Numbness in hands and feet, also called hypoesthesia, is usually a symptom of an underlying problem. Whether you’re an active older adult, or a younger person who exercises regularly, numbness and tingling in hands and feet needs to be taken seriously. If it’s temporary, happens once in a while, it’s fine. Generally, the numbness lasts just a few minutes, and is not a cause for concern. However, if the numbness, tingling, and sharp pain is persistent, then it’s time to take stock of the situation and get it looked at.
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Symptoms of numbness in hands and feet
The most common symptoms of numbness in hands and feet include:
- Burning
- Loss of sensation in hands and feet
- Tingling feeling
- Lethargy
- Fatigue
- Intense ache
- Weakness
Causes of numbness in hands and feet
There are several causes of numbness in hands and feet, but these are the most common ones:
- Constant pressure on hands and feet
- Nerve injury
- Temporary nerve compression
- Medical conditions like migraine, thyroid dysfunction, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis
- Exposure to extreme weather conditions
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Poor diet that leads to nutritional deficiencies
- Deficiency of vitamin B12, and magnesium
- Excessive smoking
- Alcohol abuse
Home remedies for numbness in hands and feet
Although these symptoms and causes may seem like too much to deal with, they’re not. There are natural home remedies for numbness in hands and feet, that helps treat the condition effectively. Let’s take a look:
1. Warm compress
The affected areas need to be exposed to warm temperatures through a warm compress. This will help increase the blood flow to the numb area, thereby relaxing the muscles and nerves in the area.
Remedies
- Dip a clean washcloth in warm water. Apply it to the affected areas after wringing out the excess water. Let it stay there for 5-7 minutes. Repeat as needed, till the numbness is gone completely.
- A warm shower and a heating pad work well too.
2. Massages
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To get rid of numbness in hands and feet, you can massage them to increase blood flow to the affected areas. Additionally, it also stimulates the nerves and muscles, thereby improving the overall functioning.
Remedy
- Pour 3 tablespoons of warm coconut, mustard, or olive oil on your palms and massage it into your hands and feet, using circular motions. Apply pressure to the numb areas, and continue massaging for about 5 minutes. Repeat this remedy as needed.
3. Elevate the affected parts of the body
To improve blood circulation and alleviate numbness in hands and feet, elevating the body part that is affected helps. Do this for a several minutes so that blood flows to the affected areas and get back to normal. This helps combat the numbness.
4. Cinnamon
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Cinnamon is an amazing ingredient which contains potassium and manganese, along with important B vitamins. These nutrients help improve blood circulation to your arms and legs, thus helping combat numbness in those regions.
Remedies
- To a glass of warm water, add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon powder and stir well. Drink this once a day for positive results.
- Mix together 1 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and honey, and ingest it every morning for a few weeks to combat numbness in hands and feet effectively.
5. Epsom salt
An effective home remedy to treat numbness in hands and feet, Epsom salt helps elevate magnesium levels in the body, thereby increasing blood flow. Blood supply in adequate levels ensures that there is no numbness.
Remedy
- Add half a cup of Epsom salt to a small tub filled with warm water. Stir well and soak your feet in it for about 10 minutes. Repeat this remedy a few times a week to get rid of numbness in hand and feet.
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6. Exercise
Exercise is one of the best ways to increase and improve blood flow and oxygen in your body, which in turn helps prevent numbness and tingling sensations. Also, regular exercise improves mobility too.
Remedies
- Exercises that elevate your heart rate – cardiovascular workouts – like aerobic exercises, help a lot.
- Cycling, jogging, running, swimming, and walking are all known to improve blood flow.
- Simple hand and foot exercises in the morning for about 15 minutes helps a lot.
- When you’re at your desk, exercise your arms, hands, wrists, and legs by doing simple curls and stretches.
7. Gingko biloba
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Gingko biloba is a popular herb used in traditional medicine, because it possesses healing properties, while also helping improve blood circulation, brain function, and its antioxidant properties.
Remedy
- Ingest gingko biloba supplements, but only after consulting a doctor about its suitability and dosage.
8. Avocado
Avocado is rich in many essential nutrients, including magnesium, which helps improve blood circulation in the body. Also, if your body isn’t getting sufficient amounts of magnesium, it causes numbness in hands and feet.
Remedy
- Include avocado into your regular dietary intake so that you can get rid of the problem of numbness.
9. Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound that helps improve blood circulation through your body. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain and discomfort in the affected areas.
Remedies
- To 1 cup of warm milk, add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder. Add a bit of honey for taste, and stir well. Drink this once a day to improve blood circulation.
- Ingesting turmeric supplements every day works well too. Consult your doctor for the dosage, and to know if they would actually help with numbness in hands and feet.
- Add enough water to 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder to form a smooth paste. Apply this on the affected areas, and massage for a few minutes. Let it stay for a few more minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water.
10. Olive oil
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Olive oil is rich in vital nutrients, which help improve the internal health of the body, while also helping improve the blood flow in the body.
Remedies
- Include olive oil in your regular dietary intake. Instead of regular cooking oil, use extra virgin olive oil to cook your food.
- Massage affected areas with olive oil to relieve the numbness.
11. Cayenne
A tea prepared with cayenne is known to relieve numbness in hands and feet.
Remedy
- Boil 2 cups of water, and add cayenne, ginger, and garlic to it, and bring to a boil. Consume this broth at least 3 times in a week to get relief from the numbness.
12. Indian gooseberry
Indian gooseberry is rich in vitamin C and other vital nutrients, which help improve the blood flow throughout your body. So it’s one of the best ingredients to combat numbness in hands and feet.
Remedies
- To 1 glass of milk, stir in 1 tablespoon of Indian gooseberry powder. Drink this every morning for a few weeks to notice improvement.
- You could also stir it into a glass of water and drink it.
13. Consume foods rich in B vitamins
Vitamin B6 and B12 are essential to prevent numbness and tingling sensations in your hands and feet. These vitamins promote healthy nerve functioning, and therefore, their deficiency can cause numbness in hands, feet, fingers, arms, and even legs.
Remedies
- Include foods that are rich in vitamin B6 and B12 in your regular dietary intake. These foods include eggs, avocados, fish, beans, yogurt, nuts, dried fruits, bananas, meats, cereals, milk, and cheese.
- Ingest vitamin B-complex supplements, but only after consulting a doctor for dosage information.
14. Consume foods rich in magnesium
If magnesium levels drop in the body, it could cause numbness in hands and feet. It is a mineral that is essential for the smooth functioning of the nervous system and blood circulation in the body.
Remedies
- Include foods that are rich in magnesium in your regular dietary intake. These foods include avocado, bananas, soybeans, yogurt, peanut butter, cold water fish, oatmeal, nuts, and dark green vegetables.
- You could also ingest magnesium supplements, but only after consulting your doctor about the dosage.
15. Water
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If your body isn’t getting sufficient water, it could also cause numbness and tingling sensations. Therefore, it’s highly important to keep your body hydrated by drinking sufficient water through the day.
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Additional tips
- Engage in any light physical activities every day to keep your blood flow on an even keel.
- If your feet start to go numb, don’t stay in one position for a long time. Move around to improve blood circulation.
- Avoid caffeine and alcoholic drinks since they can affect blood circulation.
- Avoid cigarettes and other tobacco products.
- Consume more fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables, and give a pass to refined and highly processed foods.
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water through the day to avoid dehydration, which could cause poor blood circulation.
These are all the natural home remedies for numbness in hands and feet. However, if the numbness persists despite these remedies, then it’s time you consult a doctor to figure out the underlying problem and get the necessary treatment.
Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
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