Home Remedies for Cold Feet

Cold feet can be quite a common problem in people with poor blood circulation.

Physiologically, your feet get cold when inadequate oxygen and blood supply reach the legs due to poor blood circulation. When the circulation improves, the problem goes away.

However, persistent cold extremities can also be a symptom of other health problems, such as anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, restless legs syndrome, peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism, Raynaud’s disease and hypothermia.

Nutritional deficiencies, alcohol abuse and excessive smoking are also contributing factors in cold feet.

If cold feet are accompanied by additional symptoms like changes in skin color, numbness or tingling sensations, open sores or blisters, and tightened or hardened skin, seek medical attention immediately.

As the reasons for cold feet differ from person to person, consult a doctor for proper diagnosis if you have this problem frequently. In the meantime, you can try some simple and effective home remedies for relief.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for cold feet.

1. Warm Oil Massage

Massaging your feet is a simple and therapeutic way to restore warmth. It stimulates blood flow to your extremities.

Plus, regular foot massage will help keep your feet healthy and free from many kinds of foot problems.

1. Warm some olive, coconut or sesame oil in the microwave for a few seconds.
2. Apply this warm oil on one of your cold feet.
3. Use gentle but firm pressure with your fingers to massage from toe to ankle for 10 minutes.
4. Repeat with the other foot.
5. After the massage, put on cotton socks.
6. Do this daily before going to bed and, if needed, once again during the day.

2. Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is one of the simplest options that you can try at home to restore warmth to your feet.

Hydrotherapy utilizes both cold and warm water soaks. The warm water soak helps improve circulation, while the cold water soak helps reduce symptoms.

1. Fill 2 foot tubs or basins – one with cold water and the other with warm water.
2. Sit in a comfortable position, and soak your feet in cold water for 2 minutes.
3. Then, switch to the warm water basin for 1 minute.
4. Continue alternating between the two basins for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Pat dry immediately and put on warm socks.
6. Repeat a few times daily until you get relief.

Note: You can mix a few drops of ginger, rosemary, peppermint or cypress essential oil in the water.

3. Foot Exercises

Exercising your feet is essential to keep the blood flowing continuously and keep your feet warm. Foot exercises also help strengthen blood vessels. For example, you can walk alternately on your toes and then your heels for 10 to 15 minutes. A few more exercises are:

Foot Exercise #1

Stand up straight on the tips of your toes for 1 minute, then slowly come down on your heels. Repeat the procedure for 10 minutes.

Foot Exercise #2

While seated, rotate each foot clockwise and then counter-clockwise at the ankle joint 10 to 20 times.

Foot Exercise #3

Use your toes to pick up a piece of cloth or some other object from the floor. Repeat several times.

Perform any of these exercises to restore warmth when you feel your feet getting cold.

4. Epsom Salt

Another simple way to make your feet warm is an Epsom salt soak. The heat of the warm water will have a warming effect, while the magnesium sulfate present in Epsom salt will provide magnesium to the body.

Magnesium deficiency is one of the causes of cold feet as well as hands.

1. Mix ½ cup of Epsom salt in a small tub filled with warm water.
2. Stir until the salt is dissolved.
3. Soak your feet in it for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Repeat this remedy twice a week.

5. Ginger

Ginger promotes blood circulation and can help combat cold extremities. It contains compounds like gingerols and zingerone that have a warming effect on the body. Plus, it can reduce the risk of blood clots.

• Simmer 1 tablespoon of sliced ginger in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes. Strain, add a little raw honey and drink it 2 or 3 times a day.
• Boil a pot of water with a handful of ginger slices. Allow it to cool, then soak your feet in this solution for 15 minutes, twice daily.
• Another option is to take ginger supplements, after consulting your doctor.

6. Green Tea

Green tea is considered a valuable natural cure for cold feet. Drinking green tea improves the functioning of the vessels that carry blood through the body, including your feet.

• Drink 2 to 3 cups of green tea throughout the day. To make green tea, add 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves to a cup of hot water, cover and steep for 5 minutes. Strain, sweeten with honey and drink it.
• You can also steep 3 or 4 green tea bags in a large pot of hot water for 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and soak your feet in it for 10 minutes. Repeat twice daily.