Varicose veins and telangiectasia (spider veins) are the visible surface manifestations of an underlying venous insufficiency syndrome. Venous insufficiency syndromes allow venous blood to escape from a normal flow path and flow in a retrograde direction into an already congested leg.
Blend 12 drops each of cypress and geranium essential oils in four ounces of a carrier oil such as almond, soy or sunflower. Gently apply the mixture to the legs by stroking upward, in the direction of the heart. Don't massage directly on the veins. Instead, massage the surrounding area and gently stroke the oil over the veins.
Oil of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) massaged gently into an affected area may help stimulate circulation by causing capillaries to dilate. Oils of cypress and chamomile (Matticaria recutita) may soothe swelling and inflammation and help relieve pain.
Use red and yellow all over the affected area for thirty minutes once per day. In cases of ulcers in the legs use blue light radiation for thirty minutes followed by ultraviolet for forty-five minutes, every day for ten to sixty days.
A high-fiber diet helps prevent straining of your stool, which can build up pressure and aggravate varicose veins. It is recommended that you consume at least 30 grams of fiber a day. To accomplish this, build your meals around whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables, adding these foods to your diet as often as possible. Eat plenty of blackberries and cherries. They are rich in compounds that may prevent varicose veins or lessen the discomfort they cause. (See juice therapy for recommendations about fruit juices.)
Vitamin A In the form of beta carotene, 25,000 IU for skin integrity and to speed varicose ulcer healing.
B Complex One comprehensive tablet plus a tablespoon of brewer's yeast daily to help maintain strong blood vessels.
Vitamin C and Bioflavonoids 1,000 to 5,000 milligrams of vitamin C and 100 to 1,000 milligrams of bioflavonoids in divided daily doses to aid circulation, promote the healing of sores, and strengthen vein walls to prevent dilation.
Among bioflavonoids, rutin is used routinely to treat varicose veins. It is present in many foods, including citrus fruits, apricots, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, rose hips, and buckwheat. Another bioflavonoid, quercetin, has shown promise in treating varicose veins.
Vitamin E 300 to 800 IU in gradually increased dosages to improve circulation, reduce susceptibility to varicose veins, relieve pain, and, sometimes, correct varicosities. Topical applications of vitamin E squeezed from capsules often relieves localized irritation and speeds the healing of varicose ulcers. (Although the Daily Value for vitamin E is only 30 IU, 300 to 800 IU a day is safe for most people. If you suffer from moderate coagulation factor deficiency, however, don't take this much vitamin E. It can cause dangerous bleeding in people who have this condition.)
Lecithin One tablespoon of granules daily (or two capsules with each meal) to emulsify fats and aid circulation.
Tissue Salts Two tablets of 6XCalc.Fluor. each morning and evening to improve the elasticity of blood vessel walls.
Zinc 50 milligrams daily to assist with healing and collagen formation and to help maintain the proper concentration of vitamin E in the blood.
Preferred Foods: Whole foods diet with emphasis on the following foods: fresh fruits, including berries and cherries, and citrus fruit making sure to nibble on the inside of the rinds, whole grains especially buckwheat and millet, garlic, onions, ginger, and cayenne pepper. Eat plenty of fish and cut down on red meat as much as possible. Moderately restrict fats and refined carbohydrates in diet.
Foods to avoid: Sugar, salt, alcohol, fried foods, processed and refined foods, animal protein, cheeses, and ice cream.
Chiropractors combine diet and lifestyle therapy with physical manipulation of the skeletal system to control varicose veins. Manipulation to relieve strain on the pelvis, for example, is intended to improve the flow of blood and other fluids through the body.
Witch hazel - Application of a witch hazel ointment three or more times is necessary for two or more weeks before results can be expected. (Witch hazel may cause minor skin irritation in some people when applied topically; this herb is not recommended for internal use.)
Horse chestnut - Can be used both internally and as an external application for problems of venous circulation, including varicose veins. (Horse chestnut should be avoided by anyone with liver or kidney disease. Its internal use is also contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation. Topically, horse chestnut has been associated with rare cases of allergic skin reactions. Since circulation disorders and trauma associated with swelling may be the sign of a serious condition, a health care professional should be consulted before self-treating with horse chestnut.)
Bilberries - Support normal formation of connective tissue and strengthen capillaries in the body, and in this way help prevent varicose veins.
Butcher's broom - Tons veins while reducing inflammation. Can also be prepared as tea.
Gotu Kola - Strengthens blood vessels and improve peripheral circulation.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo Biloba) - Strengthens blood vessels and improve peripheral circulation.
Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) - Strengthens blood vessels and improve peripheral circulation.
To disperse buildup of a protein that makes skin near varicose veins hard and lumpy, try eating more cayenne (Capsicum frutescens), garlic (Allium sativum), onion, ginger (Zingiber officinale), and pineapple, which contains bromelain, an enzyme that promotes breakup of fibrin.
Hawthorn berries 3 parts Yarrow 2 parts Horsechestnut 3 parts Ginger 1 part Prickly ash bark 2 parts Use two teaspoonfuls of the mixture. Infuse for fifteen minutes. Drink three times daily.
External applications of Camomile, Comfrey, Oatstraw, White Oak Bark, or Witch Hazel are believed especially beneficial. Aloe Vera gel can be used to soothe itchy or irritated varicosities.
Hamamelis: Tincture or lotion may be applied locally at night. Hamamelis 3X every three hours when veins are affected. Pulsatilla: 3X is recommended every eight hours after child delivery.
Carbo vegetabilis: When constipated and with poor circulation. In cases of ulcers of varicose veins. Mercurius sol: if accompanied by infection, pus, and foul-smelling discharge. Lachesis: Blue color in area mainly on left side. Belladonna, 12x or 12c potency four times a day, is recommended for red, hot, swollen, and tender varicose veins. Ferrum metallicum if your legs look pale but redden easily and walking slowly relieves the weak, achy feeling. Arnica 30c Aconite napellus 6c
It is beneficial to alternate between hot and cold baths. This is believed to stimulate circulation in the legs. It is easy to do this. You need two buckets or plastic wastebaskets tall enough to submerge the legs up to the knees. Fill one container with enough comfortably hot water to cover the lower legs and the other container with the same amount of cold water. Add 2 tablespoons of epsom salts per quart of water or you can add an aromatherapy oil to the water. Soak your feet and legs in the hot water for about three minutes, then immerse them in the cold water for about 30 seconds. Repeat three times, finishing with the cold soak. Perform this treatment once a day for at least one month to see results. If you have diabetes, use warm (not hot) water.
Sponging or spraying legs with cold water can relieve aches and pain from superficial varicose veins.
Fresh fruit juices can be very helpful for those with varicose veins. Dark-colored berries such as cherries, blackberries and blueberries contain anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, pigments that tone and strengthen the walls of the veins. Pineapples are rich in the enzyme bromelain, which helps prevent blood clots, an uncommon but serious complication of varicose veins.
Juicing provides these nutrients in much higher concentrations than you can get by just eating the fruits. Drink eight ounces of fresh berry or pineapple juice, alone or diluted with another fruit juice, once or twice a day for maximum benefit.
One or two glasses daily of fresh fruit or vegetable juices- especially any combination of apple, beet, carrot, celery, citrus, parsley, or pineapple-and dietary supplements may be helpful in preventing and treating varicosities.
Maintaining your overall fitness, both nutritionally and physically, is most essential to preventing varicose veins from developing. Any program of regular exercise stimulates circulation, improves muscle tone, and helps prevent varicosities. However, high-impact aerobics, jogging, strenuous cycling, or any intense activity may increase blood pressure in the legs and accentuate varicose veins. Walking and swimming are considered excellent therapy, as are gentle leg-muscle stretches and utilizing a rocking chair while watching television.
Lying flat on the floor and resting the legs on a chair seat or straight up against a wall for 2 minutes drains blood from swollen veins. Elevating the feet higher than the hips with a recliner or ottoman, and raising the foot of the bed a few inches, helps blood flow back to the heart from the legs.
Start your morning with a brisk walk or finish your day with a swim or bike ride.
You can help control varicose veins with a program of specially designed exercises, under the direction of a trained exercise therapist who is knowledgeable about the condition's particular needs.
Regular massage can significantly alleviate discomfort associated with varicose veins. A trained massage therapist starts at the feet and massages your legs up to the hips and along the lymphatic system, to mobilize congested body tissues.
If you do the massage yourself, remember to never massage directly on varicose veins. A general leg massage can help reduce swelling in the veins. Sit up comfortably on a sofa or bed, with your legs raised slightly on a pillow. Now work up the entire leg from the ankle to the upper thigh. (Remember not to touch the varicose veins.) Do this daily for about five minutes on each leg.
Working your hands or feet may help with varicose veins. Massage the whole feet or hands and press the following points three times per day for five minutes each point after massaging the whole feet: 18, 19, 24, 25, 21, 22, 34, 26. (adrenal and parathyroid gland, digestive system (especially the liver), spine, heart and sciatic nerve.)