http://www.care2.com/greenliving/natural-help-for-varicose-veins.html
Natural Help for Varicose Veins
These twisted, enlarged blood vessels most commonly appear on the legs and feet. When valves malfunction, blood pools when valves malfunction, and veins lose the elasticity needed to propel blood back to the heart.
Prevention
Flavonoids from dark-colored berries, like blueberries or blackberries, can help maintain vein elasticity, preventing varicose veins. Avoid tight clothing, leg crossing, and long periods of sitting; exercise regularly; and put your feet up.
Treatment
Compression stockings, designed to help propel blood back to the heart, are a traditional over-the-counter treatment. But you can also take horse chestnut seed extract orally to improve vein elasticity and tone, or apply astringent witch hazel topically to improve the condition, says Patricia Gaines, a naturopathic physician in Tempe, Arizona, and the chair of botanical medicine at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. Most varicose veins are only a cosmetic worry, but if they give you considerable pain or discomfort, see a doctor. Some can form blood clots, sores, or ulcers and may require more rigorous treatment or surgical removal.
Delicious Living is the go-to resource for the natural and organic lifestyle, helping readers eat well, live green, and stay healthy. Visit deliciouslivingmag.com for more articles and free recipes.
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11 comments
add your comment »I have found vein supplements make an effective therapy for those ugly, bulging veins. Herbs like horse chestnuts, butcher’s broom, gotu kola, hersperidin, Vitamin C help to tone the elasticity of veins, stimulate the production of collagen and elastin and support good flow. There aren’t many conventional medications around and what is available is mostly surgical treatment or injections which kill the vein. In contrast, herbal supplements provide a good proactive measure against unsightly veins. I started taking this when I noticed a few scraggly veins creep up on my ankles. I then felt a lump on my heel which hurt when I walked. The supplements were of great help. My job requires me to sit for long periods of time. It’s good to take a walk every two hours to circulate a proper blood flow in the legs.
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My grandma has had varicose veins for many years. Her doctor said the only treatment is surgery but because of her age, it wasn't recommended. Last year, my sister bought her a homeopathic lotion called "Vein-Gard" which has horse chestnut as one of the active ingredients. After a few weeks, my grandma said her legs are hurting a lot less and she wondered why her doctor, being a professional and all, didn't recommend this to her. Now, I am thinking of buying the oral version of Vein-Gard for her too.
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Good Article but a little skeptical about the prevention. My Aunty suffered for 20 years atlast she got operated and the bad vein was cut off. Now she is recovering.
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Inversions also help. Try doing a head-stand or shoulder stand for just a few minutes each day. Among many of it's other benefits, letting the blood run in the other direction for a litle also is known to help with vericose vain prevention.
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This article tells "squat" ... "zilch". I hope the author doesn't get paid for this.
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In my family there is a history of varicose vein problems on both sides of the family. I had surgery (veins stripped) on both legs 14 years ago and the results were very good. Recently my left ankle was swelling and a problem vein was diagnosed. I opted for a new laser treatment which was done under local anesthetic. Basically a laser is inserted into the vein in the lower leg and then switched on to burn or obliterate the vein. Gulp! I'm two weeks post op and things seem to be settling down OK. It is still early days but so far so good. Except for having to wear a stocking!!
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Thanks! My leg veins started in when I was 30 and I have been very disappointed with how little is known or done. I'll eat those extra dark berries with great pleasure.
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Though I believe in herbs, and natural approaches for many conditions, sometimes people need other options. For those who have painful, or dramatic unsightly varicose veins & can have it covered by insurance, there are now relatively non-invasive vein stripping procedures, which work quite well. Apparently some people will experience some return of the problem, within 5 years, but at least there is hope.
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I am naturally a skeptic. This sounds FAR too simplistic to me.
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I will be sharing this with my family. I am 34 and my right leg is already very bad with these. It may be because I have had a "desk job" for 15 years which requires sitting most of the day. I think I might try the horse chestnut seed extract and see if it helps. Thank you
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