Natural Remedies for Varicose Veins: Effective and Holistic Approaches

WARNING!

Ladies, remember: do your research before taking rutin during pregnancy. Definitely not during the first 4 months!

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

Not sure what kind of Apple Cider Vinegar they are using but I use B----g Organic raw-unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar and N------a Organic Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil-(cold-pressed, unrefined) and I have had great results.

The Braggs is a very good apple cider vinegar. Raw, with the mother in it. Available from health food stores.

A good, tasty source of rutin is buckwheat, whether flour or the grain.

Hi, I have been using ACV since last November. Since then, I have gone from a size 6 to a size 2/4. Weight loss was not my original intention though...this past winter my family was constantly sick. I was home with my son with a severe sinus infection and was researching natural cures before I went to the Dr. to get antibiotics. That's when I came across this website. I started taking the ACV in large doses, actually slamming "shots" of them, and within 2 days my sinus infection was gone. That was as convincing as it could get for me that ACV really works. However, I'm 29 years old and have begun to get some varicose veins and spider veins, especially on my right leg. Taking ACV orally, has only minimally (if at all) helped this. Am I supposed to be rubbing the ACV on my leg? If so, can you explain why this would be effective in curing varicose veins? Thank you.

It's not a great idea to take neat (undiluted) ACV as it is a strong alkaline liquid and can burn the throat blessings x

I have been hearing lately dabbing witch hazel on the veins will help. I have tried this and I have noticed some spider veins getting much lighter as well, hopefully this will help someone else.

Hi, you mentioned red vine leaf extract. Where do you get it?

Hi what brand did you use and when did you take those 3 capsules? First thing in the morning on empty stomach before meals or with meals?

In how many weeks/months did the varicose veins disappear?

Thank you

Hi Thanks for your tip. Would you describe the direction you massaged the varicose veins and how long it took to heal them? Can you still see them? Are they totally gone?

thanks

Hi, I've tried taking gelatin and finds that it gives me awful headaches. How do you take the gelatin? Do you simply dissolve in water? Thanks

I was suffering from severe varicose vein pain yesterday when I read this post about magnesium. I took 500 mg of Magnesium (elemental) (from 2000 mg magnesium glycerinate/lysinate chelate) - these items in parentheses are listed on the bottle of magnesium I happened to have at home. I chewed the 5 tablets so that I was sure they dissolved. Within a short time I was pain free. What a relief!!!! Thank you!!!! I suppose the relaxing effects of the magnesium was responsible. I'm going to try eating more spinach with butter to see if this would be equally as effective. That way I would be getting additional whole foods benefits such as Vitamin E, C, etc.

@Anon: Several herbs are also very good for vascular disorders include ---Grapeseed Extract, White Oak Bark, Butchers Broom, Horse Chestnut.

I'm 40 with 3 kids, I got my variose veins when I was pregnant with my first child and ever since my right leg has gotten worse with each pregnancies. I finally went for sugery cause I was tired of not wearing shorts or skirts and even bathing suits due to how embarrassing I feel about my leg. Well it helped a little not a lot some days it looks really bad like I never had surgery and some days its ok just not enough for me to be comfortable wearing shorts, skirts or bathing suits. I'm gonna try the IBT and see what happens maybe for the first time since I'm 22 I can have nice legs without the scarring that I have now from the surgery... I'll keep you posted.

Hi Denise, I had a lot of problems with varicose veins when I was pregnant with my 3rd child. That was a long time ago now though! Anyway, my best friend at the time could see how much pain I was in. She was also studying to be an acupuncturist at the top school here in L.A. Anyway, she said she would go to the top Chinese medicine teachers and ask them what they do for varicose veins. Without hesitation, they said they would do cupping. She was scared about the idea because it went against her first training which was in Western medicine. I said I wanted to do it because that was my instinct- to massage them. She gave me the treatment and the next day they were gone! It was absolutely amazing. All that was there were stretch marks where the veins had been distended. She continued to give me cupping treatments throughout the pregnancy and I never had varicose veins again. I also went on to have 2 more children.

I hope this information helps. Take care, Lisa

How exactly do you use it?? Do you apply it topically or drink it??? How much??? Thanks

Thankyou, Connie for your basil posting.

One question: Wouldn't fresh basil be more potent and effective than dried basil??? Obviously this is working for you, but I am a little confused and would've thought the fresh herb would be better. Does anyone know???
thankyou. (I LOVE basil!)

