Arthritis More Arthritis Types & Related Conditions Natural Remedies for Raynaud's Phenomenon By Cathy Wong Cathy Wong Facebook Twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 27, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Riteesha G. Reddy, MD Medically reviewed by Riteesha G. Reddy, MD Riteesha G. Reddy, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist and internist at a private practice in Dallas, Texas. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Natural Remedies Preventing Flares Raynaud's phenomenon (also known as "Raynaud's syndrome" or "Raynaud's disease") is a condition where cold temperatures and/or stress cause small blood vessels to narrow and, in turn, temporarily restrict blood flow to your fingers, toes, ears, and nose. GARO / PHANIE / Getty Images Raynaud's Symptoms Although symptoms vary from person to person, Raynaud's typically causes the affected body parts to turn white, then blue, in response to stress or exposure to cold. An attack can last a few minutes to more than an hour. Once blood flow resumes, the affected area may turn red before returning to its usual color. In many cases, people with Raynaud's show signs of the disease in the same fingers on both hands. Attacks may be as brief as a few minutes or as long as several hours. While Raynaud's isn't always uncomfortable, people with secondary Raynaud's often experience stinging or burning sensations and can develop painful ulcerations or even gangrene. Causes Scientists have yet to determine why the blood vessels of people with Raynaud's tend to spasm and constrict in response to cold temperatures and stress. However, the condition appears to be more common among women, as well as people who live in colder climates and/or have a family history of Raynaud's. In some cases (known as "secondary Raynaud's"), the syndrome is associated with other conditions or lifestyle issues, including: Atherosclerosis Buerger's disease Carpal tunnel syndrome Connective tissue diseases, such as Sjogren's syndrome, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis Repeated injury Rheumatoid arthritis Smoking Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) Thyroid disorders Use of certain drugs (such as amphetamines and certain types of beta-blockers and cancer medications) Natural Remedies So far, there is a lack of scientific support for the use of remedies in the treatment of Raynaud's, however, the following approaches may offer some benefits. Biofeedback In biofeedback training, people learn how to consciously influence the body's vital functions (including breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure) with the help of relaxation techniques and information feedback delivered by specialized electronic devices. Although some practitioners encourage using biofeedback to help control body temperature and lessen the severity and frequency of Raynaud's attacks, a research review published in 2009 concluded that biofeedback does not work for Raynaud's disease. Nutritional Supplements Some older research had suggested that taking essential fatty acid supplements may be mildly effective in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon. And vitamin B3 (also known as niacin) was also thought to benefit people with Raynaud's since the nutrient causes blood vessels to dilate and stimulates circulation to the skin. However, niacin has not been extensively studied as a treatment for Raynaud's and may cause side effects such as diarrhea, headache, stomach upset, and adverse skin reactions. Additionally, further research has found no benefits from supplementation. And current reviews evaluating the evidence-based management of Raynaud's do not include discussions of supplementation. Health Benefits of Niacin Ginkgo Biloba Another natural remedy thought to be useful in preventing Raynaud's attacks, ginkgo biloba has not been extensively studied for its effects on the disease. The available research includes a small study published in Clinical Rheumatology that compared ginkgo biloba extract to nifedipine sustained-release (a type of medication known as a calcium channel blocker). After treatment for eight weeks, nifedipine was found to be more effective at reducing the number of attacks, with improvement in those taking nifedipine at 50.1%, compared to 31.0% in those taking ginkgo. Preventing Flare-Ups Your healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle changes: Avoiding caffeineWearing protective clothing and accessories (such as mittens or gloves) when exposed to coldQuitting smokingExercising regularlyManaging stress A Word From Verywell It's too soon to recommend any remedy to treat Raynaud's phenomenon. If you're considering trying a natural approach, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider first to weigh the potential risks and benefits and to discuss whether it is appropriate (and safe) for you. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with chronic inflammation? An anti-inflammatory diet can help. Our free recipe guide shows you the best foods to fight inflammation. Get yours today! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 6 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institutes of Health. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Raynaud's. National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Raynaud’s phenomenon. October 2016 Malenfant D, Catton M, Pope JE. The efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon: a literature review and meta-analysis. Rheumatology. 2009 48(7):791-5. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kep039 Digiacomo RA, Kremer JM, Shah DM. Fish-oil dietary supplementation in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon: a double-blind, controlled, prospective study. Am J Med. 1989;86(2):158-64.doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(89)90261-1 Herrick AL. Evidence-based management of Raynaud's phenomenon. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2017;9(12):317–329. doi:10.1177/1759720X17740074 Choi WS, Choi CJ, Kim KS, et al. To compare the efficacy and safety of nifedipine sustained release with Ginkgo biloba extract to treat patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon in South Korea; Korean Raynaud study (KOARA study). Clin Rheumatol. 2009;28(5):553-9. doi:10.1007/s10067-008-1084-9 Additional Reading Malenfant D, Catton M, Pope JE. The efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon: a literature review and meta-analysis. Rheumatology. 2009 48(7):791-5. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kep039