Natural Remedies for Varicose Veins: Effective and Holistic Approaches

Hormone Balance for Varicose and Spider Veins:

Elevated estrogen levels are believed to contribute to varicose veins. Detoxing estrogen and balancing hormones may help.

This long article discusses the role of zinc in hormone balance:

http://goddessignited.com/copper-estrogen-zinc-hormone-imbalance/

Vitex is also believed to balance hormones. The following is from http://main.poliquingroup.com/Tips/tabid/130/EntryId/2321/Top-Ten-Foods-To-Detox-Estrogen.aspx

To help detox estrogen: Sesame seeds, fenugreek seeds, flax seeds, omega 3s, high fiber fruits and vegetables, cruciferous vegetables, citrus fruits, protien - especially lysine and threonine, magnesium sulfate

Aromatase blockers prevent testosterone from being converted to estrogen: melatonin, cherries, green tea

Weight loss and probiotics are also suggested.

Two herbs, Horse Chestnut and Butchers Broom, have been very helpful to me -- they have taken away the sore, aching, tired feeling from my legs. I don't know if the *appearance* of my leg veins has improved or not. They seem less noticeable now, but I've gained a little weight on my legs, so there may be more fat hiding some veins now.

These 2 specific herbs have made such a difference to my quality of life.

Background: I started getting varicose veins, and the aching that goes with them, when I was 16! Sixteen years old with varicose veins! And no, I wasn't pregnant, or obese.

The varicose veins just got worse over the decades.
The aching, TIRED feeling bothered me more than how they looked. I usually wore jeans, slacks, or a long skirt to hide them. And I hate support hosiery. It's so uncomfortable, especially in summer.

A few years ago, I was reading some traditional, conservative woman's magazine, maybe it was Woman's Day or Ladies' Home Journal, but I can't remember. There was an article about several herbal remedies that actually have some scientific evidence for being effective. It said that the herbs Horse Chestnut and Butchers Broom were helpful for varicose veins.

I tried the herbs.

The local natural foods stores sell several brands of capsules with the herbs in them. Affordable.

A couple year's ago, a doctor warned me not to take those herbs for a few days before a planned surgery, and for a couple weeks afterwards. Doctors wisely are cautious about any herb or drug before surgery, that may or may not affect circulation or blood or the speed of bleeding and/or coagulation. Other than that, my physician does not object to the herbs.

The usual common sense caveat: Of course you should talk to your doctor about any herbal remedies that you are thinking of trying. Because (1) I'm not a physician, and (2) each person's body and health are different, and (3) natural herbs can still have side effects and/or interactions with other drugs/herbs.

The Horse Chestnut and Butchers Broom herbs have worked like a miracle for me, so I'm surprised that they are not well known.

I have suffered unsightly varicose veins on my lower legs since pregnancy, but they've never given me pain. Then I suddenly found myself unable to walk one morning and one of the pronounced veins was extra swollen, bruised and extremely sore to touch.

As an acute case, I took 9 capsules of Horse Chestnut that day, spaced out 3 with each mealtime. I attempted massage with castor oil but it was too painful, I ended up just applying and wrapping the oil into my leg loosely and limped off to work that night. But the following day while still painful to touch I was able to walk normally and by day three the vein was back to normal varicose state and I reduced the dose to 6 a day until all tenderness and bruising resolved.

We would like to share our remarkable experience with Horse Chestnut. My 80-year-old husband has had varicose veins in both legs for 40 years, having previously worked at a job which required standing for most of the day. Normally the varicosities weren't painful. But recently he had an exacerbation of varicosities in one leg. The veins were visibly red and bulging, and he complained that they were painful. He was already on long-term vitamin E therapy, which didn't seem to help the condition of his veins.

We purchased him an elastic compression stocking costing about 7 Euros, the type which starts just below the knee and extends to just above the ankle. He wore the stocking throughout the day and removed it at night to sleep. In addition, he took one 300-mg capsule of Horse Chestnut in the morning and one in the evening. As the bottle of Horse Chestnut contained 100 tablets, we continued this therapy for 50 days until the bottle was empty, and then discontinued the Horse Chestnut.

Now, 55 days later, my husband's legs look normal again and his veins are pain-free. He had had bulging, unsightly veins in his legs for so many years, we had assumed they would never shrink. We were wrong. Horse chestnut and an elastic stocking did the trick for my husband.

I don't recommend the inclined bed therapy, having used it myself. It made my varicose veins and leg swelling worse! After hearing about inclined bed therapy, I bought a mattress, mainly to help reduce congestion in my nose at night, and to reduce acid reflex. I also had some varicose veins. Unfortunately, I have had to remove the special mattress, because within six months, the varicose veins got much worse, and swelling in my legs, ankles and feet increased! There was also a lot of uncomfortable itching in my legs in the varicose and swollen areas. I researched for natural cures for varicose veins, and ALL of the sites say to raise the legs 6 inches higher than the heart whenever possible, especially at night when sleeping. Google for the full explanations for why this is necessary, there are many good websites. The human vascular system, with it's arteries and veins and valves, is NOT designed like a tree! My acid reflux didn't improve either. The congestion in my nose did decrease, so for sleeping, I raise my head a bit on a pillow that molds around my head and neck (down or whatever works), and put pillows under my legs to gently raise them.

