Raynaud’s is a rare and unusual disorder affecting the blood vessels, especially the toes and fingers. It is known that the hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system causes the blood vessels to become constricted when you are cold or stressed [1].
This causes the blood to not sufficiently reach the surface of your skin, causing the affected areas to turn blue or pale. When your blood later starts flowing once more to these areas, the skin becomes red [2].
This phenomenon can lead to tissue death due to insufficient blood supply reaching the skin. There are two types of Raynaud’s – primary Raynaud’s and secondary Raynaud’s. Another name for the primary Raynaud is Raynaud’s disease. This type is idiopathic in nature, and it has no known cause. The secondary type is also called Raynaud’s phenomenon, and it is caused by trauma or other health conditions or medications.
The primary Raynaud’s disease is a disease that occurs alone without associated health problems. The majority of Raynaud’s cases are of the secondary type.
This means that they are a symptom of some other problem or condition, and some of them can be quite serious. You should talk with your doctor because he or she must know from which type of Raynaud you suffer, so you can get proper treatment. There are many medicines that can help you against Raynaud’s disease, but also there are many natural remedies that can take care of the symptoms of this condition. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from Raynaud’s disease before you start taking some of the home remedies mentioned below for this condition.
13 Home remedies for Raynaud’s disease
Contents
Vitamin C
You can eat citrus fruits and other Vitamin C-rich food because this is a very effective and natural method to reduce the effects of Raynaud’s. This vitamin is an antioxidant and an immune system stimulant [3]. It is an essential vitamin for hundreds of bodily functions, which include but are not limited to collagen formation, protection of vessels from damage, as well as the creation of new skin cells.
Vitamin E
This vitamin is also known as tocopherol. It is a well-known vitamin for its skin-boosting properties. Also, it can protect the integrity of other cells, especially the blood vessels. This is a reason why Vitamin E is a very important part of the natural treatment of Raynaud. It can make sure that your blood vessels are healthy, so oxygen and blood can get through easily and effectively [3]. You should eat foods that are rich in Vitamin E, such as green leafy vegetables, seafood, nuts, and avocados.
Ginger root
This home remedy has been suggested as a natural treatment for people who have circulation issues for years. It is also called “warm food”.
It can provide the body with additional warmth in cold conditions. This is a reason why ginger and ginger tea tackle both problems of Raynaud’s blood constriction as well as problems due to cold [4].
Essential fatty acids
The supplementation with Omega-3 essential fatty acids can be very useful because it can decrease platelet aggregation, which can limit blood flow [5]. The best way with which you can incorporate these fatty acids into your body is to add them to your diet. Also, you can massage the oil onto the affected toes and fingers, which means that you can locally improve blood circulation.
Potassium
This is an essential mineral controlling both dilatation of the blood vessels as well as fluid balance in the body (along with sodium). Raynaud decreases the flow of oxygen and blood to the extremities. This is a reason why you should eat bananas and other potassium-rich foods. These foods can prevent the episodes or attacks from striking. It is also known that potassium can reduce the tension throughout the cardiovascular system, so the flare-ups of Raynaud’s disease will have a less noticeable effect.
Foods to avoid
There are some foods that you must avoid, such as highly fatty foods and hydrogenated and polyunsaturated oils like cottonseed, safflower, soy, and corn. Also, it is recommended that you avoid a diet that is high in phytic acids, which can be found in processed carbohydrate products such as bread, crackers, and cereals.
You should know that this type of diet blocks the absorption of fatty acids and essential mineral acids. Also, you should decrease your coffee intake, given that caffeine has vasoconstrictive properties, which can further complicate Raynaud’s symptoms. You should also avoid alcohol intake.
Vitamin B3
This vitamin, also known as niacin, plays an important role in increasing the blood flow to the surface of the skin, and it also helps to stimulate dilatation of the blood vessels throughout the body [6]. You can increase the amount of this vitamin in your body by taking specific supplements or by increasing the consumption of niacin-rich foods, such as sunflower seeds, green peas, Portobello mushrooms, liver, chicken, pork, or seafood.
Coenzyme Q10
CoQ10 is best known for its antioxidant properties and for improving the skin [7]. It works by controlling the flow of oxygen within the cells, and it assists in cardiovascular functioning and absorption of nutrients into the cells.
Acupuncture
There are some studies that state that acupuncture can help in reducing inflammation and pain as well as improve joint stiffness in people suffering from Raynaud’s disease. There was one study in which was involved 33 patients with Raynaud’s syndrome, and it was found that acupuncture served as a reasonable treatment alternative. In one study, it was found that patients who underwent acupuncture had experienced a significant decrease in the frequency of Raynaud’s attacks as well as a decrease in the duration of the reduced blood flow [8].
