Chilblains. Varicose veins, Cramp, Restless Legs, Raynaud’s disease

Chilblains, varicose veins, cramps, restless legs, and cold hands and feet (sometimes referred to as Raynaud’s disease) are symptoms of poor circulation. Symptoms are usually worse in the winter months, and can increase with age.

Oil of Peppermint, best known for its beneficial effect on the digestive system, can also help ease these circulatory problems. Peppermint acts as a “peripheral vasodilator”. This means that it has a relaxing and dilating action on the smooth muscle of the blood vessels. This stimulates blood flow, thereby improving circulation.

There are several ways that peppermint can be taken to achieve these results.

• Peppermint Oil Tablets. These contain peppermint oil in a dextrose base. The dextrose is quickly dissolved in the stomach, thus releasing the peppermint oil to be absorbed into the blood stream.
• Peppermint Oil Powder. Similar to the Tablets, the dextrose powder, taken with a little warm water, is quickly dissolved in the stomach to release the peppermint oil into the blood stream.
• Pure Oil of Peppermint. This pure essential oil can be taken internally in warm water, although care must be exercised because it is a very strong, potent oil. It is more usually used externally as a massage oil, mixed with a base oil, or in a footbath.