Increasing peripheral circulation

[Yeti101]

I am looking for something to treat poor peripheral circulation. Basically as soon as the temperature drops below 17 C I start to go white & blue around the edges and get 'dead' fingers & toes. I think it's some sort of inherited thing as many of my direct family have similar problems, though I have noticed that it is better since I gave up the cig's.

Either way I need something that might help the blood to get where it's supposed to be going. I tried Ginko some years back, but it made me feel weird, so something other than that would be good.

[mark80]

I am looking for something to treat poor peripheral circulation. Basically as soon as the temperature drops below 17 C I start to go white & blue around the edges and get 'dead' fingers & toes. I think it's some sort of inherited thing as many of my direct family have similar problems, though I have noticed that it is better since I gave up the cig's.

Either way I need something that might help the blood to get where it's supposed to be going. I tried Ginko some years back, but it made me feel weird, so something other than that would be good.

Exercise. and keep warm, anything thats a vasodilator will porbably work such as nitroglycerione (easily made), caffiene whcih should prevent the break down of adrelaine hence stimuklate the sypathetic system and increase vasodilation to the perpeheries.

Edited May 5, 2008 by mark80

[ramon]

Alcohol alway does it to me and when I was homebrewing homemade alcoholic gingerbeer had a very pronounced vasodilatiotary effect

[Teotzlcoatl]

I was TOTALLY going to say Gingko...

Try it again... and see if it works for you, now.

I'm trying to think of something esle....

Umm...

.....possibly Myrrh ~ Commiphora molmol?

Edited May 5, 2008 by Teotz'

[mark80]

I was TOTALLY going to say Gingko...

Try it again... and see if it works for you, now.

I'm trying to think of something esle....

Umm...

Maybe Ephedra? or possibly Myrrh ~ Commiphora molmol?

i am pretty sure ephedra si a vasoconstricot hence don;'t use it with high bp, its also used to terminate erections that go on to long as it constricts the artieris supplying the penis.

[Teotzlcoatl]

Then I stand corrected.

[Teljkon]

sdfgsdf

Edited December 19, 2021 by Teljkon

[planthelper]

the problem is that, if you take something which expans your blood vessels, in the moment they stopp working, the effects can be worse than before. sort of like a pendulum, swinging the other side. maybe something simple as halve of a slow release aspirin might to the trick... selenicereus (spell?) might be another herbal you could look into, once you have a diagnose.

this definately needs to be proper diagnosed by a specialist doctor, and than you take it from there.

when i researched a similar subject (chest pain/ angina) some sources said that using the nitro spray often reduces it's effectivness, meaning it's use could be counter productive in the long term.

[t st tantra]

vinpocetine

t s t .

[devance]

It actually very common and the only way I know is warming the exstremitys.

In my case the feet.

In the U.S. vinpocetine is just a herbal supplement.

I got some right now. 5mg

and have for years.

Says may help memory and concentration.

Supposedly increases blood flow to the brain.

Don't think it does.

So I don't think its a legal or illegal cure all.

Start drinking alot of fresh carrot juice.

Or just canned.

Or any type of coloured veg or fruit juice.

[Yeti101]

Thanks everyone, there's plenty for me to think about. I already get plenty of exercise and eat pretty well. I think the point about making things worse is a good one and I'll keep it in mind. And yes, I should see a MD about this at some stage, even though I'm sure he will just tell me to go home and buy more woolen socks.

[Conan Troutman]

Exercise. and keep warm, anything thats a vasodilator will porbably work such as nitroglycerione (easily made), caffiene whcih should prevent the break down of adrelaine hence stimuklate the sypathetic system and increase vasodilation to the perpeheries.

make your own nitroglycerin?..

yeh actually making contact explosives at home could be a sure fire way to increase circulation,

maybe a bit drastic but I like you thinking..

p.s> I knows it is used therapuetically.

[Conan Troutman]

a bit more on topic

Most nootropics are beleived to enhance blood in some way.

also Forskolin, from Plectranthus may also have some properties you seek.

[mark80]

That girls kinda cute.

Actaully properly made nitroglycerine is quite safe to handle. The shit you see on tv is false one drop will not detonate from being touched. the only explsoive i know that is that senstive nitrogen triodide. Don't beileve me lok it up in urbanski vol 1 or 2. Nitrogylcerin actaully had to be hit preety hard witha hammer on concreate block for me to get a detonation. A friend in soveot russia makes it using a magnetic strier.

nitroglycerine is made by battery acid, a fertliser and glycerine is you buy in the shops.

[Yeti101]

Making things that go 'bang', ah that takes me back to my high school days

I'm well aware of how (in theory at least) to make nitro-glycerine, but I might stick to ginko and warm socks if it's all the same.

[MindExpansion]

Yeti101, see a doctor would be my suggestion.

If it is something serious (Which it could be as poor circulation can be caused by many different things from hormonal imbalances to blockages of arteries and veins to iron deficiencies which would be quite possible i think). Vasodilaters will all do the job but at the same time they might not be a safe option if your blood pressure is a bit out of whack or you have any other underlying issues of a cardiovascular nature. Id say see a MD and if they say your fine and just to go put on some socks then you can try natural remedies. Just my opinion though.

