Also known as cold hand syndrome, Raynaud's phenomenon or Raynaud's disease, this ailment is not always easy to identify, since many times we attribute having cold hands and feet as a simple circulation problem or “the usual temperature” of said person, as there are others who have very hot hands and feet.
However, Raynaud's can become dangerous if proper care is not taken. Next, in this article, we will explain what this syndrome consists of, as well as the best home remedies for Raynaud's disease.
What is and what causes Raynaud's syndrome
Raynaud's syndrome is a rare disease that affects the hands and feet, although there have been cases where it also affected the ears, nose and nipples. Raynaud's narrows the smaller veins of the extremities, causing blood to not be able to circulate properly. This fact worsens with stress, cold and bad habits, such as tobacco.
Types of Raynaud's
There are two types of Raynaud's:
- The primary: this is the most common, and is usually called Raynaud's disease. It can occur so mildly that it is not even annoying, and sometimes it disappears on its own. Unlike the secondary, the primary does not usually occur for any associated condition.
- The secondary: also called Raynaud's phenomenon. Here Raynaud's disease occurs due to another disease, such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, Berger’s disease or atherosclerosis, among many other possibilities. Secondary Raynaud's usually appears from the age of 40.
Is Raynaud's syndrome serious?
Usually not. As long as you lead a healthy, balanced life and take great care not to expose your hands and feet to the cold. That is, if temperatures drop, a person with Raynaud's should be cautious and put on gloves, if they can be thermal.
What is and what causes Raynaud's syndrome
Raynaud's syndrome is a rare disease that affects the hands and feet, although there have been cases where it also affected the ears, nose and nipples. Raynaud's narrows the smaller veins of the extremities, causing blood to not be able to circulate properly. This fact worsens with stress, cold and bad habits, such as tobacco.
Types of Raynaud's
There are two types of Raynaud's:
- The primary: this is the most common, and is usually called Raynaud's disease. It can occur so mildly that it is not even annoying, and sometimes it disappears on its own. Unlike the secondary, the primary does not usually occur for any associated condition.
- The secondary: also called Raynaud's phenomenon. Here Raynaud's disease occurs due to another disease, such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, Berger’s disease or atherosclerosis, among many other possibilities. Secondary Raynaud's usually appears from the age of 40.
Is Raynaud's syndrome serious?
Usually not. As long as you lead a healthy, balanced life and take great care not to expose your hands and feet to the cold. That is, if temperatures drop, a person with Raynaud's should be cautious and put on gloves, if they can be thermal.
Ginkgo biloba and Raynaud's syndrome
Ginkgo biloba is a powerful ally against Raynaud's syndrome due to its multiple properties and benefits:
- Improves blood circulation: This plant native to China improves blood flow to even the smallest areas of the body, such as the fingers. This is due to the large number of flavonoids contained in the plant.
- Dilates blood vessels: Ginkgo biloba is well known for being a great vasodilator, as well as a stimulant for the circulatory system. It has been shown to reduce the symptoms of Raynaud's in 50% of cases. What's more, thanks to its powerful properties, it has been used for hundreds of years as a treatment for diseases of the circulatory or blood system.
- Liquefies the blood: naturally, ginkgo biloba makes the blood more fluid, so it can circulate much more easily throughout the body. This is also ideal to prevent clot formation, especially in patients who have also suffered thrombosis, heart problems or strokes.
In addition, recent studies have shown that consuming ginkgo biloba increases blood flow in people who have circulation problems in the extremities.
How to take ginkgo biloba
The best way to take ginkgo biloba is to take it as an infusion. Although they also sell capsules of this plant in supplement format. Taking two to three cups a day of this infusion, you will notice how your hands are recomposing little by little.
If you want to know more about ginkgo biloba, as well as its contraindications, do not miss the following article about What are the properties of Ginkgo Biloba.
