Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Herbal Tea For Circulation Problems

In the modern age of big medical bills, many consumers are choosing cheaper home remedies. Some of the most prominent choices in this regard are herbal remedies, which use natural ingredients that have been used for medicinal purposes since antiquity. Heartburn, insomnia, headaches, cold and flu, and even circulation problems have accepted herbal treatments, most often administered in tea form.


Causes


Numerous causes contribute to circulation problems. Among the most common causes of poor circulation is hypertension. Hypertension is caused by the accumulation of plaque (cholesterol) in the arteries, which makes the veins stiffen and tighten, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood and raising blood pressure.


A lack of frequent physical exercise is a common contributor to circulation problems. Exercise not only works your muscles but also your circulatory system, and just like muscles, without regular exertion, they will begin to weaken and loose elasticity.


Remedies


When it comes to herbal remedies, there are a number of commonly used ingredients that can help with circulatory problems. Ginko Biloba is a general circulation booster, working by gently relaxing the blood vessels. With more open blood vessels, circulation throughout the body improves. Ginko also can help to increase the elasticity and strength of the blood vessels.


Butcher's broom, a common evergreen shrub, can also be used for a circulation-promoting tea. Much like ginko biloba, butcher's broom dilates the blood vessels and strengthens them as well. Feverfew, another common herbal tea ingredient, prevents the aggregation of platelets, thus preventing small capillary blockages. Other helpful ingredients include ginger, arnica, ginseng and cayenne pepper.


Preparation


Gather your ingredients together into a mixture. Place water in a kettle to boil, and put one teaspoon of your herbal mixture into tea balls or tea sacks for each cup of water to brew. When the kettle whistles, remove it from heat and add the tea container, allowing it to steep for 10 minutes.


Other ingredients can be added to the mixture to enhance flavor or to remedy problems such as cold, flu or heart burn. Drink one cup two to four times per day, generally in the morning and again at mid-day.

Tags: blood vessels, circulation problems, herbal remedies, ingredients that