Natural Remedies & Herbs for Poor Circulation

According to an extensive overview of clinical trials, standardized horse chestnut seed extract, which contains the active compound aescin, has been shown to be effective in double-blind and other controlled research, supporting the traditional use of horse chestnut for venous problems. In these trials, capsules of horse chestnut extract containing 50 mg of aescin were given two to three times daily for CVI. The positive effect results in part from horse chestnut’s ability to strengthen capillaries, which leads to a reduction in swelling.

Another traditional remedy for CVI is butcher’s broom. One double-blind trial used a combination of butcher’s broom, the flavonoid hesperidin, and vitamin C. This was found to be better than a placebo for treating CVI. In a comparison study, a product combining butcher’s broom extract, the flavonoid hesperidin, and vitamin C was more effective than a synthetic flavonoid product for treating CVI. A double-blind study, in which Butcher's broom alone was used, has confirmed the beneficial effect of this herb. Clinical trials have used one capsule, containing standardized extracts providing 15 to 30 mg of ruscogenins, three times each day. The amount of butcher’s broom extract used in these trials is 150 mg two times per day. Other sources recommend standardized extracts providing 15 to 30 mg of ruscogenins, given three times each day.

Gotu kola extracts, standardized to triterpenoid content, have been found successful in small preliminary trials to treat CVI. The amount of extract used in these trials ranged from 60 to 120 mg per day...