Ginkgo biloba and Raynaud's syndrome
Ginkgo biloba is a powerful ally against Raynaud's syndrome due to its multiple properties and benefits:
- Improves blood circulation: This plant native to China improves blood flow to even the smallest areas of the body, such as the fingers. This is due to the large number of flavonoids contained in the plant.
- Dilates blood vessels: Ginkgo biloba is well known for being a great vasodilator, as well as a stimulant for the circulatory system. It has been shown to reduce the symptoms of Raynaud's in 50% of cases. What's more, thanks to its powerful properties, it has been used for hundreds of years as a treatment for diseases of the circulatory or blood system.
- Liquefies the blood: naturally, ginkgo biloba makes the blood more fluid, so it can circulate much more easily throughout the body. This is also ideal to prevent clot formation, especially in patients who have also suffered thrombosis, heart problems or strokes.
In addition, recent studies have shown that consuming ginkgo biloba increases blood flow in people who have circulation problems in the extremities.
How to take ginkgo biloba
The best way to take ginkgo biloba is to take it as an infusion. Although they also sell capsules of this plant in supplement format. Taking two to three cups a day of this infusion, you will notice how your hands are recomposing little by little.
If you want to know more about ginkgo biloba, as well as its contraindications, do not miss the following article about What are the properties of Ginkgo Biloba.
Consumption of vitamins and minerals
We all know that vitamins and minerals are very necessary for the body, but the truth is that, depending on what kind of diseases or ailments we have, even more. In the case of Raynaud's syndrome, there are certain vitamins and minerals that could help us improve the symptoms of the disease, as well as strengthen our body to fight against it.
- Vitamin B3: Vitamin B3 is a great vasodilator, which means that it widens the blood vessels and so the blood can reach all corners of the body without problems. We can find this vitamin in fish and seafood, pork and chicken, liver, mushrooms, sunflower seeds and peas.
- Vitamin C: This vitamin is antioxidant and strengthens the immune system, which is extremely important if you have secondary Raynaud's. We will find vitamin C in citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges and mandarins.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is very important because it acts directly on the blood vessels, thus ensuring that blood and oxygen pass through them correctly. Foods that contain this vitamin are, for example, avocado, nuts, seafood, and leafy greens.
- Potassium: Potassium, very present in bananas and other foods, helps control body fluids and dilate blood vessels and arteries. Potassium also reduces the strain on the cardiovascular system, so it can help decrease Raynaud's flare-ups.
Other Natural Treatments for Raynaud's Syndrome
For the day to day, it is also very important to take into account the following options:
- Hot water: in times of very cold, you can heat a little water in a basin and put your hands inside for a few minutes. Hot water helps dilate blood vessels, and as a consequence, blood can flow better. Of course, the water should not be excessively hot, since otherwise you could burn.
- Understanding gloves: there are special gloves for people with Raynaud's syndrome or phenomenon. These gloves are designed by doctors and help keep warm in the hands, as well as improve blood circulation.
- Comprehension socks: or also heating. Like gloves, these helps maintain warmth and good blood flow to the feet.
- Alternative therapies: there is also the option of trying alternative therapies such as reiki and acupuncture, which could reduce the effects of Raynaud's, and even cure it based on sessions.
Is Raynaud's syndrome curable? Do you have treatment?
Unfortunately, Raynaud's syndrome has no cure. You can only control the symptoms and prevent the episodes. Therefore, whoever is looking for solutions for Raynaud's disease, the only thing you can find are natural remedies and tips for day to day, such as the use of understanding gloves, which, fortunately, are quite affordable.
Even so, if you are still determined to seek a treatment for Raynaud's syndrome, from we encourage you to try the alternative therapies that we described before, which, according to Raynaud's own patients, can sometimes cure the ailment. Otherwise, another good option is homeopathy for Raynaud's phenomenon, such as the dead sea salt method.
Now that you know some home remedies for Raynaud's disease, you may also be interested in this other article about Home Remedies for Poor Hand Circulation.
