Health care for your feet

Seldom do we pay enough attention to the health of our feet. It usually takes a painful or uncomfortable problem for us to really notice them and seek help. So, what are some common ailments that can affect our feet?

Dry, cracked feet

Wearing open shoes and sandals throughout the summer months can result in dry, cracked feet. Choose a foot cream formulated to contain nourishing ingredients for dry cracked skin, such as calendula, St John’s wort, Vitamins C and A, rosehip oil, or almond or jojoba oil. After applying the cream slip on some socks to seal in the ingredients.

Hot, tired feet

Whether it is from standing all day at work, walking too far in uncomfortable shoes or simply hot, humid summer days, peppermint is the key ingredient you want to cool tired and hot feet. Find a peppermint scented foot cream or use the essential oil of peppermint and dispense two drops into a footbath at room temperature.

Aching, swollen feet

Horse chestnut is the herb of choice for tired, aching feet and legs. Horse chestnut is a vein tonic indicated for conditions involving congestion of the veins, particularly where there is a dull aching pain and fullness.

People who stand all day in their jobs or find their feet and legs swell during the summer months could benefit from the amazing actions of horse chestnut.

Infections

Tinea is a fungal infection, also known as ‘athlete’s foot’, which can be easily picked up by walking barefoot around swimming pools and change rooms.

For fungal infections of the feet or toes, apply tea tree oil topically to the skin with a cotton bud. Test a small area first as tea tree oil can irritate sensitive skins.

Another option is the antifungal herb thuja, which is available as a cream or liquid extract from an herbal dispensary. Thuja can be applied topically and taken internally if prescribed by a naturopath.

Ensure you dry between each toe thoroughly and if swimming in public pools, wear thongs in the change room, showers and pool area.

Cold feet / poor circulation

Cold feet can be an uncomfortable condition for some people the whole year round.

There are a variety of herbal medicines and nutrients beneficial for circulation, including the herbs ginkgo, grape seed and ginger, Vitamin E and coenzyme Q10.

Including warming herbs such as ginger and chilli regularly in the diet and regularly exercising is important to get the blood moving throughout the circulatory system.

Burning feet, pins and needles or numbness in the feet may also be a sign of poor circulation.