Most women have either experienced or are at least familiar with varicose veins. These veins are enlarged and can sometimes be quite painful. The term “varicose” is a Latin based word meaning “twisted”. You may think that women are the only ones who deal with varicose veins, but that’s not the case. In the United States, 25% of women experience varicose veins, while 15% of men are affected by them. Because the veins in the legs have to work against gravity, varicose veins are most prevalent in the lower limbs. Varicose veins can appear in other areas, such as the arms. These unsightly veins are a cosmetic concern, because they’re enlarged, twisted, and are a bluish purple color. Not only are they a deterrent in one’s appearance, they also cause swelling, pain, aching, or a heaviness in the legs. They can also be a warning sign of circulatory disorders or heart disease. If varicose veins aren’t treated, they can lead to blood clots, skin ulcers, and inflammation of the veins. Luckily there are some natural remedies for varicose veins.
Diet and Supplements
Probably the safest natural way to treat varicose veins is through diet and supplements. If your diet is low in fiber, if can lead to pressure build up which can aggravate varicose veins. Getting enough fiber will help to eliminate stool and will prevent any straining action that can occur otherwise. Fiber helps to move things along smoothly. If you suffer from varicose veins, there are some foods that should be avoided. Foods such as salt, sugar, alcohol, animal protein, processed or refined foods, fried foods, ice cream, and cheeses can all have an effect on varicose veins. Eat them in moderation or try to cut them entirely out of your diet.
Extracts such as horse chestnut extract, grape seed extract and pine bark extract can treat varicose veins. The horse chestnut herb is the most widely used herb for this purpose. A compound called aescin that is found in this herb seems to inhibit the release of enzymes that cause damage to the walls of capillaries. Results of studies show that those participants that used horse chestnut extract lead to a significant decrease of leg pain as well as swelling compared to those that were given a placebo. Caution needs to be heeded when taking horse chestnut. Manufactured horse chestnut products are safe, such as those in extract form, because the toxic substance esculin has been removed. The FDA has deemed whole horse chestnut unsafe and if a person uses it, they can experience headache, nausea, vomiting, convulsion, diarrhea, respiratory and circulatory failure, or even death. So make sure that the component esculin has been removed.
Both pine bark extract and grape seed extract contain anti-oxidants called oligomeric proanthocynidin complexes (OPCs). These types of anti-oxidants strengthen the connective tissue structure that make up blood vessels. They also help to reduce inflammation. OPCs have been studied, and results show that these anti-oxidants bring relief to people who have varicose veins. There’s some caution that needs to taken when using pine bark or grape seed extract. If you suffer from any autoimmune disorder, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or Crohn’s disease, you should avoid using both pine bark extract and grape seed extract. Only do so if you get the “OK” from your doctor.
The plant Butcher’s broom, which is part of the lily family, is believed to be able to strengthen collagen in the walls of blood vessels. This is due to the component ruscogenin. This component is believed to be able to tighten those vessels that are weak and stretched causing the varicose veins. Again, take caution when using this plant. If you take high blood pressure medication or medication for benign prostate hyperplasia, or an MAO inhibitor, talk with your doctor first.
It’s best to talk with your doctor before trying any of these natural remedies for varicose veins.
---- Advertisment ----
