20 Natural Remedies To Remove Varicose Veins In Your Legs

20 Natural Remedies To Remove Varicose Veins In Your Legs 

Although we tend to think of them as a woman’s problem, both men and women develop varicose veins — those bulgy veins that appear lumpy and dark in color

Varicose veins are a common problem in which abnormally enlarged veins appear close to the skin’s surface. They usually occur in the calves and thighs when the veins develop weakened walls or poorly functioning valves, which regulate blood flow.

Since legs are the farthest extremity from the heart, it requires extra effort to pump the blood up the veins in the leg and back into the heart against gravity. This is done by the calf muscles. There are paired valves in these veins to prevent back flow of the blood, but as the veins lose their elasticity and become dilated, these valves fail. This results in blood getting pooled in the veins, causing them to twist and bulge out.

Uncomplicated varicose veins are usually treated by either surgically removing them or destroying them with lasers or injection of chemicals. But these harsh treatments can be avoided by using some of these effective home remedies. The main focus of these remedies is to strengthen the walls of the blood vessels and improve blood circulation.

Remedies  To Treat Varicose Veins

Garlic

Garlic is an excellent herb for reducing inflammation and the symptoms of varicose veins. It also helps break up harmful toxins in the blood vessels and improve circulation.

1.    Slice up six garlic cloves and put them in a clean glass jar.

2.    Extract the juice from three oranges and add it to the jar. Also add two tablespoons of olive oil.

3.    Let the mixture sit for about 12 hours.

4.    Shake the jar and then put a few drops of the solution on your fingers. Massage the inflamed veins with the solution in a circular motion for 15 minutes.

5.    Wrap the area with a cotton cloth and leave it on overnight.

6.    Repeat daily for several months.

Also, include fresh garlic in your diet.

Mud Packs

Applying a mudpack to varicose affected legs may help reduce vein enlargement. Significant reduction in pain is often reported after mud pack treatment. Fine clay such as Fuller’s earth is best for mudpacks. Mix the clay with water and apply to your legs before going to bed. In the morning, wash the clay with warm water and pat the area dry.

As the clay dries, it contracts, resulting in a tightening effect. It works in a similar fashion to compression stockings by constricting the dilated blood vessels and promoting blood flow. Clay has a detoxifying effect too. It draws out impurities from the skin and the blood vessels.

Note: Although fine clay is considered sterile, it is not recommended if varicose veins are complicated by ulcers.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a very effective herb for strengthening blood vessels and hence can reduce symptoms of varicose veins. Apart from being an astringent, it also contains garlic acid and several essential oils that can help reduce the swelling as well as the pain.

• Soak a washcloth in witch hazel and place it on the affected area. Do this two or three times a day for one or two months.
• Alternatively, fill a tub with lukewarm water and add 10 to 20 drops of distilled witch hazel. Soak your legs in the solution for at least 15 minutes. Then wash your legs with clean water and pat them dry. Follow this remedy once daily for one or two months.

Butcher’s Broom

Butcher’s broom is very helpful for relieving the aches and discomfort of varicose veins. This herb contains compounds known as ruscogenins that help reduce inflammation while constricting the veins due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-elastase activity.

Take 100 mg of butcher’s broom supplements three times a day. Created from the roots and seeds of the plant, butcher’s broom supplements have vitamins B and C along with calcium, chromium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, silicon and zinc.

These nutrients will help tighten, strengthen and decrease inflammation in the veins as well as improve blood flow up the legs.

Note: People with high blood pressure or benign prostate hyperplasia should not take this herb without consulting a doctor.

High-fiber Foods

Fiber helps improve heart health and is also necessary for healthy digestive functions. Eating 30–40 grams of fiber every day is a great way to prevent constipation, which can cause bloating and increased pressure on the veins around the abdomen and legs. 

High-fiber foods to eat include chia seeds and flax seeds, (which are also omega-3 foods, which are anti-inflammatory), vegetables, fresh fruit, and soaked/sprouted legumes and ancient grains.

