Niacin
★★★★★
Supplements
So my question is about an aliment I have only in the winter only when it's cold. My toes mainly the second and third turn red-ish purple and hurt. They kind of swell a little only at the tips.
Does anyone else suffer from something like this. I understand we're not doctors here so I'm not looking a diagnosis. Just wondering if anyone else has this happen. I found info on an old disorder called Chilblains, which is so very much like it.
Does anyone know any natural remedies for this. Right now I'm taking turmeric to reduce the inflammation.
EC: Hi, Melissa. These are totally appropriate questions, no worries!
(Outlook, Saskatchewan, Canada)
02/11/2009
Hi Melissa, I was recently diagnosed with Chilblain's, and I believe that might be what you have too. Are your toes a bit calloused, red/purple/grey, and puffy? It is caused when your toes are exposed to extreme cold. My podiatrist said I had frost damage! :)
He suggested rubbing "Rub A535" on them - it is a medicated ointment. You might remember it by its distinct wintergreen smell. It heats up when you put it on your feet, and keeps them warm all day! I put about 1/2 a teaspoon on each foot - focussing on the toes.
I am also going to try using cayenne, as I have always had cold hands and feet.
(Canberra, Australia)
02/12/2009
Chilblains - The rub you have used, I cannot get here. What other herb or oil would you/anyone suggest. I have had chilblains during winter for years; it is a type of frost bite due to circulation problems I guess. I have had a doctor prescribe me medication that I later discovered was for angina! It made my heart pound dangerously; I have also been told to get biofeedback etc.
I believe there must be something out there that is natural and I can use safely. It is an uncomfortable problem to endure - wool socks etc do nothing to help.
Thanks for anyone's help. This is a great site, and I hope Codex never comes into play as it will affect all of us who value Earth Clinic.
(Gauteng, SA)
02/12/2009
If you regularly get chilblains, check your calcium levels. I used to get chilblains in winter and a forte dose of effervescent calcium brought quick relief. Using VCO as a moisturiser on my feet seems to stimulate circulation - it keeps my feet warm and chilblains away.
EC: VCO = Virgin Coconut Oil
(Margate, Florida)
05/25/2009
(Paphos, Cyprus)
02/10/2012
Re: Chilblains. I am English and used to the cold and damp weather. When young, my sister and I both suffered from Chilblains. What caused it was sitting in front of the fire and getting our feet hot and then going away and they then cool down. Putting your feet directly near an electric or real fire can cause chilblains. As soon as we stopped doing this, we had no more trouble.
Turmeric
★★★★★
Turmeric and Black Pepper seems to make my legs feel warm and relaxed. I used to drink a lot of coffee and started getting leg cramps. Aspirin helped, but who wants to ingest aspirin all the time. I quit the coffee but my legs usually feel cold and tight. One day I made a curry type sauce for some rice and afterward noticed my legs felt much better. Here's what you do:
- Put 2 or 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a medium size kettle on low/medium heat (not hot - which could encourage the formation of cancerous substances in the oil/starch mix)
- Add 1 heaping tablespoon of peanut butter (get the kind with no mystery ingredients, just peanuts and salt..... Or use raw cashew butter.)
- Add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (non irradiated if you can find it)
- Add 1/2 teaspoon crushed black pepper
- Add 1/2 teaspoon curry powder (optional)
- Add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (or fresh crushed garlic)
- Add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- Mix well and let sit on the warm (not hot) burner for 5 minutes or so
- Add precooked cubed chicken and/or precooked brown rice
- Serve warm (that's right, not hot.)You can alter the ingredients, but the important ones seem to be the turmeric and black pepper. Possibly the curry powder.
(Ashland, Massachusetts)
02/18/2013
(Cheshire, England)
02/18/2013
To: Mxramcer95 from Ashland, Massachusetts. I have just been reading this article, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-53201/How-boost-circulation-naturally.html, and wondered what you make of it.
(Seattle, Wa - Usa)
02/18/2013
Hi Mxramcer95, I am sorry for your loss(es). I am wondering if you can quote your source for such information? All I can find are studies saying Vitamin C is GOOD for circulation.
I have read a couple of Linus Pauling books in the past, and don't remember anything negative re taking large - massive in some cases over 10 grams a day - doses of Vitamin C. In fact, quite the opposite.
Please, if we are going to say things such as you did, let us know more info on why it is you believe such a thing? Thanks.
(Nashville)
06/07/2015
Vitamin K
The researcher starts out by mentioning vitamin K is good for circulation, so thought maybe it would work for chilblains - which has to do with circulation. I gave my son one capsule a day and it cleared up the problem within days. I kept up this dosage for a week and now give it to him a couple of times a week. I will do so until it warms up outside.
