A-Z circulation support Articles

What Is Butcher's Broom?

Butcher’s broom contains two molecules that look like the fluid balancing and anti-inflammatory hormones that are made in the adrenal gland. Thus this herb stimulates hormone receptors as the body's own hormones would.

Important Health Benefits of Butcher's Broom

This herbs fluid balancing and anti-inflammatory actions help with conditions where fluid is interfering with nerve function, such as a carpal tunnel or Meniere’s syndrome. It also decreases fluid buildup in tissues, which is called edema, and vessels. This herb contains many nutrients like rutin, a bioflavonoid that decreases the permeability of vessels and increases vessel strength. Thus its content treats conditions such as hemorrhoids or varicose veins because causes fluid buildup and they occur due to compromised veins and capillaries. Its anti-inflammatory properties have made it helpful for inflammatory conditions like arthritis.

Butcher's Broom Supplement Varieties

Butcher’s broom can be used as an encapsulated herb, dried plant or tincture. It may be found in combinations that target venous congestion. The bioflavonoids, rutin, will work most effectively when this herb is taken in combination with vitamin C and bioflavonoids.

Cautions & Considerations

While there is no standard dosing for this supplement, it's best to follow labelling directions on your supplement of choice. Clinical doses may be higher, but should only be taken under the guidance of your healthcare practitioner. 

Known as a popular spice in the kitchen, cayenne pepper can also be taken as a supplement due to its many health benefits. Cayenne, also known as red pepper or hot pepper, can be applied topically for its pain relieving properties which activate nerve endings to produce counter-irritation, which distracts the brain from the painful stimuli.

Medicinal Properties of Cayenne Pepper Supplements

Cayenne pepper supplements can be used to help rheumatism, arthritis (osteo and rheumatoid), neuropathies, itching and frostbite. Cayenne increases circulation, both centrally and in the extremities. It does this by activating type “C’ neurons.

These neurons increase the contractility of the heart and dilate vessels. Cayenne’s circulatory effects are helpful for diabetic circulatory compromise, Meniere’s disease, heart disease and low blood pressure. In the stomach cayenne increases blood flow, decreases stomach spasms and causes a minor irritation of the stomach lining. This irritation is actually helpful because it stimulates the secretion of acid-protective mucus, which can heal ulcers.

Shopping For Quality Cayenne Pepper Supplements & Spices

Cayenne can be purchased as a spice in the grocery store for use in cooking. It can also be purchased at your health food store as an encapsulated powder or tincture. The strength of cayenne in the spice aisle is variable and depends on the initial quality of the herb and how long ago it was processed as the active ingredients in cayenne degrade over time.

Encapsulated powder or tinctures can be purchased as a standardized product, which assures that active ingredients are in the pepper and that you are taking in the same medicinal amount with each dose. Topically cayenne can be found in creams, salves and rubs, some of which are also standardized.

Cautions To Consider When Using Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne is an eye, wound and mucous membrane irritant so use caution when handling cayenne creams, salves, tinctures or open cayenne capsules. Cayenne decreases blood clotting and should not be used by those who are taking blood thinning medications or aspirin. Because cayenne increases circulation it can adversely affect blood pressure and may decrease the effectiveness of blood pressure medication. Cayenne may also alter the effect of the MAO inhibitor psychiatric drugs.

Cold temperatures and stress can have a significant impact on circulation, especially for those dealing with raynaud's syndrome. Episodes of discomfort, numbness, and changes in skin colour can interfere with daily life and make colder months particularly challenging. Supporting healthy blood flow and overall vascular health is an important part of managing symptoms naturally.

In this article, nutritional support and natural approaches that may help improve circulation and promote greater comfort. 

What Is Raynaud's Syndrome?

Raynaud’s is classified as a vasospastic disorder, meaning blood vessels tighten or go into spasm, causing vessel constriction. This condition causes discolouration of the fingers and toes and can involve other areas of the body, as well. As a result of poor blood flow to these areas, the skin will become excessively pale or purple in colour, and the nails will often become brittle and develop ridges. Chronic or recurrent cases can lead to atrophy of the skin and subcutaneous tissue in affected areas.

Raynaud’s includes Raynaud’s disease, which is considered idiopathic(of no known origin), or Raynaud’s phenomenon or syndrome, in which there is a known causal factor (often connective tissue disorders, such as Lupus). These conditions are also known as primary and secondary Raynaud’s, respectively.

Symptoms of Raynaud's Syndrome

When subject to the cold, or often triggered at times of stress, blood supply to the fingers and toes decreases (rarely, this condition can also affect the nose and earlobes), causing the skin to become white and eventually purple or blue, cold and numb or painful. Raynaud’s is episodic, meaning that the above symptoms will subside. As blood flow returns to the affected area, the skin becomes warm and red. Often, there will be some minor swelling, as well as potential ‘pins and needles’ like pain.

What Causes Raynaud's?

Raynaud's Disease

Raynaud’s disease occurs in isolation and cannot be associated with other diseases. It is most common in young women in their late teens and early 20’s, leading many to believe that there is a hormonal component to its development. Smoking puts this group at an even higher risk, as does caffeine. It is possible that Raynaud’s disease has a hereditary component, although no one gene has been isolated at this point.

Raynaud's Phenomenon

Raynaud’s phenomenon is caused by a preexisting condition. When compared to Raynaud’s disease, Raynaud’s phenomenon is less common, but often more severe in nature, and tends to appear slightly later than Primary Raynaud’s, commonly diagnosed in women in their 40’s.

Secondary Raynaud's

• Scleroderma
• Lupus (SLE)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sjogren's syndrome
• Diseases of the arteries
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Chemical exposure
• Thyroid gland disorders
• Certain medications — including beta blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure; migraine medications that contain ergotamine; medications containing estrogen; certain chemotherapy agents; and drugs that cause blood vessels to narrow, such as some over-the-counter (OTC) cold medications- have been linked to Raynaud's.

Natural Raynaud's Syndrome Support

Exercise is a great way to improve circulation, as well as reduce stress, if stress is a trigger for an attack. If you live in a colder climate, make sure to protect your hands and feet, especially during the colder months. Loss of sensation can also mean that injury can go undetected, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear and avoid injury to your hands and feet. Do not wear anything that will constrict blood flow to the affected areas, further compromising circulation.

If stress is an issue, building a ‘stress maintenance regime’ is going to be especially important for you. Massage, meditation, yoga (all of which also help increase circulation), and journaling are all good options for stress reduction and coping.