Natural health for the circulatory system

The circulatory system--by which i mean the veins, arteries, and the little tiny things that connect them-- is one of the most complex and vital systems in the body. It contains tens of thousands of miles of tiny passageways, leading the nourishing and sustaining blood to every part of the body. The pulse which flows through it is synonymous with life itself.

A weak or irregularly functioning circulatory system can cause all sorts of problems. Too little circulation can result coldness or numbness of the extremities, and difficulty or inability to heal injuries. Too much pressure in the circulatory system-- such as during a migraine or in a case of high blood pressure-- can cause all sorts of pain and suffering, and is very common. Weak or inelastic blood vessels can result in everything from bruises to strokes and aneurisms. 

Probably the most important thing for good circulation, is maintaining an adequate level of hydration. Water not only provides the fluid volume for the circulatory system, it also helps to regulate the levels of electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium) and cleanse waste products from the system. An adequate supply of protein, and mineral rich vegetables is also a requirement for prolonged circulatory health. 

There are various natural remedies that are nourishing and tonifying to the circulatory tissues in the body. The one (actually two) that i use most often in my practice, is a combination of the extracts of nettle (Urtica dioeca) leaf and Mallow (althea officinalis) root. Nettle helps to give strength to the blood vessels, and mallow helps to provide elasticity. This is a nutritive treatment that takes a long time to work in some cases, but can be extremely healing to an aging or damaged circulatory system.

in cases of collapsed blood vessels, such as varicose veins, herbal remedies such as black walnut extarct or oak bark extract can be helpful internally, and horse chestnut can be helpful externally.

Inflammation in the circulatory system is not uncommon, and can be helped with the same sorts of antiinflamatories (such as ginger or curcuma) that work elsewhere in the body.

In some cases, such as in people who have elevated blood pressure, the circulatory system can be aided by other organs and systems in the body, such as the kidneys.


Because of the nutritive and strengthening effects that natural remedies can have, they can be very good for the circulatory system. Circulatory issues are much easier to prevent than they are to treat once they have taken hold, so it's important to care for the circulatory system while it is healthy, in order to enjoy a long and healthy life.