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7 Natural Remedies for Cold Hands & Feet

Cold hands and feet tend to be a common complaint. In some instances, cold extremities can signal more serious problems including peripheral artery disease (a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs), lupus (various conditions marked by inflammation of the skin) and rheumatoid arthritis, among others. Nevertheless, more often than not, cold hands and feet tend to occur in healthy individuals and are often a sign of poor circulation. So, before treating yourself for a more serious condition, try these 7 natural remedies to improve your circulation. 
 
1. Dark Chocolate
cold hands and feet
Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, so much so that researchers in Italy reported the antioxidants found in dark chocolate increase blood flow to the arms and legs. It does so by activating biochemicals that help widen arteries. Researchers studied patients with poor blood circulation, and they found that after eating dark chocolate, patients showed increased levels of nitric oxide, a gas that widens arteries and improves blood flow. 
2. Ginkgo Biloba
cold hands and feet
Compounds in the gingko biloba leaf dilate the blood vessels in your whole body, temporarily increasing blood flow to your extremities, studies have shown. Gingko can be taken as a dietary supplement to help keep your hands and feet warm. 
3. Wine (or Other Alcohol)
cold hands and feet
Should you need a quick fix to help keep your hands and feet warm, have one glass of wine or any other alcoholic drink per day. Alcohol dilates your blood vessels and helps the blood reach extremities more easily, especially through the vessels in your hands and feet. For an excellent pairing, have a glass of red wine with your dark chocolate in the evening.
 
4. Exercise
cold hands and feet
30 to 45 minutes of daily exercise, particularly a brisk walk or jumping rope will get your blood flowing, ensuring that your hands and feet remain warm. If your cold hands and feet return soon after you have exercised, try cycling your feet for 5 to 10 minutes and rotating arms in a quick circular motion for about the same length of time. These simple exercises can get the blood flowing, warming your body up quickly. 
5. Eat Spicy Food
cold hands and feet
Foods to add to your list to ensure your hands and feet remain warm include peppers, onions, garlic, and spices such as curry powder and cayenne pepper - all of which work well in improving blood circulation. These spicy foods also offer relief for the muscle pain you might feel after exercising. 
6. Massage
cold hands and feet
Massage can work wonders for blood flow primarily because blood gets stuck in knots inside your muscles. Massages stimulate the trapped blood and allow it to move freely through your body. The pulling and squeezing of the muscles in your body during a massage will flush lactic acid from the muscles, improving blood circulation. 
7. Hydration
cold hands and feet
The best way to combat poor blood circulation is to stay hydrated. Keep a bottle of water with you when you are out and about, ensuring that you stay well hydrated. 
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