Natural Remedies & Herbs for Intermittent Claudication

Extensive studies have been done with Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE) for treatment of intermittent claudication. Two double-blind trials found that 120 mg of GBE per day increased pain-free and total walking distance among people with intermittent claudication. Similar results were seen in another double-blind trial using 160 mg of GBE per day. In yet another double-blind trial, two doses of ginkgo extract were compared for six months. The researchers studied 60 vs. 120 mg twice daily and found that, while both amounts resulted in significant improvements in pain-free walking distance, the improvements were more pronounced at the higher dose.

A standardized extract of garlic has been tested as a treatment for intermittent claudication. In a double-blind trial, the increase in walking distance was significantly greater in people receiving garlic powder extract (400 mg twice per day for 12 weeks) than in those given a placebo.

In a double-blind trial, people with intermittent claudication received 760 mg twice daily of the Tibetan herbal formula Padma 28® or a placebo for 16 weeks. The average walking distance increased by 115% among people receiving Padma 28, compared with a 17% increase in the placebo group (a statistically significant difference). No side effects were reported. Padma 28 was also found to increase walking distance in a second study.