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A natural way to prevent and treat varicose veins to reduce their bluish-purple, enlarged appearance and improve your body’s overall circulatory health.
My grandmother suffered severely from varicose veins for most of her adult life.
The problems started during her second pregnancy. After her traumatic caesarean section, she was hospitalized for several weeks with phlebitis and subsequent infection with inflammation of the veins in her legs.
The problem was never completely resolved, and intermittent infections from these very swollen and congested veins required a fairly sedentary existence and permanent leg wrapping. , the situation left her completely chair-bound in her later years.
My mother also has varicose veins, but luckily it’s the only one that rarely causes discomfort and doesn’t affect her mobility.
The problem arose during her sixth child’s pregnancy and was, in her view, completely preventable. In order not to make the same mistake, I will explain in detail below.
What Causes Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins tend to occur as a result of an approximately 50% increase in blood volume and significant weight gain due to pregnancy, but men can suffer as well.
This may be the reason why there is a correlation between tall women and varicose veins. The taller you are, the more distance your veins have to transport blood to defy gravity and return it to your heart.
Varicose veins tend to occur primarily in the lower extremities, but they can occur anywhere venous blood flow is blocked, leading to congested and swollen veins.
Most people don’t realize that hemorrhoids are actually varicose veins!
There also appears to be a genetic component to varicose veins with 30 genes present in people with the condition.
Therefore, people whose mothers, aunts, or grandmothers suffer from this condition tend to be at higher risk. (1)
Varicose Veins and Spider Varicose Veins
The following preventive strategies may also help with this related condition, but varicose veins should not be confused with spider veins.
A characteristic symptom of varicose veins is venous congestion, which sometimes has a 3D appearance. The color is bluish purple.
Spider webs are usually red, small, thin, and appear as spider webs without protruding through the skin.
Both conditions commonly develop in the legs as a result of pregnancy, aging, and obesity. Spider webs may also appear on the face.
Prevention strategy
Most women are unaware that there are certain things they can do to prevent varicose veins, even if they are genetically predisposed to developing varicose veins in their family.
diet
Eating plenty of saturated fats, especially butter and coconut oil, is important to maintain proper osmotic pressure in the veins to avoid pooling and enlargement, according to Tom Cowan MD.
Accelerating the digestion of fat is also important for creating enough new water inside the cells as the main force to “push” the blood in the veins.
To this end, Dr. Cowan emphasizes that the diet should include lacto-fermented vegetables, especially sauerkraut, and properly prepared bone broth. (2)
tight fitting clothes
Clothing that restricts blood flow to the legs and feet should be strictly avoided during pregnancy.
In particular, girdles and similar, more modern “suck everything” underwear such as Spanx should be off limits.
Wearing a girdle during pregnancy (which was fashionable at the time) is a way for mothers to claim that they have varicose veins (after several previous pregnancies without a girdle and without problems).
For safety, it’s also a good idea to avoid pantyhose and leggings.
high heels
In addition to tight clothing, high-heeled shoes can also cause varicose veins.
While wearing them (especially when standing for long periods of time), the calf muscles contract, reducing blood flow to the entire foot.
After a while, the veins in the legs start to fill with blood and can dilate. (3)
We recommend using flats during pregnancy, especially if you have varicose veins in your family.
Also, if you already have varicose veins, limit your use of high heels or stop wearing them altogether.
herbs
One of my favorite books for future mothers is Wise Women’s Herbs for Childbirth Years.
The section on nettles especially caught my attention in 1998, when I was pregnant with my first child and was eager to learn how to prevent varicose veins.
The author suggested nettle infusions as a way to help maintain blood vessel elasticity during pregnancy, among other benefits. did. (Four)
Therefore, I drank 1-2 tablespoons of nettle infusion daily during my entire pregnancy. I believe this habit is one of the main reasons I avoid my strong genetic predisposition to varicose veins.
Natural Remedies for Existing Varicose Veins
Prevention is a much easier task than treating existing varicose veins.
However, the following nature-oriented strategies can reduce cosmetic problems and discomfort if you are already suffering from this condition.
Herbs rich in tannins
According to Dr. Cowan, the best-studied herb for varicose veins is horse chestnut.
This herb contains a compound called esculin, a specific nutrient that strengthens blood vessel walls.
He suggests:
…The tannins in horse chestnut “tan” the blood vessels. Similar to tanning leather, it constricts blood vessels and strengthens walls. (Five)
of Mediherb Vascular Care Complex (previously called the Horse Chestnut Complex) is his suggested source.
A mixture of horse chestnuts and other tannin-rich herbs. He suggests continuing the recommended dose for at least one year for significant symptoms.
Foods Rich in Rutin
A vitamin C cofactor known as rutin also provides vascular support for treating varicose veins naturally.
Rutin-rich foods include buckwheat leaves (the best sources), apples with skin on, figs, red rooibos tea, elderflower tea, and amaranth leaves.(6)
If you prefer the supplement route, Dr. Cowan recommends ProductCyruta PlusContains buckwheat leaves, take 2 tablets 3 times daily. (7)
exercise
Varicose veins can sometimes contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, as was the case with my grandmother.
Exercise is, ironically, the best remedy for reducing age-related problems and worsening symptoms.
For best results, you should do any type of exercise that strengthens your legs and gets the blood moving that activates your muscles as often as possible (preferably daily). (8)
Good choices are yoga, walking, rebounding, or leg toning exercises.
Intervention in flare-ups
If redness or infection recurs in your varicose veins despite your best efforts, Dr. Cowan suggests this natural intervention in which medication should be avoided in many situations. (9)
- Raise your legs as high as possible during the day.
- Apply a warm compress with a solution of Epsom salts every 1-2 hours a day
- Take 2 Echinacea tablets 3 times daily.
If you have an intolerance to echinacea, I recommend the concentrated allicin capsules as they are very effective. It’s something I’ve relied on for years.
Things you should never do with varicose veins
Exercise is great for improving blood flow in your legs to reduce the appearance of varicose veins and prevent them from getting worse, but it is important not to artificially irritate the area with a fascia blaster.
These popular devices are marketed as an easy way to improve circulation, but in areas where varicose veins or spider veins appear, their use can exacerbate the severity of the situation.
(1) Are varicose veins hereditary?
(2) Why High Heels Cause Varicose Veins
(3, 5, 7-9) Ask a Doctor: Varicose Veins
(Four) Cheer up and enjoy with nettle
(6) Foods containing rutin