L-arginine
There are some studies hypothesizing that nitric oxide plays a role in Raynaud’s disease. In these studies, it was observed that there is a defect in the metabolism of nitric oxide in people who suffer from Raynaud’s disease. L-arginine is a substance needed for nitric oxide synthesis, and it plays an important role in the vascular response to local stimuli. It is suggested that the supplementation with L-arginine can improve the nitric oxide metabolism and therefore cause vasodilatation in the blood vessels reaching the skin [9].
Gingko Biloba
Gingko Biloba is known to be a vasodilator as well as a stimulator of the function of the circulatory system [10]. It can work effectively but slowly since it takes a few months for all the Ginkgo Biloba to build up in the system. There are some studies proving that this home remedy can reduce the symptoms of Raynaud’s disease by approximately 50%. In addition, Gingko has been used for other circulatory issues for thousands of years.
Essential oils
The volatile, aromatic, and subtle extracts from plants are essential oils. Essential oils have direct access to the brain via the olfactory system and skin absorption. Also, they can help to warm the body and improve blood circulation.
Those essential oils that assist in blood circulation and help in increasing the oxygenation to the body’s cells are effective for Raynaud’s disease. These oils can be used in many different ways, such as via detoxifying baths, with a diffuser, by inhaling, via compresses, or even by applying them topically.
The recommended essential oils for Raynaud’s disease are rosemary, fennel, lavender, palmarosa, black pepper, clove, mace, and nutmeg essential oils.
There are other essential oils, such as cypress, lemon, and myrtle essential oils, which can also have beneficial effects in the case of Raynaud’s because of their role in strengthening and dilating the capillaries as well as increasing circulation.
Citrus, clove, and helichrysum oils are known to be natural blood thinners. The marjoram essential oil can also relax your muscles and dilate your blood vessels. The nutmeg essential oil also acts as an anti-inflammatory and circulatory stimulant agent. The goldenrod is a vein decongestant. These are all extra benefits to each individual oil.
Stop smoking
There are some studies that show that people who regularly smoke have reduced blood flow to tissues and organs [11]. This is the main reason why smokers who have either primary or secondary Raynaud’s should quit smoking as soon as possible. If you are one of the many people who have tried quitting smoking with no success, then you should use mind-body practices, such as relaxation techniques, guided imagery, reiki, meditation, spinal manipulation, or acupuncture.
References:
[1] Halperin JL, Coffman JD. Pathophysiology of Raynaud’s disease. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1979;139(1):89-92.
[2] Kuryliszyn-Moskal A,Kita J, Hryniewicz A. Raynaud’s phenomenon: new aspects of pathogenesis and the role of nailfold videocapillaroscopy. Reumatologia. 2015;53(2):87-93.
[3] Simonini G, Pignone A, Generini S, et al. Emerging potentials for an antioxidant therapy as a new approach to the treatment of systemic sclerosis. Toxicology. 2000;155(1-3):1-15.
[4] Khodaie L, Sadeghpoor O. Ginger from ancient times to the new outlook. Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products. 2015;10(1):e18402-e18402.
[5] Ho M, Maple C, Bancroft A, et al. The beneficial effects of omega–3 and omega–6 essential fatty acid supplementation on red blood cell rheology. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids. 1999;61(1):13-17.
[6] Bays HE, Rader DJ. Does nicotinic acid (niacin) lower blood pressure? International Journal of Clinical Practice. 2009;63(1):151-159.
[7] Littarru GP, Tiano L. Bioenergetic and antioxidant properties of coenzyme Q10: Recent developments. Molecular Biotechnology. 2007;37(1):31-37.
[8] Appiah R, Hiller S, Caspary L, et al. Treatment of primary Raynaud’s syndrome with traditional Chinese acupuncture. Journal of Internal Medicine. 1997;241(2):119-124.
[9] Rembold CM, Ayers CR. Oral L-arginine can reverse digital necrosis in Raynaud’s phenomenon. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. 2003;244(1):139-141.
[10] Bae JH, Kim K-S, Lee I-k, Kim YH. The short-and long-term effects of gingko biloba extracts on the endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease. Korean Circulation Journal. 1999;29(9):919-927.
[11] Hume A, Goodfield MJD, Rowell NR. The acute effects of cigarette smoking on cutaneous blood flow in smoking and non-smoking subjects with and without Raynaud’s phenomenon. Rheumatology. 1990;29(2):89-91.
