Home Remedies to Treat Cold Hands and Feet

Experiencing cold feet is normal from time to time. Changes in temperature, as well as health and lifestyle choices, are some of the most common causes of cold feet, and adjusting these factors will usually help you to relieve symptoms.

There can be a variety of reasons for cold feet, from winter temperatures to poor circulation and nerve disorders. Causes of cold feet include:

  • Being in a state of high stress or anxiety. One of the body’s natural responses to stress or nervousness is to pump adrenaline into the bloodstream.
  • Circulation issues are a very common cause of cold feet. A person with poor circulation will often struggle to get enough warm blood to their extremities, and may complain of cold hands and cold feet frequently.
  • Moderate to severe cases of anaemia may cause cold feet. Anaemia usually responds well to changes in diet and supplements.
  • People with diabetes may be at risk of circulation problems, such as cold feet or hands.
  • Other nerve disorders may also be the cause of regular cold feet. Nerve damage may be caused by trauma or injury, such as severe frostbite, or may be due to an underlying medical condition, e.g. Raynaud’s syndrome.
  • Hypothyroidism is caused by an underactive thyroid gland, producing a low level of thyroid hormone, which has a negative impact on the body’s metabolism.

Apart from coldness, you may also experience numbness, open sores or tightened skin, and tingling in the limbs. Here are some easy remedies to treat cold hands and feet naturally:

Cayenne Pepper

Sprinkle about a ½ teaspoon of crushed cayenne pepper in your gloves and socks and wear them. The presence of capsaicin compound in it improves the blood circulation in the body and helps keep hands and feet warm. Alternatively, use cream that contains cayenne pepper.
Note: Wear a thin pair of gloves and socks before putting on the sprinkled one.

Ginger Root

Ginger root not only enhances the flavour of the food and prevents the blood clots, but also provides warmth to the body. It can be used in 2 ways to treat the cold hands and feet – first is to bathe with the warm ginger water and, second, drinking hot ginger tea

Garlic

Garlic is one of the most trustworthy remedies to get relief from cold feet and hand. Consume 4-5 garlic cloves regularly to get the desired results.

Omega-3 Rich Food

Omega-3 fatty acid is very helpful in cleaning the arteries and keeping the blood circulatory system in good condition. Try eating more and more food rich in it like fish, mackerel, herring, salmon, etc.

Iron-Rich Food

Deficiency of iron is one of the causes of anaemia, which results in cold hands and feet. So, to fight iron deficiency, eat a lot of iron-rich food like dates, spinach, soybeans, apple, olives, dried apricots, oysters, etc.

Magnesium-Rich Food

You are most likely to suffer from cold feet and hands due to the deficiency of magnesium as it is the nutrient which helps the body absorb Vitamin D. Body cannot store magnesium for long, so it is advised to take a diet rich in magnesium which includes spinach, broccoli, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and almonds.

Do’s

  • Take a balanced diet full of nutrients to have a healthy circulation.
  • Protect your hands and feet from winter chills by wearing woollen gloves and socks, respectively.
  • Keep wiggling your toes to improvise the blood circulation.
  • Tuck your hands inside the clothing of your warm areas like belly, armpit, etc.
  • Practice various kinds of relaxation techniques to relieve stress.
  • Quit alcohol else it will make the blood thinner.

Don’ts

  • Avoid the intake of caffeine as it compresses the blood vessels.
  • Do not smoke as it decreases the blood flow and damages the blood vessels.
  • Do not wear tight-fitting shoes or wristbands.
  • Do not touch the cold objects directly, either wear gloves or use tongs.
  • Avoid raw and ice-cold food items.

Read Part 1 on this topic here

Article by:

Oyster Shells & Dragon Bone – Chinese Medicine

Dr Leela Klein (TCM)

M:  0421 283 442 

leela@shellsandbones.com.au I www.shellsandbones.com.au

Kundalini House