Peace,

Mind

[Guest Øskorei]

Fuck, a doctor ? They're all pretty fucking useless in my parts unless you want to a) be shunted to a specialist mate of the GP's so the GP can get a kickback or b.) be prescribed a totally inappropriate prescription that might pop into his/her head.

I also suffer from this sort of thing, so I'm keen on following this thread. I have put this down to smoking too much (sounds plausible, as you mention it easing a bit when you gave up), and last winter started taking 1/2 an aspirin each morning, which seemed to ease the shivers-to-the-bone, the 'dead' extremities etc. Not too keen on repeating the method this year though, being a little wary of regular long term use of pills. Just bought a big bag of powdered Tribulus as well, as I suspect this may provide increased circulatory levels.

Edited May 12, 2008 by Øskorei

[Torsten]

Fuck, a doctor ? They're all pretty fucking useless in my parts

Agreed as far as treatment goes, but for dianosis a doc can be a very good idea. For example, a doc will probably immediately tell Yeti that he's got primary or secondary Raynaud's and he'd probably be right. As far as treatment goes, that's where the doc isn't going to be too helpful.

Bottom line is that you will need to avoid anything that increases vasoconstriction, including stimulants [tea/coffee/caffeine, speed, mdma], stress, fear, and even excitement. Yes, adrenaline is the main factor in all this and the best way to control raynauds is to control adrenaline. If you have an adrenaline disorder [anxiety, depression, hypoglycemia, stress, PTSD, etc etc] then the first step would be to get that under control. If you don't have an adrenaline problem then it is primary and you are better off with a specialist.

I've often wondered if niacin might help with raynauds. Niacin opens the capillaries in the skin and gives a hot flushed feeling, ie the opposite of raynauds. At the very least it might ber a way to quickly resolve the symptoms after being exposed to cold so that no tissue damage occurs. I used to take niacin after skiing to warm up my nose, ears and fingertips. It takes about 5 minutes on an empty tummy.

[mark80]

adrenaline is a sypathetic realse which means it would only vao consrict the para smpathetic system but open up the sympsthetic.... rught?

[coin]

autogenic training / biofeedback can be used to warm hands, etc...warming the hands is one of the first ways this is learned and at the same time it induces relaxation (or vice versa, but the focus is the hands)

[Yeti101]

For example, a doc will probably immediately tell Yeti that he's got primary or secondary Raynaud's and he'd probably be right.

I did see a doctor when I was young about this, and based on my symptoms and the hereditary connection he diagnosed primary Raynaud's, though I never had any tests so it's not 100% certain. There was no mention of stress or things like caffeine (though to be fair I didn't much like coffee when I was 12).

I also talked with my immunology teacher at TAFE years ago who gave me this great story about cryo-globulins. He also failed to mention what now appears to be the most common cause, but he was an immune system researcher, not an MD.

My worry with this was that it is getting worse as time goes on and I assumed that there was some sort of progression going on. Now that I actually know about the adrenalin connection (How did I miss that? Good thing I'm not a doctor!) it makes more sense - even though I've stopped smoking, I drink more coffee and am generally much more stressed than I've ever been previously in my life.

However, I'm still going to chase this up with a professional. My work is putting on 'Healthy Heart' checks next week, so I can then at least rule out some possible cardiac related causes (hopefully). I'm also keen to give Niacin a go.

[MindExpansion]

I see that some dont think doctors are useful but i personally disagree...

Check it with your doctor mate cause if something else is going wrong or if it is the Raynauds that is getting worse, there may be something else compounding the Raynauds. IMHO it would be well worthwhile, and who knows, they may well...and probably will have some treatment for you.

Peace,

Mind

[mark80]

It appears torsten was right, again, so sorry. increased adrealine does increase blood to the perpeheries but only to the muscle and not to the skin (as that is paraspymathetic inveration). Howveevr thats only if its reynauds and not cappilary occulusion because of muscular distress (localised shivvering) which is common as well.

[transDiMenTional]

Yes, adrenaline is the main factor in all this and the best way to control raynauds is to control adrenaline. If you have an adrenaline disorder [anxiety, depression, hypoglycemia, stress, PTSD, etc etc] then the first step would be to get that under control.

This is some v interesting stuff! My gf and her family all suffer from poor peripheral cirulation and all suffer from anxiety! Ginko seemed to only increase the anxiety aswell.

thanks

[Maurice]

Hawthorn berry is as good as it gets for heart and peripheral circulation.

There are trees everywhere on the Monaro, I've just made my winter Hawthorn syrup,

Here is the recipe and dosage-

Fresh berries picked after some frosts, just cover with water in pot and simmer for 1-2 hours,

strain (cheese cloth), then add 2kg sugar to 1 litre liquid, and bottle and label in sterilized jars.

Dosage is up to 5 tablespoons per day, and needs to be used on a daily basis for several months.

If you don't have access to fresh berries, next best is to get a fluid extract from herbalsit.