Poor Circulation

Why it works: What it does physiologically (short-term): Mechanical stimulation of the skin can increase local cutaneous blood flow for a short period (minutes) where you brush. For example, a s...

Instructions: These steps reflect dermatologist guidance for safe technique; they aim to minimize irritation and keep expectations realistic:. • Brush choice: Natural-bristle (plant fiber) brush...

Warnings: Skin conditions: Avoid if you have eczema, psoriasis, active dermatitis, acne lesions, sunburn, open...

Studies: There a no clinical trials show that dry brushing improves s...

Why it works: ?Poor circulation” can stem from different problems (e.g., atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease, Raynaud’s, diabetic microvascular issues, deconditioning). Agmatine has severa...

Instructions: There’s no approved indication or standardized regimen for circulation. Existing human dosing comes from pain/neuropathy studies, which you can use as a cautious reference if you a...

Warnings: Blood pressure & meds: Agmatine can lower BP; combining it with antihypertensives (including clonidi...

Studies: Human trials (not circulation-specific):Lumbar radiculopathy...

Why it works: Targets the venous problem, not arteries. In CVI, valves and vein walls don’t move blood back up the leg efficiently, causing pooling, heaviness, swelling and pain. MPFF (90% diosm...

Instructions: What form? Most evidence uses MPFF (brand examples: Daflon, Venixxa). Each 500-mg tablet contains ~450 mg diosmin + 50 mg flavonoids expressed as hesperidin (or a 1000-mg once-dail...

Warnings: Common side effects: usually mild—GI upset (nausea, diarrhoea), headache, skin rash/pruritus; discon...

Studies: Systematic review & meta-analysis of RCTs: MPFF signific...

Why it works: Vasomodulatory & antioxidant actions. Standardized Ginkgo leaf extracts (e.g., EGb 761) contain ~24% flavone glycosides and ~6% terpene lactones. The terpenes (ginkgolides, bilobal...

Instructions: Product/form: Choose a standardized leaf extract (often labeled EGb 761 or “standardized to ~24% flavone glycosides & ~6% terpene lactones”). Avoid seeds. Look for quality seals (e...

Warnings: Bleeding risk / drug interactions: Because Ginkgo can inhibit platelet function, it may increase ble...

Studies: Cochrane systematic review (2013 update): “No evidence that...

Why it works: The main active group is aescin (escin), triterpenoid saponins that appear to increase venous tone and reduce capillary filtration/leakage, which in turn can lessen edema (swelling...

Instructions: Use standardised seed extract only (raw plant parts are toxic—see warnings).. Typical oral dosing used in trials and monographs. • 300 mg HCSE twice daily (often standardised so ea...

Warnings: Never use raw horse chestnut (seed, bark, leaves, flowers)—they contain esculin, which is toxic. Onl...

Studies: Cochrane systematic review (17 RCTs): Short-term HCSE reduce...

Why it works: Venous/lymphatic tone & vasoconstriction. Steroidal saponins (ruscogenin, neoruscogenin) in butcher’s broom have venoconstrictive and “venotonic” effects thought to improve venous...

Instructions: Forms used in studies/monographs (standardized oral extracts):. • Many products are standardized by total ruscogenins (ruscogenin + neoruscogenin). EMA cites adult dosing standardi...

Warnings: Duration & medical review: If leg heaviness/edema persists >2 weeks while taking a Ruscus-only tradi...

Studies: Monotherapy RCT (Ruscus extract): Vanscheidt et al., multice...

Why it works: Antiplatelet effects (less “sticky” blood): Garlic’s sulfur compounds—especially ajoene and constituents in aged garlic extract (AGE)—inhibit platelet aggregation through several p...

Instructions: If you and your clinician decide to try garlic as an adjunct (not a replacement for prescribed therapy):. Preparation: Most clinical trials used Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) because i...

Warnings: Bleeding risk / surgery: Garlic (especially supplements) can increase bleeding risk due to antiplate...

Studies: PAD outcomes: Cochrane review (2013 update) of garlic for pe...

