Effective Home Remedies For Cold Feet

Cold feet might actually be a symptom of other serious disorders like anemia, hormonal imbalance or a circulatory disorder. After a proper diagnosis of the condition the doctor will be able to detect its main cause.

Once the cause of cold feet is known the treatment used is a combination of foot exercises, massage, dietary changes, water applications and aerobic exercises. All these treatments help increase the blood flow to the feet in order to keep them warm and healthy.

During cold weather the body regulates its temperature by cutting off blood supply to the hands and feet. Doing this helps other organs such as the heart and the brain maintain their regular temperature which is important for the overall functioning of the body. However, this results in the feet becoming extremely cold.

People who experience cold feet even during warm weather or warm conditions might actually be suffering from nutrition deficiency. In some people nicotine addiction can also be one of the causes of cold feet. If the diagnosis shows no underlying disorder, then the problem can be reduced by eating a healthy and nutritious diet which is rich in vitamins and minerals.

Exercising the feet regularly also goes a long way in taking care of the problem of cold feet. However, any treatment for cold feet needs to be continued for a long period of time in order to ensure the problem never re-surfaces.

Natural Remedies for Cold Feet

1. Regular Exercise:

Cardiovascular exercises like running, jogging, walking, cycling and swimming are very helpful in preventing cold feet. People who lead a sedentary life for most part of the day, either sitting or standing in one place, will benefit greatly from the cardiovascular exercises.

2. Walking Barefoot On Grass:

This is one of the best methods for getting the blood flowing in your feet. Walking barefoot on dewy grass first thing in the morning for 2 minutes will restore proper circulation of blood to the feet. Walking barefoot for one minute on the winter snow will also do the same.

3. Foot Exercises:

Performing foot exercises strengthens the blood vessels found in the feet and helps increase the circulation of blood to the feet. The following foot exercises will prove beneficial for treating cold feet.

•    Stand on tiptoe and walk 10 steps in this position. Next, put your entire weight on the heels and walk another 10 steps in the position. Repeat walking on tiptoe and on your heels as many times during the day as you can.

•    Walk on your toes for most part of the day. Perform small activities like picking up stuff from the floor while on your toes.

•    Sit down in a comfortable position with your legs dangling. Rotate each ankle along with the foot in clockwise direction at least 15-20 times. Rotate the ankle and the foot in anti-clockwise direction as well.

•    Stand in a position where your feet are placed close to each other. However, the heels should be apart and the big toes should be touching each other. Slowly raise yourself on the balls of your feet and then lower yourself heels down on the floor. Do this exercise at least 15-20 times in the day to increase circulation of blood to the feet.

4. Water Application to improve Circulation:

Footbaths, whether cold, warm or hot, will help increase the flow of blood to the feet. However, alternating footbath is the best for stimulating the entire circulatory system of the body. The alternating footbath is easy to perform; take a bucket of hot another and another bucket filled with cold water.

Place your feet and lower legs in the bucket of hot water for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, place your feet and lower legs in the bucket of cold water for 10-15 seconds only. This completes one step. Repeat the step at least 5 times for maximum benefit. End the treatment with cold footbath. Dry your feet on a towel and wear socks.

5. Foot Massage to Stimulate Blood Flow:

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Massaging the feet helps improve the circulation of blood to the feet. First massage the toes using the tips of your fingers and thumbs. The massage should be done in gentle circular motions. You can even use a foot cream or oil for the massage. Warming up the oil before the massage will work wonders for the circulation of blood. Olive oil and eucalyptus oil are excellent for massaging cold feet.

There are porcupine balls available for massaging the feet. You could roll the ball of your feet on the porcupine balls to get going the flow of blood to your feet.

6. Cold Shower for Legs

Take a handheld shower and use it to spray a jet of cold water on your lower legs. Start spraying the water beginning from the little toe of the right foot and move over to the side of the instep and then to the heel of the foot.

Then spray the water on your lower calf and up to the inside of your knee. Massage the hollow of your knee for 10-15 seconds while spraying water on it all the time. Now move the jet of water to your left leg and spray the water in a similar manner as described.

7. Lavender Essential Oil Bath

Take half a bucket of warm water and pour two teaspoons of lavender essential oil in the water. Mix the oil well in the water. Soak your feet and lower legs in this lavender bath for at least 15-20 minutes. You may also use other essential oils like peppermint, ginger, cypress and rosemary.

8. Fruit and Vegetable Juices:

Drink juices prepared using peach, cherry, apricot, plum, grapes, artichoke, tomato, beetroot, onions and watercress. All these fruits and vegetables are known to increase and improve the functioning of metabolic and circulatory system. This in turn helps increase blood circulation to the feet.

9. Hot Beverages:

Drink hot liquids like ginger tea and chocolate milk before going to bed at night. Ginger and warm milk are excellent for improving the circulation of blood to the feet. Drinking warm liquids before bedtime also heats up the body thus reducing chances of developing cold feet at night.