Dear David, It seems many people are using " Raynaud Syndrom" and "Chilblains" interchangeably when referring to certain discomfort/color changes in fingers/toes. I have more than one client telling me they have chilblains and have been diagnosed with Raynaud Syndrome (not Covid-related). I am confused , because while the mechanism of Raynaud seems to be vasoconstriction - arterial "spasms" leading to reduced blood flow), chilblains seem to be the result of damage to the capillaries/capillary bed (with blood then perfusing into the tissue out of the capillaries) - but I do not understand what mechanism is behind this damage. So herbally, in case of Raynaud, would I be thinking of working on the muscles/nerves (spasms) or rather on circulation? Both? In our MM sheets herbs like Ginkgo, Red Ginseng, Honry Goat Weed, Cinnamon etc. mention Raynaud for internal use. In addition some topical application of e.g. Horse Chestnut, Ginger etc. Would you always use both topical and internal protocols? Or would you consider one of them more relevant? In case of chilblains, would I need to address blood vessel integrity? As such I have not found chilblains mentioned in our MM sheets. What herbs would you be considering for this? I guess in this case we would only consider internal treatment, not topical? Thank you for sharing any thoughts/experience you might have with this. All the best, Betina

The mechanism is damage to the tissues from cold temperatures. Both Look at Standardized Ginkgo, Red Ginseng, Honry Goat Weed, Cinnamon etc. mention Raynaud for internal use. Gotu Kola, Butchers Broom, Prickly Ash, Ginger, Cinnamon, Horse Chestnut,. Internal treatment is more important, topical treatment is adjunctive. In case of chilblains, would I need to address blood vessel integrity? Yes Internal herbs to stabilize capillary integrity. These conditions are not the same.