Why it works: Microcirculation & edema: Standardized Centella extracts (TECA/TTFCA) have repeatedly been shown to improve objective microcirculatory markers in CVI such as transcutaneous oxygen...

Instructions: Oral standardized extract (TECA/TTFCA):. • Typical studied dose: 60–120 mg/day (often 60 mg twice daily) for 6–12 weeks. Trials using these regimens reported improvements in leg he...

Warnings: Liver safety: Rare hepatotoxicity has been reported in case series; liver enzymes normalized after s...

Studies: Systematic review of RCTs (2013, 8 trials): Found statistica...

Why it works: Arterial side (PAD / claudication). • Repeated walking bouts increase shear stress on vessel walls → improves endothelial nitric-oxide–mediated vasodilation, collateral vessel grow...

Instructions: For PAD with intermittent claudication. Gold-standard: Supervised Exercise Therapy (SET). • Frequency & duration: 2 hours/week for ~3 months (often 3 sessions/week, 30–60 min each)...

Warnings: Get checked first if any of the following apply:. • Rest pain, non-healing ulcers, signs of critical...

Studies: Guidelines & consensus2024 ACC/AHA PAD Guideline: SET is...

Why it works: It boosts nitric oxide (NO) availability. Beetroot is rich in inorganic nitrate. Nitrate → nitrite (via oral bacteria) → nitric oxide in the body, which relaxes and widens blood ve...

Instructions: These instructions mirror dosing used in clinical/exercise studies that reliably deliver enough nitrate:. • Target dose: ~350–500 mg nitrate (≈6–8 mmol) per dose. This is commonly...

Warnings: Kidney stones (oxalate): Beetroot and beet juices can be high in oxalate (studies report ~60–70 mg/1...

Studies: Hypertension / systemic vascular effectsDouble-blind RCT: 68...

Why it works: Antiplatelet + antithrombotic effects: EPA/DHA can reduce platelet activation/aggregation and influence fibrinolysis—mechanisms that could improve microvascular flow. A small rando...

Instructions: Food first. • Aim for ~2 servings of oily fish/week (e.g., salmon, sardines, herring). This aligns with cardiology guidance and delivers ~1–1.5 g/week of EPA+DHA per serving patter...

Warnings: Atrial fibrillation (AF) risk: Several analyses (including trial and observational data) associate h...

Studies: Peripheral artery disease (PAD / intermittent claudication)S...

Why it works: Vasodilation & endothelial support. Hawthorn leaf/flower extracts are rich in oligomeric procyanidins and flavonoids that can stimulate nitric-oxide–mediated, endothelium-dependent...

Instructions: If you and your clinician decide to try hawthorn, these are the forms and doses used in regulated monographs and trials:. • Choose a standardized leaf/flower extract. The best-docu...

Warnings: Early worsening signal in one RCT. In HERB-CHF, a post-hoc analysis suggested a transient early incr...

Studies: Cochrane review (2008, still referenced): Pooled double-blin...

Why it works: Turmeric’s main polyphenol, curcumin, has several vascular actions that could be relevant to sluggish blood flow:. • Improves endothelial function (artery lining) in some trials, i...

Instructions: There is no established medical dose for “poor circulation.” Human vascular studies used specific standardized products and timeframes:. • Longvida® curcumin 2,000 mg/day for 12 we...

Warnings: Authoritative safety sources stress caution, especially with “enhanced bioavailability” products:. •...

Studies: Positive or suggestive findingsHealthy middle-aged/older adu...

Why it works: Direct fibrin “clot-dissolving” activity. Nattokinase (a serine protease from natto) breaks down fibrin (the meshwork of clots) and can enhance fibrinolysis in vivo, which may impr...

Instructions: Dose form & standardization: Most trials used branded nattokinase extracts standardized by fibrinolytic units (FU) rather than milligrams. A very common study dose is 2,000 FU/day...

Warnings: Bleeding risk / drug interactions: Because it has fibrinolytic/antithrombotic actions, avoid combini...

Studies: Blood pressureHypertension Research 2008 (Korea): Double-bli...

Why it works: Mechanism (local vasodilation): Capsaicin activates TRPV1 on sensory C-fibers → release of vasodilator neuropeptides (notably CGRP) → a short-lived increase in dermal blood flow at...