Magnesium-rich Foods 

Blood pooling, blood pressure problems and leg cramps are warning signs of deficiencies in electrolytes like potassium and magnesium. 

To overcome these symptoms, increase intake of things like leafy greens, avocado, bananas, cruciferous veggies and sweet potatoes.

Parsley

Here's another reason to stock up on some fresh parsley. Not only is it high in vitamin C, which helps in repairing damaged cells, it is rich in rutin, which can strengthen the weakened capillary walls that cause varicose veins. Eat as much as you can, but you can also apply it topically as a salve. 

Wild-caught fish — Fish and seafood like wild salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines and tuna provide omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for proper blood flow.

Horse Chestnut Seeds

The seeds of horse chestnut have been used for ages to treat varicose veins. Horse chestnut seeds have anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling properties that can successfully increase ‘venous tone’ and in turn reduce the appearance of varicose veins.

Horse chestnut seed extract has a compound called aescin that improves the elastic strength of veins and prevents the release of enzymes that damage capillary walls.

A review of clinical studies by the Cochrane Collaboration found that horse chestnut extract is an effective short-term treatment for symptoms of varicose veins.

• You can purchase horse chestnut seed gel available in the market. Use the gel externally on the affected area twice daily. When used regularly, it can significantly reduce leg pain and swelling.
• You can also take horse chestnut supplements. The most common dosage is 300 mg twice daily. Do not take raw horse chestnut as it contains large amounts of a toxic compound known as esculin.

Note: Pregnant or nursing women should not use this remedy.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a wonderful treatment for varicose veins. It is a natural body cleansing product and it also improves blood flow and circulation. When the blood starts flowing naturally, the heaviness and swelling of varicose veins will decrease to a great extent.

• Apply undiluted apple cider vinegar on the skin over the varicose veins and gently massage the area. Do it every day before going to bed and again in the morning. 
• Follow this remedy for a few months to reduce the size of varicose veins.
• Add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and stir well. Drink the mixture twice a day for at least one month to see positive results.
 

 

Marigold

The beautiful marigold flower is a rich source of flavonoids and vitamin C that stimulate the production of collagen and aid in cell repair and reproduction. It also helps improve circulation, thus helping alleviate various symptoms of varicose veins.

1.    Boil one cup of marigold flowers in four cups of water for five minutes.

2.    Soak a cotton cloth in the solution and place the cloth on the affected area. Leave it on until it completely cools.

3.    Repeat several times a day for a few months until you notice improvement.

You can also eat fresh marigold petals.

Olive Oil

 Increasing blood circulation is essential to treating varicose veins. Massaging with olive oil can help increase circulation, thereby reducing pain and inflammation.

• Mix equal amounts of olive oil and vitamin E oil and warm it slightly. Massage the veins with the warm oil for several minutes. Do this twice daily for one to two months.
• You can also mix four drops of cypress essential oil in two teaspoons of warm olive oil and massage with this mixture.

Grapevine Leaves

Grapevine leaves have a good amount of flavonoids, which help keep veins healthy. The leaves also have astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and homeostatic properties that are very helpful for treating varicose veins.

·       Boil one cup of grapevine leaves in four cups of water for 10 to 15 minutes.

·       Allow it to steep for several minutes until it is lukewarm.

·       Pour it into a bucket and soak your feet in the solution for five minutes.

·       Then put your feet in another bucket filled with cold water for 10 seconds.

·       Do this three or four times at a stretch, ending with the cold water soak.

·       Afterward, massage your legs in an upward direction with castor oil.

Note: put your legs in an elevated position for a few minutes.

Things you can do to treat or to avoid Varicose Veins

Exercise

Regularly getting exercise is one of the best things you can do to improve blood flow and lower inflammation, which you can add to the extensive list of exercise benefits. The National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute states that sitting (especially with poor posture — like forward head posture — or your legs crossed) or standing for long period of time without moving around much is associated with an increased risk for varicose veins and other forms of blood pooling.

