Herbs that Increase Circulation

by Stacey Small

1 of 3

Hawthorn Flower

2 of 3

cayenne

3 of 3

Gingko

The cardiovascular system needs nourishing and support from the foods we eat and the supplements we use. This means herbs that enrich the heart and blood are important ingredients in your herbal supplements.

A horse or human with poor circulation should be supplemented with:

Hawthorn Crataegus oxyacantha

The berries are powerful antioxidants and have been traditionally used as an herbal heart tonic. This master heart herb dilates the veins and the vessels of the brain, helping to increase nourishment to the system.

It also helps to slow down and strengthen the push from the pumping heart, thereby increasing the force of its contraction.

Use it with caution if there is any use of Digitalis (derived from another plant called Foxglove).

A great herb to use as animals get older to help strengthen the heart and possibly reduce the chance or amount of digitalis ever needed.

Cayenne Capsicum minimum

Topically it is a powerful local stimulant and often used as a nerve block when pain needs to be reduced.

Internally helps to increase circulation and warmth to the skin and limbs by dilating the small capillaries. In the case of a crushing injury, it can help to open up the pathways by dilating the capillaries.

Also has merit for use in cold systemic conditions, like a cold asthma, that need warmth for relief, or as a circulatory stimulant to the lungs in animals with pneumonia.

Gingko Ginkgo biloba

Gingko helps improve the short-term memory of early diagnosed Alzheimer disease. Has a mild blood thinning effect and helps overall cerebral circulation carrying vital oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Inhibits the platelet aggregation factor (PAF), the mechanism that causes slow moving or obstructed blood to become "sticky" and begin forming into clots (1). Great herb for older animals, especially with weakened or impaired kidneys.