Instructions: Over-the-counter creams/gels (0.025%–0.1% capsaicin). • Apply a pea-sized amount to the intact skin over the symptomatic area up to 3–4 times daily; expect a burning/warmth that le...

Warnings: Skin irritation/burning/cough/eye or airway irritation are common with topical use—usually lessen ov...

Studies: Proven local physiological effectMultiple human studies show...

Why it works: TCM rationale. XFZYT’s classical actions are to invigorate the blood, dispel stasis, move Qi, unblock channels, and relieve pain. This matches the TCM pattern behind “poor circulat...

Instructions: Classical decoction (from Wang Qing-ren’s Yi Lin Gai Cuo lineage; typical 11-herb recipe): peach kernel (Tao Ren), safflower (Hong Hua), Dang Gui, Sheng Di Huang, Chuan Xiong, Chi...

Warnings: Pregnancy & active bleeding: avoid. XFZYT contains blood-invigorating herbs (e.g., Tao Ren and Hong...

Studies: Human evidence (mostly China-based; quality variable, often...

Why it works: ?Poor circulation” usually means micro-/macro-vascular problems (sluggish microcirculation, endothelial dysfunction, blood stasis, neuropathy, sequelae of stroke). BHD is a classic...

Instructions: Classical composition (from Wang Qingren’s Yilin Gaicuo):. Huang Qi 120 g; Dang Gui 6 g; Chi Shao 6 g (some sources 4.5 g); Chuan Xiong 3 g; Tao Ren 3 g; Hong Hua 3 g; Di Long 3 g....

Warnings: Because BHD “invigorates blood” and contains Tao Ren (peach kernel) and Hong Hua (safflower)—plus hi...

Studies: Systematic reviews & meta-analyses in stroke recovery:20...

Why it works: What’s in it & how it’s delivered. • A standardized combo of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) + Panax notoginseng (Sanqi/Notoginseng) with borneol (an absorption enhancer). The drippi...

Instructions: Typical adult dosing used on product labeling/retail pack:. • 10 pills per dose, 3 times daily, taken orally or sublingually; commonly packaged as 27 mg per pill. A typical course...

Warnings: Because CDDP has antiplatelet/anticoagulant-like effects, the biggest concern is bleeding and drug i...

Studies: Angina / coronary microcirculationSystematic review & me...

Why it works: Protects endothelium & improves microvascular flow. TXL components modulate nitric-oxide/endothelial pathways and reduce leukocyte–endothelial sticking; animal and imaging studies...

Instructions: Official Chinese label (manufacturer): 0.26 g per capsule; 2–4 capsules orally, three times daily. If stomach upset occurs, take after meals. Contraindicated in bleeding disorders,...

Warnings: Do not use if you are pregnant, actively bleeding, have a bleeding disorder, or are menstruating (pe...

Studies: Stronger evidence (large RCTs in macrovascular ischemia):STE...

Why it works: TCM rationale. THSWT builds on the classic Si Wu Tang (nourishes/“tonifies” Blood) and adds Tao Ren (Persicae Semen) + Hong Hua (Carthami Flos) to “invigorate blood,” disperse stas...

Instructions: 1) Classic decoction (raw herbs):. Original dose ratios (typical adult one-day dose) and a standard way to prepare:. • Shu Di Huang 12 g, Dang Gui 9 g, Bai Shao 9 g, Chuan Xiong 6...

Warnings: Bleeding risk / anticoagulants. Safflower flavonoids inhibit platelet aggregation and exert anticoag...

Studies: There isn’t a single Western diagnosis called “poor circulat...

Why it works: Improves endothelial function (nitric-oxide–mediated vasodilation). In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in coronary artery disease patients (n=23), 20...

Instructions: Standardized extract: Use a standardized Pycnogenol® product (the clinical data below are almost exclusively with this brand/standard). Frontiers. Common dosing seen in studies & m...

Warnings: Anticoagulants/antiplatelets (bleeding risk): Pycnogenol can inhibit platelet aggregation; concurren...

Studies: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) & edemaRandomized, do...