Natural Remedies for Cold Feet
Many people complain about cold feet, even when on warmer environments. This may be a sign of poor nutrition or nicotine abuse. If there is no underlying organic disorder, the problem may be alleviated by eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and exercising regularly.
Starting natural applications like footbaths, foot exercises, and massages, you will notice an improvement in the blood flow, and it’s important to continue such measures over a considerable period of time.
Good tips for warmer feet are:
Regular Aerobic activity:
Running, hiking, and cycling, helps prevent cold feet. This kind of activity is especially useful for people who sit or stand a lot in the workplace. Unbelievably, walking through the early morning dew stimulates blood flow in the feet. For best results, regularly walk barefoot through the dewy grass for about 2 minutes, or in the winter, walk about 1 minute through the snow.
Foot exercises dilate and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Try the following exercises at least twice daily:
- Take 10 steps each on tiptoe, on the heel, as well as on the inner and outer edges of our feet in succession. Repeat for 15 minutes.
- Try using your toes to pick up a handkerchief or a pen from the floor.
- While seated, rotate each foot clockwise at the ankle joint 10-20 times, then repeat counter clockwise.
- Stand with your heels apart, with your big toes touching. Rise up on the balls of your feet, and then slowly lower your heels back to the floor. Repeat 10 times, this improves circulation on cold feet.
Water Stimulates Circulation:
Cold, warm or hot footbaths and showers stimulate the flow of blood. The alternating footbath is particularly invigorating to the circulatory system. Fill one bucket with hot water and another bucket with cold water. Soak your feet and lower legs in the hot water for 6-10 minutes, and then dip them in the cold water for 10-15 seconds. Alternate five times, ending with the cold footbath. Pat dry immediately and put on warm socks.
Foot Massage to Stimulate Blood Flow:
Beginning with the toes, use your fingertips and thumb to massage each foot with circular movements. Warming essential oils will enhance the effect, you may also try a foot massage with a porcupine ball; place your feet lightly on the ball and roll gently back and forth.
Cold Shower for Legs:
Run a handheld shower from your petite toe of the right foot over the side of the instep to the heel, and then along the outer side of your calf, up to just below the hollow of our knee. Massage for 10 seconds, using slow -circular motions. Run the water down the inner side of your calf to the inside of your hell. Finally, run the water up the left and down the right side of your shinbone. Move and repeat the step on your left foot.
Lavender Bath:
If you have fresh lavender flowers, soak them on luke-warm water over night before use. The next day, simmer gently while tightly covered – strain. Then add the flowers to a moderate-temperature bath. If you prefer a sponge bath, use only ¼ cup of lavender in ½ of bathwater.
Other lavender benefits include:
- Even adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to the washing machine can add a soothing fresh aroma to the laundry room and clothes, which helps make routine housework more enjoyable.
- Place a few drops on the pillowcase at night to promote restful sleep.
- Apply a few drops of lavender oil to on your temples or some other part of your head to ease a tension headache or eyestrain. (NB: keep the oil away from the eyes.)
- Directly apply the oil to the skin as it’s well known as a burn remedy. Lavender essential oil can also be applied on aching or painful muscles or joints.
Fruit and Vegetable Juices:
Apricot, peach, cherry, plum, grape, beet, artichoke, watercress, tomato, and onion juice to stimulate the metabolism and the circulatory system.
Article: Tshireletso Maripile