Herbal Treatment for Raynaud’s – Worth a Try
Raynaud’s is a relatively common condition affecting a significant portion of the population.
Young women between the ages of 15 and 30 are more likely to experience primary Raynaud’s, whereas older adults over the age of 40 may have secondary Raynaud’s, which is frequently associated with other illnesses. It affects a wide age group, with peaks in adolescence and women with hormone imbalances.
What signs and symptoms are associated with Raynaud’s?
Raynaud’s ailment symptoms are as follows: a shift in skin tone from white to blue and then red, as well as coldness, numbness, tingling, and “pins and needles” or throbbing in the afflicted parts, such as fingers and toes, which are brought on by constriction of blood vessels and decreased blood supply to the limbs.
In severe cases of Raynaud’s attack, patients have to endure edema and pain. Moreover, protracted loss of blood circulation can result in ulcer formation on fingertips and toes and early onset of arthritis.
What, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, is the cause of Raynaud’s affliction?
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the underlying cause of Raynaud’s is the blockage of Qi and blood flow in the Meridians, the body’s energy-carrying pathways, which is what causes Raynaud’s ailment.
Blockages are triggered when the internal imbalance combines with external cold.
According to TCM, Yang—the active, energetic, and functional aspect of the body—deficiency in the kidney is stated to be the root cause of creating internal cold, which, when exposed to external cold, causes characteristic vasospasm in the extremities—hands and feet, including arms and legs.
In modern medicine, inflammation in the blood vessels can lead to Raynaud’s. People who eat a lot of spicy food, nuts, and seeds, and take long-term birth control pills, tend to have poor circulation in their hands and feet. When the peripheral nerves are inflamed, the blood circulation will be compromised. The blood vessels become very sensitive to temperature changes.
How does an herbal treatment help alleviate Raynaud’s ailment?
Herbal formula such as Dang Gui Si Ni Tang (DGSN) has been used in China for over 5000 years. The crucial herbs used by Chinese Medicine for Raynaud’s include Dang-Kuei (danggui), cinnamon bark, peony root, and ginger, which nourish the blood, improve digestion, and relax smooth muscle spasms. Each person has his/her constitution and root cause of Raynaud’s. An experienced herbalist will add more herbs to address the root cause of Raynaud’s.
How is herbal therapy administered to patients?
Herbal medicines for Raynaud’s are administered orally as specifically concocted formulations or as supplements to a specific diet regime. In many cases, herbal treatment of Raynaud’s ailment may be combined with acupuncture, and if an acupuncturist needs to address other issues such as diabetes, IBS, and neuropathy.
What are the benefits of herbal treatment for Raynaud’s?
The potential benefits of the herbal protocol for treating Raynaud’s are as follows:
1) Improved blood circulation
2) Reduced frequency and severity of Raynaud’s attacks
3) Enhanced blood flow and continuity of normal body temperature
4) Reduced smooth muscle spasms
5) Enhanced gut health
Research and studies on the efficacy of herbal medicine on Raynaud’s
Meta-analyses published in NIH (PubMed) state that Chinese Medicine’s herbal decoctions made from “Danggui Sini Tang and other self-composed ancient medicines” produced greater improvement on global symptoms: hands and feet are no longer so sensitive to the cold, and the skin color will not change dramatically when the temperature drops slightly in a cold environment. The pain induced by cold exposure will be reduced. The time for the skin color come back to its normal appearance is much faster. Improved circulation will help people prevent arthritis in the future when they get older.
A well-established Traditional Chinese Medicine holistic health center, such as Boca and Boston Acupuncture Clinics, recommends herbal medicine as a complementary or even a standalone treatment for Raynaud’s, which helps address the root cause of Raynaud’s.
Reference:
Yu JS, Lee D, Hyun D, Chang SJ. Herbal Medicines for Cold Hypersensitivity in the Hands and Feet: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Altern Complement Med. 2018 Dec;24(12):1150-1158. doi: 10.1089/acm. 2018.0009. Epub 2018 Jul 11. PMID: 29993255; PMCID: PMC6308292.
Zhang J, Hu J, He X, Meng Y, Chen G, Chen Z, Lü J, Li P. Effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine for primary Raynaud’s phenomenon: a systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Tradit Chin Med. 2020 Aug;40(4):509-517. doi: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2020.04.001. PMID: 32744019.
Zhou F, Huang E, Zheng E, Deng J. The use of acupuncture in patients with Raynaud’s syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Acupunct Med. 2023 Apr;41(2):63-72. doi: 10.1177/09645284221076504. Epub 2022 May 24. PMID: 35608095; PMCID: PMC10115941.