One of the most overlooked systems in our bodies is our circulatory system. Even many herbalists and health professionals I know tend to often fail to remember about this system when working up health programs for people. While spending time targeting organs and other systems is important, it is also important to make sure the transportation system – our circulation system, is working optimally.

Our circulation systems for the most part is fairly simple to maintain, and yet very complex in structure. Two main things need to be happening with our circulatory system at all times.

1) They need to have the correct amount of substances to help feed cells within our body. If the blood doesn’t have the proper amount of nutrition, our cells suffer by not getting the nutrition they need to build new cells, and repair old cells. You can’t repair a house, or build a house without the proper tools and materials and the same is true for our circulatory system. Not having the proper nutrients can cause thinning of the blood or the gradual death of cells or artery or vein walls, which can be very dangerous.

2) Our circulatory system also needs to have room for the waste products that accumulate as a result of metabolism to be eliminated from our cells. If the blood is too toxic, then there will not be room to move out additional waste products. Toxic blood can cause thickening of blood, or thickening of arterial walls, again – this is not a good thing.

Both of these weakened conditions can allow organisms, viruses such as cytomegalovirus, herpes virus, or epstein barre virus (just to name a few) to get a foot hold – causing all kinds of health issues. If you provide a nice home for organisms to live, they will take no time in showing up and moving in. Providing a nice home includes making poor food choices (sugar, dairy products, wheat, inorganic processed food, etc), and of course living with stress or other emotional issues that cause over acid condition in our bodies.

Organs of the circulatory system
The main organs of the circulatory system are our heart, our spleen and our liver. The heart pumps the blood through our arteries and veins. Our spleen helps to remove many bacteria and other foreign substances, destroys worn out red blood cells and salvages the iron for future use. The spleen, our largest lymphoid organ, also serves as a reservoir for blood that can be used by the circulatory system when needed. The liver does many things that help our circulatory system. It helps with blood clotting, creating and releasing new blood cells, maintains normal blood volume, detoxify various poisonous substances, and also processes blood that has just absorbed nutrients before being distributed to the body. It is obviously very important to keep all of these organs working properly in order for your circulation system to work optimally.

Circulatory Problems
There are many types of circulatory disorders – too many for this brief article. However, I would like to talk about one that is visible and common – varicose veins. Varicose veins are caused from a weakened circulatory system, because of a loss of elasticity in the walls of the veins. This is usually because the main arteries are overworked, and then try to pass some of the work on to the veins, and of course, they are not strong enough to handle this, resulting in their weakness, and our unsightly blue lines on our legs. Another popular disorder is hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins around the anus and in the rectum and are very much like varicose veins, only in a different area of the body.

Creating a healthy Circulatory System
What can you do to help keep your circulation system working optimum for your body?

Emotionally – go with the flow of life. Many people fight within themselves to control things out of their control, or to change things that they have no power over. Recognizing this, and looking at these issues realistically can help you to move easier with the direction of your life you have chosen, instead of constantly battling in a war you may never win. This doesn’t mean to toss away your goals, or to not try to overcome objectives or challenges, it means to take a step back and look at these situations with other peoples insight, many peoples eyes (ask other people for their opinion) or just try to look at things from a different angle, or from another person point of view. You may find that when you are flowing with the energy that is coming your way, it may end up moving you in direction you may not have thought of – which may take you to your goal – instead of being stuck in a rut! There are many other issues underlying circulation that you can review and work on in Karen Truman’s book, Feelings Buried Alive Never Die, which I often and highly recommend for people that are serious about getting healthy.

Nutritionally – eat food that helps feed and support your circulatory system to work better – such as bananas, brown rice, endive, garlic, lima beans, onions, pears, peas and spinach.

Supplements - Once your have found the correct foods that are good for you, and that you enjoy, or even if you haven’t, many people have found certain supplements that help to augment their eating plan, and aid in giving the circulatory system its much needed nutrients. Some of these are essential fatty acids. These may include, lecithin, flax seed oil, borage oil, Fish or Omega oils, Olive Oil (cold-pressed, virgin), black currant oil, evening primrose oil, or Vitamin E (best absorbed with Selenium – which is also good for your circulatory system). When selecting a proper essential fatty acid, be sure to check the label for the freshest as all oils do go rancid with time. In addition, if selecting Vitamin E, be sure to get the natural Vitamin E, d-alpha tocopheral with mixed (alpha, beta, gamma, delta) tocopherals, and if you can get the toctrinal Vitamin E’s as well, these are the most absorbable. If you see dl-alpha tocopheral – this is synthetic Vitamin E and is not easily absorbed and many doctors believe these products are actually toxic, providing many people with a false sense of security. Just like wine, cigars, and coffee – there is a huge difference in the types of products on the market – and most often you get what you pay for – and who wants to pay for and consume products that don’t make you better, and can even make you sick?

Some additional nutrients you could try adding to your diet to improve your circulatory system is chlorophyll – to help build new red blood cells, and also to help oxygenate the blood; digestive enzymes, Vitamin C, Magnesium, B Vitamins, Pycnogenols which are strong anti-oxidants (from pine bark and/or grape seed) and Zinc. Another product that is very expensive, but that doctors are finding more and more that we need to help our circulatory systems is CoQ10, an enzyme that improves tissue oxygenation.

There are many herbs for the circulatory system. They usually fall into 2 categories blood builders and blood purifiers. Herbal blood builders include hawthorn, red raspberry, and rose hips. It is safe for most people to take these products for longer periods of times, to help with nutritional deficiencies in this area. Other herbs that help to increase circulation and that should be taken with the advise of a health professional is ginkgo biloba, capsicum, licorice root and butcher’s broom.

Blood purifiers or blood cleansers include herbs such as yellow dock, red clover, yucca and burdock that should usually only be taken for shorter periods of times, to cleanse the blood as necessary.

For varicose veins and hemorrhoids, there are a few herbs that are beneficial for many people. White oak bark and horse chestnut are two herbs (that don’t necessarily need to be taken together) that helps to strengthen the walls of the veins and arteries, helping to make those annoying lines go away and also to calm down the itching or pain from hemorrhoids. Many creams and/or herbal combination supplements, containing these herbs are often mixed with other nutrients that support the circulatory system, are available for these issues and provide relief for many people.

Not that you want to hear this again, but exercise is great for your circulatory system – gets your blood pumping and moves nutrients in and toxins out. I know it is hard to make yourself exercise sometimes, but simple walking, or basic stretching can help immensely.

Another thing you can do to help improve your circulatory system that doesn’t cost a lot is to dry brush your skin. This can be done as much as you want, but usually it is done 1-2 times a day. Use a brush that is not too hard, not too soft. You don’t want to make your skin red, but you also don’t want the brush to be so soft that it doesn’t accomplish what you want. There are many sizes of brushes, and a natural body brush is best. This is different then cleaning your body in the shower, which is usually more of a scrubbing action. Dry brushing should be done with strokes toward the heart to aid with circulation. This brushing also helps to flush the lymph and to help stimulate your immune system. It is extremely beneficial, even though it may seem like you aren’t “doing” much – it is a very powerful, and very easy task. Some of the easiest least expensive things in life are the most powerful for us.

In addition to supporting the veins and arteries, remember to support your liver, spleen and heart, so they can be there for you. Your body is different from the next person, so work with your health professional to find the best products for your circulatory system – and supporting organs. Since this is February, remember to show yourself love by doing some simple daily acts (eat right, exercise, dry brush, appropriate supplementation) to help nourish and support your circulatory system. Your body will thank you in so many ways!

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