In summer, the heat can cause blood circulation problems: the legs swell, become heavy and sometimes painful. Fortunately, you can rely on aromatherapy to relieve these discomforts naturally. Zoom on a selection of essential oils to take everywhere!

Heavy legs: symptoms and causes

The blood circulation disorders manifest as tingling, prickling, and heavy sensations in the lower extremities. Swelling of the ankles and legs is a common symptom. 

Heavy legs can be explained by poor blood circulation, especially in the venous return. Naturally, when we walk, the arch of the foot by pressure effect, stimulates venous circulation which must go up to the heart while fighting against the effects of gravity. 

A lack of physical exercise, taking medication, an inadequate diet and poorly managed stress are all causes of the sensation of heavy legs. In addition to this, poor lymphatic circulation with engorgement and oedema in the ankles can indeed be added. 

Women seem to be more susceptible to circulatory problems in the lower limbs. Pregnancy, lack of activity, wearing high heels, walking, standing for long periods of time are aggravating factors, as are overweight, heat and air travel!

Essential oils to relieve heavy legs

The essential oils will be diluted in calophyllum vegetable oilpreferably because it is decongestant. Massage from the bottom to the top, in the direction of venous return. Finish with effleurages (always going up) for the cooling effect.

The essential oils below are venotonic, decongestant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory. They thus stimulate the venous and lymphatic circulation allowing the improvement of venous return and the reduction of edema. The cooling sensation is due to vasoconstriction. This property is not negligible when it comes to relieving pain and heaviness in legs in the middle of summer.

• Peppermint, mentha piperita

• Juniper, juniperus communis

• Palmarosa, cymbopogon martinii var. Motia

• niaouli, melaleuca quinquenervia viridiflora

• Lemon eucalyptus, corymbia citriodora or eucalyptus citriodora citronnellalifera

• immortelle, helichrysum italicum

• lemongrass, cymbopogon flexuosus

• katafray,cedrelopsis grevei

Heavy legs: a natural protocol with essential oils 

The laboratory of essential oil Pranarôm has developed a cure in 3 steps to relieve heavy legs permanently and effectively. Pregnant women can enjoy the benefits of the gel and the circulation spray from the 6th month. 

The Circularom protocol includes:

• A spray bio circulation with essential oils (8) coupled with the macerate of buds of horse chestnut, aloe vera and coconut extract.

• A special circulation gel for heavy and tired legs. To be applied every evening even as a preventive measure.

• Oléocaps 6 essential oil capsules to act from the inside and to potentiate the action of the Circularom spray and the gel.

Heavy legs: what to do to relieve them naturally?

• In the plate: to privilege a living food, raw or little cooked, organic or of the garden with dominance vegetarian for the antioxydant, anti-inflammatory and fluidifying virtues

• Practice a physical activity: swimming, cycling, dynamic walking, yoga, etc. The important thing is to get the body moving in order to boost and energize the blood circulation while promoting intra and extra-cellular exchanges.

• Stay hydrated: drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day. You can flavour it with the juice of a squeezed organic lemon, rosemary, fresh mint or horse chestnut buds (gemmotherapy)

• Consuming infusions

- draining: cherry stem, dandelion, lime tree sapwood

- Veinotonic: red vine, witch hazel, blackcurrant leaf, gingko biloba leaf

• Wear compression stockings. By sheathing the legs, it facilitates venous return. Thus, they can greatly improve your comfort (partially reimbursed on medical prescription)

• Avoid wearing tight clothes that cut off blood circulation (skinny jeans) and taking hot baths or showers that dilate the veins and promote the appearance of varicose veins.

• Elevate legs as soon as possible

• Massage the legs with the essential oils presented

• Pregnant women will turn to mint or witch hazel hydrosols to massage on their legs. 

Source: https://www.pranarom.com/blog/guide-sante-beaute-huiles-essentielles/confort-circulatoire/des-huiles-essentielles-contre-les-jambes-lourdes