Ginger and ginger-vasodilator-2026">Blood Circulation: How it Improves Blood Flow

The ginger is a natural vasodilator known to improve blood circulation throughout the body. Heavy legs, cold extremities, water retention? Here's how ginger can help.

How Ginger Improves Circulation

1. Vasodilation

Gingerol relaxes the smooth muscles of blood vessels, causing dilation which increases blood flow. This effect is comparable to that of NO (nitric oxide), the body's main endogenous vasodilator.

2. Blood thinning

Ginger slightly inhibits platelet aggregation, making the blood thinner and reducing the risk of clots. This is a mechanism similar to that of low-dose aspirin.

3. Thermogenic effect

Ginger increases body temperature from the inside. This thermogenesis stimulates peripheral circulation — which is why your hands and feet warm up after consuming ginger.

4. Reduction of vascular inflammation

Chronic inflammation damages vessel walls and reduces the elasticity of the arteries. The action anti-inflammatory-natural-powerful-2026">anti-inflammatory ginger protects the vascular endothelium.

Who can benefit from it?

• Heavy legs / varicose veins : ginger improves venous return and reduces the feeling of heaviness
• Raynaud's syndrome : the warming effect relieves cold extremities
• Water retention : better circulation promotes lymphatic drainage
• Sportsmen : better muscle irrigation improves performance and recovery
• Cardiovascular health : in combination with its effects on the blood pressure and the cholesterol-ldl-hdl-triglycerides-naturel-2026">cholesterol

How to Use Ginger for Circulation

Internally

• A ginger shot INTI in the morning for a concentrated vasodilator effect
• 2-3 cups of ginger tea spread throughout the day
• Ginger water to drink throughout the day

In local application

• Foot bath : infuse 50 g of fresh ginger in 2L of hot water. Soak your feet for 20 min. The warming effect is immediate.
• Massage : mix 5 drops of ginger essential oil in 30 ml of sweet almond oil. Massage the legs from bottom to top to stimulate venous return.

Precautions

The thinning effect of the blood requires caution in people taking anticoagulants (warfarin, high dose aspirin). Check out the contraindications.

FAQ — Ginger and Circulation