As we move into the cold weather season specific health concerns associated with temperature come to the fore. One of the most common winter problems is the classic ‘cold hands, cold feet’ scenario. While this is most often a minor circulation issue that can be redressed by exercise, dry-brushing, massage and dietary changes, sometime cold hands and feet are the sign of some other concern like Raynaud’s Phenomenon.

Raynaud’s is a syndrome or phenomenon, it is not a disease, nor is it contagious. Raynaud’s is actually a physiological phenomenon relating to the arteries and the sympathetic nerves that supply them. Normally, blood heat is conserved in the cold by the muscular walls of the arteries constricting a certain amount. Conversely when it is warm the arteries relax and dilate allowing blood to the surface of the skin to cool. In Raynaud’s, the arteries go into spasm when the cold makes them constrict, starving the skin and tissues of blood. The skin turns white and numb and finally blue as the tissues lose their oxygen. When the spasm ends the oxygenated blood flows again turning the skin red and causing throbbing pain. Raynauds usually affects only one or two digits, either fingers or toes, but over time all the fingers or toes may become involved.

Attacks can last hours, days or weeks and can be set off by clenching the fists, using electric or vibrating tools, by certain pharmaceutical drugs and by cigarettes. Raynauds is not life threatening but in extreme cases can lead to “frostbite” and it’s accompanying problems. The constriction of the blood supply caused by Raynaud’s also means that no oxygen is getting to the tissue and extended periods without blood and oxygen can result in damage to cells, nerves and muscle tissue. The aromatherapy blends described here will help reduce the circulatory spasms and increase blood flow.

Other healthy options to ease Raynaud’s symptoms: massage to release the muscles of thee neck, shoulder, rotator cuff and the muscles and connective tissue of thee hands, wrists and arms, often the real cause of raynaud’s. Eat lots of onions and fresh garlic, also take garlic capsules. Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, cola), white sugar, dairy foods, white breads, highly refined or proceesed foods, and especially cigarettes. If you can’t quit smoking choose a natural chemical free tobacco like American Spirit or a herbal smoke. Dry brushing is a huge help to the circulatory system, brush the skin daily starting with the right foot up the leg to the hip, left foot and up the leg, arms from hand up to shoulder and then down the back and torso to the center of the body and the bowels.

If your skin is fragile or your hands and feet are extremely painful start with Blend #3 for 10-14 days. If there is nerve pain on a continuous basis you should also use Blend #3 for at least 1 week. Blend #1 and Blend #2 should be used alternately, one week #1, next week #2, then 3rd week back to #1. Once relief is obtained you may slow down or stop the treatment, or you can use the blends once or twice a week in the bath or for a relaxing reflexology session of the hands and feet. It is important to try and redress the circulatory balance in the body.

To use the blends:
Soak hands and feet at least twice a day or have one full bath and one foot/hand bath per day. Add 2 tablespoons of Blend #4 to a hand/foot bath, 3 tablespoons to a full bath, soak at least 15-20 minutes for best results. Alternately you may use one of the essential oil blends in the bath, 3-4 drops in a foot/hand bath, 7-9 drops in a full bath. The water should be quite warm but not too hot to be comfortable. Massage your fingers and toes gently in a circular fashion from the palms to the fingertips and back again while in the bath, repeat on the feet. After the bath massage a little more oil of the same blend into the hands and up the arms, the feet and up the legs and have your partner massage oil along the spine, back of the neck, buttocks, and chest. If an attack is on, the blend can be used undiluted on the affected parts as necessary. Do not use hard pressure when massaging the body during an episode, a quick light touch to the massage is most effective to stimulate circulation. If your skin is damaged or very sensitive, you may wish to massage a carrier oil into the skin after the undiluted essential oil applications.

Ingredients:

• Blend #1 – Black Spruce 35%, Scotch Pine 35%, Peppermint 15%, Yarrow 15%
• Blend #2 - Black Pepper 10%, Lemon Eucalyptus 30% , Rosemary CT cineole 40%, Cinnamon leaf 10%, Immortelle 10%
• Blend #3 – Lemon 10%, Nutmeg 15%, Lemon eucalyptus 15%, Geranium 30%, Immortelle 30%
• Blend #4 – Hydrosols of Peppermint 30%, Rosemary 30%, Birch 30%, Immortelle 10%

Suitable carrier oils: organic St Johns wort infusion (Hypericum perforatum), Foraha (Calophyllum inophyllum) or organic sesame oil (Sesamum indicum). Store in a cool, dark place.