Are you feeling tired and lethargic? Do you feel numbness in the toes and fingers? If so, there is a high probability that you are suffering from poor circulation.

The good news is that there are several Essential Oils that help your circulation by naturally stimulating blood flow.

Essential oils for circulation can include coriander, ginger, sandalwood, juniper and peppermint. These all help to facilitate blood flow, while those with astringent properties such as geranium, frankincense, cypress and lemon help to improve poor circulation by toning the blood vessels.

Common causes of poor circulation include ageing, being overweight, smoking, and little exercise. Besides fatigue and numbness, other symptoms of poor circulation include cold hands and feet, a tingling feeling in the legs or arms, water retention, dizziness and headaches.

Essential oils can work in different ways to stimulate blood flow in the veins as well as lymph movement in the lymphatic system. Often called tonics, essential oils that increase blood flow and also help to shift toxin build-up in your body.

Ethereal Therapy treats a client with Circulation Boosting Massage Oil, a blend of essential oils, at Grande Prairie, Alberta. Client finds the warmth returning to her foot very rapidly.

In our opinion, the top 3 essential oils for improving your circulation are:

Cypress Essential Oil (Cupressus Sempervirens)

Cypress essential oil has haemostatic and astringent properties which lead to the contraction of blood vessels. This in turn stimulates blood flow.

Because of its ability to stimulate blood flow, cypress is used by many as a home remedy for varicose veins. By topically applying cypress, proper blood flow from the legs to the heart is restored. You can also take a bath to improve circulation by adding 4 drops cypress, 3 drops grapefruit and 1 drop of nutmeg mixed with a bath salt or oil.

The good news for women who are self-conscious about cellulite, is that cypress essential oil has the ability to reduce the appearance of cellulite by stimulating circulation. Cellulite is often caused by lack of circulation or fluid retention. Cypress does not only stimulate circulation by increasing blood flow, but also removes excess water and salt that can lead to fluid retention through its diuretic properties.

The anti-spasmodic qualities of cypress essential oil help with cramps and muscle strains. Some cramps are as a result of lactic acid, which can cleared up by the diuretic properties of cypress. The same diuretic properties help to flush out toxins.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil (Eucalyptus Globulus)

Eucalyptus essential oil is considered to be a vasodilator. This means it increases the blood flow by relaxing the blood vessels, thereby allowing more blood to circulate. For this very reason eucalyptus has proven to be effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Symptoms of fibromyalgia include chronic muscle aches, with poor circulation leading to the build-up of toxins in the body’s soft tissues.

Eucalyptus can even make you “clever”. It has commonly been applied to improve blood flow to the brain. And more blood to the brain means increased brain power. Therefore, the use of eucalyptus as a form of causal aromatherapy is often seen in classrooms.

As a detoxifying antiseptic, eucalyptus boosts the respiratory and immune system which ultimately contributes to improved circulation.

Diabetics, who routinely suffer from poor circulation, are advised to rub a cream containing eucalyptus into their skin after every shower.

You can also treat poor circulation using eucalyptus by making a massage oil blend consisting of 3 or 4 drops eucalyptus, 3 or 4 drops rosemary and 30 ml sweet almond oil. Or mix 15 to 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil with 60 ml carrier oil for a soothing herbal bath.

You can also inhale eucalyptus by adding a few drops to a bowl of boiling hot water. Cover your head and the bowl with a towel and inhale the steam. As an added benefit, it will open up the nasal passages and invigorate the senses.

Coriander Essential Oil (Coriandrum Sativum)

Coriander is known for its ability to facilitate stress release and combat inflammation and depression. The anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties of coriander essential oil is widely appreciated by sportspersons who effectively use it as massage oil to improve blood circulation. Relief of stiff joints and muscle aches are achieved at the same time.

Coriander can also be inhaled straight from a cloth soaked with the oil or direct inhalation from vaporizers, steam or sprays. While some people have ingested small doses of coriander essential oil, this is not advised without the supervision of your medical doctor or qualified aromatherapist.

Other essential oils for circulation and how to apply them

Other essential oils for circulation include ginger, black pepper, rosemary and Spanish sage. Grapefruit essential oil falls into a category of its own, being both a tonic and a stimulant for the circulatory system.

A simple treatment for poor circulation is to add essential oils to a warm bath. Dry skin brushing with essential oils is also recommended to increase circulation. While dry brushing is a great way to stimulate the body’s circulatory and lymphatic systems, the use of aromatic essential oils further aids blood flow.

Aromatherapists agree that essential oils are better absorbed by exfoliating the skin at the same time. Always dry brush before bathing or showering and mix the essential oils with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil before applying.

There are different ways to combine aromatherapy with dry brushing. You can first do the dry brushing and afterwards apply the essential oils topically or get into a bath to which essential oils have been added. Another option is to place a few drops of essential oils directly on the brush.

Complement your treatment with other natural ways to improve poor blood circulation. These include exercising, healthy eating, quitting smoking and drinking enough water and reducing caffeine and alcohol consumption.

Note: Poor circulation can be the result of many possible causes. It is important to have the cause diagnosed by a medical practitioner before deciding on the correct essential oils for circulation to help relieve your specific symptoms.