta-carotene, and an omega 3 supplement can all help. Plus, if you have digestive concerns take a daily probiotic supplement. 

Eat oily fish while reducing red and processed meats, and add more fruits and vegetables into the diet, as well as whole grains, pulses, seeds, and nuts. Try cutting out refined white sugar altogether — substituting it with unrefined brown sugar, crystallized coconut, agave sweetener, organic honey, or maple syrup.

Using essential oils and massage helps the circulation, as does hydrotherapy, the use of alternate hot-and cold-water treatments.

Essential Oils For Circulation

• Marjoram, sweet (Origanum majorana)
• Galbanum (Ferula galbaniflua)
• Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
• Basil linalol (Ocimum basilicum ct. linalool)
• Cubeb (Piper cubeba)
• Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
• Black pepper (Piper nigrum)
• Cinnamon leaf (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
• Clove bud (Syzygium aromaticum)
• Immortelle (Helichrysum italicum)
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
• Niaouli (Melaleuca quinquenervia)

Foot And Leg Massage Oil

This massage oil is specifically for use on the feet and legs for those with poor circulation in these areas:

• Black pepper 3 drops
• Geranium 10 drops
• Clove bud 2 drops
• Basil linalol 4 drops

Blend together, then dilute in 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of a light carrier oil such as sweet almond oil. Apply a small amount and massage over the feet first, then gently massage up the back of the leg to behind the knee on one leg, and then do the same with the other leg. 

Then repeat the whole process, always making sure you massage upward toward the thigh.

Some people have very dry, delicate skin that could split with the slightest bump. 

This type of skin benefits from being moisturized every day to help the skin remain supple. There are three carrier oil choices below for the foot and leg delicate skin massage oil blend.

Foot And Leg Massage Blend For Dry, Delicate Skin

• Geranium 5 drops
• Chamomile german 5 drops
• Lavender 5 drops

Dilute these quantities into 3 tablespoons (45 mL) of carrier oil — either jojoba, avocado, meadowsweet, or a combination of all three carrier oils. Apply a small amount every day, massaging the oil into the feet and legs, always upward toward the heart. This blend could also be added to 1½ oz. (45 g) of an unscented vitamin E cream base.

General Body Oil

Body massage always helps increase circulation, but the massage should be gentle rather than overly vigorous. Always massage, or simply apply, in the direction of the heart.

• Immortelle 8 drops
• Marjoram, sweet 4 drops
• Ginger 3 drops
• Lavender 2 drops
• Basil linalol 2 drops

Blend the essential oils together, then add to 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of carrier oil, and use a small amount for each massage. To make enough for an individual massage, add 3 drops to a teaspoon (5 mL) of carrier oil.

Foot Bath And Hand Bath

Although this might seem a little odd, hand and foot baths can help increase circulation. Use the General Body Oil essential oil blend above, adding 3 drops to a bowl of comfortably warm water with some small round pebbles placed on the bottom. Put your feet into the bowl and gently roll the soles of your feet over the pebbles.

If you’re suffering from bad circulation in the hands, fill two small bowls with warm water and add 1 drop of the essential oil blend above into each bowl, then put a hand in each and leave them there for three minutes. If the water gets too cold, just top off with a little hot water. It’s even better if you can use both the foot and hand baths simultaneously.

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