Circulatory Stimulants
Definition
A circulatory stimulant is a substance that improves blood flow through body tissues.
Circulatory Disorders
When the heart muscles are unable to effectively pump blood through the body's veins, arteries and blood vessels, the result is poor circulation. Many people suffer from circulatory disorders, the causes of which can include high or low blood pressure, anemia, varicose veins, hardening of the arteries, weak heart and others.
How Circulatory Stimulants Work
Circulatory stimulants aid the circulation of the blood. They help to increase blood flow to and from tissues and organs. They are an important part of holistic treatment helping the body to rectify imbalances by bringing nutrients to an area and taking away toxins.
Generally circulatories are heating and should be used cautiously if a person is low in vital reserves as they increase thermogenesis which requires energy.
Heating circulatories include: chilli, ginger, prickly ash, rosemary, mustard, and cinnamon.
Heating the body was one of the principle actions traditionally used by the heroic practitioners such as Thomson. Heroics believed that disease was caused by cold (the ultimate cold being death) so hot spices would often be used to drive out the cold.
Rubefacients increase heat to an area when used topically. This is achieved by a gentle irritation of the skin, stimulating capillary dilation, and thus drawing blood to the surface and causing a reddening of the skin. This effect is often used to relieve congestion and inflammation of deeper tissues, such as lung congestion (when rubbed on the chest), and rheumatism in the joints.
Rubefacients include: mustard, chilli, garlic, ginger, horseradish, rosemary and wintergreen.
Posted in Circulatory Stimulants
Ask a Question Or Join a DiscussionCirculatory Stimulants
Grape Seed
Grape seed extract, or Vitis vinifera, is currently used in traditional medical treatments for many different conditions, including those related to the heart and blood vessels, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and poor circulation. Other treatments include vision problems and macular degeneration, swelling after surgery, wound healing and cancer prevention.
Gingko
Many studies have proven that gingko has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system by increasing blood flow. A typical continued dose of gingko has been shown to decrease blood vessel elasticity, increase coronary blood flow, increase cerebral blood flow, decrease blood viscosity and decrease erythrocyte aggregation.
