Foods & Herbs to Increase Venous Circulation
Venous insufficiency is a group of circulatory symptoms you may experience when the circulation in your veins has diminished. Edema and varicose veins are common conditions associated with poor venous circulation. A natural way you can improve your circulation is to incorporate foods like fish, whole grains and plenty of fruits and berries into your diet. Fruits and berries are important food groups because they contain dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals like zinc, vitamin E and vitamin C, plus antioxidants and bioflavonoids, which are known to stimulate your circulation.
Foods
Foods known to increase circulation include food groups high in fiber and foods packed with antioxidants and bioflavonoids. A healthy diet with adequate amounts of dietary fiber is believed to aid in poor circulation through the association between the digestive tract and blood circulation.
Include whole grains in your diet by consuming more high-fiber grains such as barley, buckwheat, oatmeal and brown rice. All fruits and vegetables are naturally high in fiber, plus they are natural sources of antioxidants and bioflavonoids.
include green tea, grapes, hawthorn berries, blueberries, pineapples, berries, dark chocolate, chilies, garlic, fish and olive oil. High antioxidant vegetables such as garlic and chilies, which are often used as spices in cooking, should be added to food regularly.
Antioxidant foods containing oligomeric procyanidins, a phytochemical present in only some antioxidant food groups believed to especially aid in strengthening vein elasticity, are red wine, dark chocolate, pine bark, cranberry, mulberry, bilberry, blueberry and grapes.
Foods high in bioflavonoids are green tea, red wine, legumes, onions, berries, citrus fruits and soy products, including lecithin.
Rutin, another special ingredient found in some bioflavonoid , is believed to aid in strengthening the vein walls and conditions of venous edema. Bioflavonoid foods high in Rutin include apricots, blueberries, cherries, citrus fruits, black tea, rose hip and buckwheat.
Herbs and Spices
Herbs associated with increasing venous circulation are ginkgo biloba, prickly ash bark, gota kola, and horse chestnut. Bilberry herb is high in antioxidants and is regarded as an excellent herbal treatment for venous insufficiencies.
Additional herbs with high levels of antioxidants include oregano, dill, rosemary, coriander, thyme and peppermint.
Herbs with high levels of bioflavonoids include rose hips, parsley, hawthorn berries, horsetail and the chervil herb.
Hot stimulating spices, differentiated from herbs, also aid in venous circulation. Stimulating spices known for increasing circulation are cayenne pepper, long pepper, ginger and turmeric.
Additional warm spices are cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and pepper corn. Spicy chai tea contains many of the traditional warm spices known to stimulate circulation.
Supplements
Taking daily supplements is another method of supplying nutrients that are not being adequately met through dietary intake alone. Supplements including vitamins and minerals like zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin E are important.
Antioxidants and bioflavonoids are recommended as a whole supplement, or taken individually along with other supplements.
Other supplements to include are lecithin, garlic compound, grapeseed oil, fish oil and a high-fiber supplement in capsule or shake form.
Supplements of stimulating spices or herbs, which help increase venous circulation through their respective stimulating properties, may be taken daily. Many health stores supply spice and herb supplements.
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