When you stay stagnant for too long, it’s harder for your veins to pump blood efficiently back to your heart and fight the effects of gravity. Exercise is also a great way to help balance hormones naturally, lose weight or maintain a healthy body weight, and lower blood pressure, which can all contribute to varicose veins.

The Carolina Vascular Institute recommends preventing varicose veins by performing leg lifts, calf raises, bicycle legs and side lunges to strengthen and stretch the veins around the legs. Low-impact exercises, such as walking, swimming and bicycling, are also ideal for varicose vein sufferers since they alleviate pressure.


Maintaining a Healthy Weight

People who are overweight are more likely to develop varicose veins, especially overweight women and elderly people. Carrying excess body weight puts higher amounts of pressure on your veins and can contribute to inflammation or reflux, especially in the largest superficial veins, such as the saphenous vein in the legs.

According to a report published by the Huffington Post about the connection between obesity and varicose veins, for overweight people varicose veins are often more difficult to assess and treat because they commonly go unnoticed until they progress to be more inflamed and larger in size (up to four or five centimeters long , deep inside the leg). 

Uncross Your Legs

Don't sit with your legs crossed for a long time because it can cut off circulation causing you to get spider veins.

 Use An Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Certain foods help reverse inflammation and improve blood flow, making it possible to heal varicose veins faster and prevent future ones from forming. 

A poor diet — high in things like trans fats, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and processed foods — can contribute to arterial damage, low circulation, blood pressure problems, hormonal imbalances and weight gain. Many of these foods are also high-sodium foods, which is dehydrating, and contain toxins that can worsen swelling in varicose veins.

Some of the best anti-inflammatory foods for reducing the appearance of varicose veins include.

  Use Compression Stockings

Applying uniform pressure on the legs with specially designed compression stockings is a tried and tested remedy for varicose veins. Loss of elasticity of the blood vessels and their consequent enlargement reduces the efficiency of the venous valves trying to stem the backflow of blood. The gentle, yet consistent pressure compresses the veins, reducing their diameter. 

This helps the valves to work more effectively to prevent the backflow. The additional support for the venous walls facilitates the smooth flow of blood, reducing the risk of stagnation and blood clot formation.

When used at the initial stages of varicose veins, compression stockings can stop the progress of the condition, or even reverse it. 

Several types of compression garments available, but you should always seek medical advice to find out what type is best suited to your condition.

 Eat High-antioxidant Foods 

 Antioxidants, such as flavonoids (present in berries), vitamin C and vitamin E (both present in green veggies and citrus fruits), help strengthen veins, fight inflammation and improve arterial health.

 Vitamin E is known to help prevent blood clots, acts like a natural blood thinner and is tied to heart health. Vitamin C is a powerful anti-inflammatory and beneficial for skin health

Take A Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex

Citrus Bioflavonoids have hesperidin, rutin, and diosmin will help reduce spider veins by strengthening the walls of veins and you can also get Citrus bioflavonoids from oranges and grapefruits.

NOTE : The picture is just an example . There are many others

Gentle massage

Blood pooling in the veins is one major problem that exacerbates varicose veins. It causes the lax walls of the veins to expand and get twisted, impeding the blood flow further. Formation of blood clots is another risk. It always helps to keep the legs at a slightly elevated position while sitting and lying down to allow the venous blood to flow towards the heart. But massage is a more active way to increase blood circulation, although it should be administered very gently in people with varicose veins.

Massaging the legs with gentle upward strokes can smoothen out the twisted veins and accelerate the blood flow. Never use pressure directly on the bulging veins. Use olive oil or coconut oil for lubrication. You can add a few drops of the essential oils of peppermint or wintergreen for a soothing effect.

So, There You Re With All Things You Can Do, Foods To Eat And Remedies To Use. Go Ahead And Try Them.