THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM IN JULY
- Martina Trenier
- Jul 1, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: May 10, 2024
It is July - school is finished, people go on holiday; this period is the peak of nature's activity and the weather can be really hot. Summer is here and our blood circulation is very active; it is the most endangered system in our body in July and we have to calm it down.
The blood circulatory system consists of the heart and the blood vessels (arteries, capillaries and veins), running through the entire body. A blood vessel is a tubular structure that carries blood through the tissues and organs. The circulatory system delivers nutrients and oxygen to all cells in the body. It carries oxygen and nutrients to the cells and picks up carbon dioxide and waste products.
An artery is a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart and into capillaries providing oxygen and other nutrients to tissue and cells. Once oxygen is removed, the blood travels back to the lungs, where it is "reoxygenated" and returned by veins to the heart. Arteries are thicker than veins.
Veins are blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart.
Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in the body, they merge to bring blood into the venous system (it allows nutrient exchange).
Blood is a body fluid that delivers nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from the same cells.
Blood from the heart is pumped throughout the body using the blood vessels. Blood has four main components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets ( pieces of cells in the bone marrow; they help form blood clots to slow or stop bleeding and to heal).
The heart governs our blood and vessels.
The circulatory system is an organ system that permits blood to circulate and transport nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones and blood cells to and from the cells in the body to provide nourishment and help in fighting diseases, stabilize temperature and pH and maintain homeostasis.
Symptoms of poor circulation:
tingling, numbness, pain, muscle cramps, blood clots, diabetes, digestive issues, obesity, smoking, varicose veins and more
Reduced blood flow can cause all of these symptoms and also coldness in the hands and feet.
In warm weather the organism is clogged and our blood circulation suffers. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen it, especially with exercise and healthy foods. Problems can arise from reduced blood circulation manifesting with having "pins and needles in the legs" or tingling sensations. We need to strengthen the blood vessels and the whole blood circulation of our body. The face and tongue are both rich in blood vessels, therefore I always use them for my external observations with my clients during the massage treatment.
Treatment for poor circulation:
*Quit smoking
*exercise - there are special exercises for poor circulation
*lose weight if overweight - walking, biking, swimming.....
*stay hydrated
*reduce stress - yoga, tai-chi, meditation
*massage and aromatherapy
*use essential oils for better circulation such as geranium (30 drops of geranium essential oil to 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and rub it on your hands, face or feet)
*follow a healthy diet
Healthy diet to improve the blood circulation includes cayenne pepper, pomegranate, onions, garlic, turmeric, lemon, grapefruit, berries, walnuts, ginger, tomatoes, cinnamon, beets, leafy greens, wild caught salmon.
Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease occurs when the major blood vessels around the heart become diseased. It affects the heart itself. The plaque in the coronary arteries starts to build up. The plaque forms when cholesterol (fat) builds up and starts to block the flow of oxygen.
Symptoms: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle or physical inactivity, smoking, high stress levels, inflammation in the body
Unhealthy foods: whole milk, cream, butter, margarine, fried foods or food cooked in butter, junk foods, corn and peanut oils, sausages, bacon, sugary foods, candy...
Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis can occur when walls of the arteries can start to harden and the blood vessels become thick and stiff which causes poor circulation and bad nutrient distribution.
Symptoms: Chronic stress!, high blood pressure, high amount of sugar in the blood
Treatment:
*make life changes - reduce stress, lower cholesterol levels, exercise, *massage
*eat healthy foods such as turmeric
*use essential oils
*use omega 3 fish oil and magnesium
have a doctor's annual physical exam and take a blood test, also get tested for cholesterol and sugar levels in your body
Varicose veins
Varicose veins are common problem among women due to hormonal influences. Varicose veins are swollen, enlarged veins, bulgy veins looking lumpy and dark, located under skin mostly on the legs.
(spider veins are smaller and they are located on surface of skin; they look like web-like shapes). A portion of the blood starts moving backward - which causes swelling and poor circulation. As blood starts pooling in varicose veins, the walls of the veins can become stiff and can't pump the blood back to the heart effectively. They are blue because they hold deoxygenated blood.
Varicose veins signal the lack of our flexibility and tight attachment to the ground. They can signify our "spastic or spasmodic thinking".
We have to free ourselves from torpor, we have to be directors of our lives. We have to know how to relax and not to be stressed all the time. If you are standing in a situation you really hate or if you are feeling overworked and overburdened, you may suffer from varicose veins.
Certain people are most likely to get varicose veins. Overweight and obese people, pregnant or menopause women, women on birth control pills, people who sit or stand in their jobs for a long time, people with poor circulation - these people are at risk.
How to treat varicose veins?
- Take the pressure off the legs - exercise, elevate the legs (elevating allows gravity to help the blood flow back to your heart), wear compression stockings, avoid high heels, change sitting or standing position regularly, don't cross your legs when you sit, shift from one leg to another
- massage your legs and feet
- take regular baths alternating between very warm and cold ( always finish with cold water) - it stimulates blood flow circulation
- contract leg muscles, circle the ankles
- practice yoga - mountain pose, boat pose or place your legs up on the wall
- walk a lot
Food recommendation : eat lot of garlic (garlic is excellent for thinning the blood), raw parsley, food with fiber, lots of fruit (apples, cherries, apricots, oranges, blackberries are great to help with varicose veins), apple cider vinegar, magnesium rich foods such as spinach, quinoa, almonds, cashews, avocado, black beans....
use whole wheat flour and brown rice instead of white one
- a tincture made of grapes leaves is an excellent treatment for varicose veins, nettle juice or tea; drink plenty of water but also have some salt as well, be sure you have enough magnesium in your body (talk to your doctor)
Varicose veins daytime massage oil: 15 drops of geranium and 15 drops of cypress diluted in 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
" I move in joy, I love life!"
" I'm free to circulate love and joy in every part of my world!"
"Love and joy circulate freely into my life"
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