Raynaud's Disease -- Homeopathic Remedies

Raynaud's disease is a circulatory disorder involving spasms in small blood vessels in the extremities. The tips of the fingers and toes turn pale or bluish, and tightness, numbness, and tingling are often felt. Warming up the affected area eventually restores the circulation and color. Raynaud's is usually brought on by exposure to cold, or by emotional stress, but is sometimes related to autoimmune disorders. Homeopathic remedies can help to relieve discomfort. The tendency toward episodes may be reduced with the help of a constitutional remedy and the guidance of an experienced practitioner.

Although homeopathic substances listed in this article are generally not known to cause serious side effects, their effectiveness has not been demonstrated by scientific research. Consumers should check labels carefully, since a homeopathic product that is not diluted, or not diluted enough, can contain ingredients that cause allergic reactions, side effects, or interactions. It is always advisable to discuss any new treatment program with your healthcare practitioner.

For dosage information, please read the information at the end of this section. See also “Using Homeopathy With Professional Guidance” in What Is Homeopathy?

Homeopathic Options

This remedy can be useful when the tips of the extremities are icy cold, with a burning sensation that is much relieved by heat. The fingers or other affected areas may also look swollen and feel itchy. People who need Arsenicum are often perfectionistic, restless, anxious, and feel chilly generally.

People who need this remedy have very cold extremities and often look pale and feel weak or faint, with a strong desire for moving air, and a tendency toward indigestion. Toes and fingertips may have a cramping sensation and sometimes overreact to circulation problems by turning red.

This remedy may be helpful with Raynaud's disease if the person also has a tendency toward pain and tightness in the region of the shoulder-blades and neck (especially on the right). A tendency toward right-sided headaches, indigestion, and liver problems also suggest the use of Chelidonium.

Individuals who need this remedy are extremely sensitive to drafts and cold, and often need to wear gloves and be warmly dressed, or even to stay indoors, to prevent unpleasant symptoms. People who need this remedy are often vulnerable in many ways, and can be very irritable and touchy.

If a person with Raynaud's disease has cold extremities most of the time, and feels chronically worn out and irritable, this remedy may help. Circulation may be poor because the person's internal muscle tone is lax (including the tone of the blood-vessels). The person may also experience chronic constipation or a weak or sagging feeling in the pelvic organs. Exercise often improves the symptoms, as well as the person's mood and energy.

This remedy may be indicated for icy coldness and paleness-even blueness-with a sensation of cramping in the tips of the extremities. People who need this remedy often feel extremely cold and weak with other physical disorders, such as diarrhea and vomiting, or difficult menstrual periods.

Dosage

Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label.

Many homeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.

If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy.

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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires February 2010.