Linseed oil (refrigerated), Tyrosine and Echinacea cures wrinkles, arthritis, varicose vein pain, Parkinsons Disease, fibromyalgia. 5 tablespoons Linseed oil and 2 echinacea tablets 3 times a day. Don't take calcium, evening primrose and glucosamine if you have any of the above conditions. Just try to eat less meat and plenty of fruit and vegetables. Fresh vege juice is very good also try 1 clove of fresh garlic a day. Tyrosine stops the shakes of Parkinson's very quickly. You will feel so much better.

Ted indicated use of Magnesium Supplement in Vericose Vein Remedies. It was mentioned that use of Magnesium supplement 500 mg helps relax heart muscles and enables normal circulation. I wish to know whether this will also help to restore Vericose vein to normal state. I will be happy to know experience of any Earth Clinic Members on this.

We haven't done it long enough, but Edgar Cayce recommends doing steps over the legs of warmed fresh mullein herb leaves. It grows wild all over. Suggest also doing exercise, lots of fermented foods, water, and fresh fruits and vegetables to stave off constipation and keep the waste moving out. Make sure the spine is doing well with chiropractic.

I'm not sure exactly what's working but the varicose veins are looking more like spider veins now. I started making wheatgrass/quackgrass juice a few times a week. Also take chlorophyll, MSM-Glucosamine-Chrondroiten combo, fish-flax-borage oil, evening primrose oil, fresh lemon juice, plain oatmeal, raw coconut oil, dandelion root tea, plain yogurt, no gluten, no coffee, no chocolate. I quit taking the horse-chestnut a few days ago, the veins improved since then, took it again today for heavy feeling in the legs. I suspect it's the juice and the oils that are shrinking the veins. Scrambled eggs with cheese, onion, basil and garlic seems good for the legs, too. Maybe there is liver congestion or kidney congestion causing vein problems.

I use Nattokinase due to hyperviscosity, I have severe varicose veins, and hemorrhoids and cannot take blood thinners.

After multiple thromboses, 2 heart attacks, and a stroke, I found out about it on a coronary care website.

5 weeks ago, I began with 4000 FU per day increasing to 4x 4000 FU per day for 3 weeks. Will shortly drop back to 4000 FU per day. I use alongside K2 every second day. My issues have settled, my varicose veins are noticeably less, not hard and painful anymore. ( I have had this chronic complaint for approximately 35 years.)

To say that I am impressed by the results is an understatement.

My heartbeat is still often irregular however I am seeing better results and quicker recovery times.

An 80 year old healthy male resolved his varicose veins by using nattokinase supplement. Follow directions on the container. I would also recommend citrus bioflavinoids taken as directed on the container. Both are available in capsule form at health stores.

My first pregnancy is when I first noticed visible veins in my legs. During my second pregnancy I drank a combination of nettle and raspberry leaf tea and I actually ended up with better leg veins than I started with. I would definitely recommend nettle leaf tea for anyone who is pregnant or has varicose veins.

Varicose veins unfortunately run through our family. My grandmother suffered from them, as does my mum and when I was in my early 30's, I was diagnosed with it as well. I have had Phlebitis and my right leg has been operated on. My veins aren't visible on the outside; my legs look smooth, but upon touch it feels as if there are cables inside my calves.

Most annoying is the feeling of 'heavy legs'. On warm days, my ankles swell up despite the support hoses I wear every day.

But am seeing great results using essential oil of Cypress with Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) as carrier.

I make a small amount of salve which I apply twice a day, or more often when it's warm weather or when I expect to do a lot of standing and walking. The reason I make a small amount is I like it to be fresh.

The recipe is simple, two tablespoons of VCO; 15 drops of Oil of Cypress. Personally, I started with 7 drops to test for allergic reactions, none came, and the dosage of Cypress could be increased. Store in a glass jar, essential oils eat away at plastic. Keep in a cool place.

Apply twice a day on feet and calves, even thighs if you want or need. Massage gently and only stroke upwards. Works great to reduce fluid retention around the ankles, and my legs don't feel as "heavy".

Hope this helps!

I have been oil pulling for about 5 weeks now. First thing I noticed was my sweet tooth completely gone, needless to say with that came weight loss. Also it is true that your ailments first worsen before getting better. My biggest thing was leg pain from my varicose veins. When I first started OP it hurt for about a week since then I haven't had any pain. Thank you for all your great help.

On 1/3/07 I gave feedback on OP & promised an update: Mom changed her daily routine only by adding OP... varicose veins (legs) are noticeably smaller; Aunty Y. is relieved... the intensifying pain in her heel has lessened (no more limping); Navindra, my friend, has been getting rid of mucus effortlessly and gives credit to OP. Others have no definite result to contribute (not yet). In addition to OP, I've been using other remedies from this site, eg. molasses, ACV, etc. I'm incorporating these methods and generally feel healthier. Blessings to all. Sweet