Jennifer

That thought occurred to me, too. So I tried adding fresh store-bought basil to a salad thinking it would work even better. It was as if there was no basil at all. Don't know why. Maybe it was irradiated or something. Don't know. Try it. Maybe your basil is different. Both generic store brand and fancy non-irradiated dried basil worked. Maybe it was the variety rather than the processing?

Looking online I saw that 2 teaspoons of dry basil contains 60% of the Daily Value of vitamin K. Curious I went to see what vitamin K is goood for. It is said to regulate the production and flow of calcium, and thereby it helps prevent osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure/stroke, and may help prevent diabetes and Alzheimer's. Supposedly our bodies usually make only a third of what is needed. Liver and gall bladder disease, and diseases of the intestinal tract, as well as some medicines such as long-term antibiotics and cholesterol lowering drugs can deplete vitamin K. The volitile oils in it are destroyed by high heat, so using it at low temperatures or not heating it are recommended. Maybe basil would be helpful where free glutamic acid (think MSG) is causing a calcium imbalance?

I would really like to hear more about how your varicose veins are after using dried basil for a while. I saw an article about using basil in a magazine and know there was a study done on it overseas. I'm curious to see what amount of improvement you've seen in your varicose veins. How long did it take? I'd also like to hear from anyone else who is using it to help varicose and/or spider veins. Thanks!

Andrew K. Fletcher
Paignton, Devon U.K.
+44 1803524117
Inclined Bed Therapy (IBT) Varicose Veins Study.
Inclined To Sleep Inclined Yet?

Dear Reader:
We are seeking more people with varicose veins who are willing to put IBT to the test and feel that this is something that your readers and colleagues will definitely find fascinating and some who have varicose veins and oedema and wish to avoid surgery may want to Help in this important trial and join our Free study which has already produced positive results in only 4 weeks as predicted!

News Release:
An Important Scientific Study into the cause of Varicose Veins and Oedema and Inclined Bed Therapy (I.B.T.) is now underway, which makes use of the way the body uses gravity to move solutes through the vessels to improve circulation and alter the pressure inside the veins to significantly reduce swelling and oedema. Our study is free for anyone to participate in. There are no products to be sold or marketed.

What is Inclined Bed Therapy?
Gravity was identified as the driving force behind circulation in trees in 1994 and was applied immediately to how circulation in the body benefits from the same interaction with salts and sugars in the circulation. A video showing the use of IBT with spinal cord injury can be viewed here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3D7tBQfCxQ

IBT is simply tilting the bed so that the head end is 15 cm's or 6 inches higher than the foot end providing a level but tilted bed, hence the name Inclined Bed Therapy.0 People with varicose veins, oedema (fluid retention) are needed to participate in an online Diary Study, in order to prove that simply altering our sleeping position can have a positive affect on these problems.

If you or someone you know has Varicose Veins, the standard advise is to raise your legs and tilt your bed the other way to IBT, Or to undergo risky and expensive surgery that is prone to fail because it does not address why the pressure inside the vein causes it to bulge.
Which according to current physiology books makes sense. But what if that logic is incorrect? All the evidence from our study is showing that gravity is not a force we are struggling to overcome but a force that drives the fluids within the body.

Are you prepared to take the 4 week challenge and provide us with your observations? Or do you know someone who has varicose veins and would like to watch them slowly but surely shrink and improve every night they go to bed instead of becoming more unsightly and uncomfortable?

Our study is located on the Naked Scientists forum, who have a regular slot on BBC Radio. http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=9843.msg121037#msg121037

My wife's calf showing clearly her varicose vein shadow, which went flat after 4 weeks of Inclined Bed Therapy back in 1994 and has not returned to its former state since. http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=9843.msg121037#msg121037

Alun has already confirmed my statement on the study thread that Varicose veins will shrink after 4 weeks of IBT and has supplied us with photographic before and after 4 weeks of IBT along with a diary account of his observations. And he is not alone. http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=9843.75

We are hoping to find at least 50 more pioneering volunteers who wish to avoid surgery and it's inherent risks and failures, who are willing to provide us with photographic and a written account of their own experiences sleeping inclined.

So far our study is running towards a predicted outcome that flies in the face of current physiology literature.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely, Andrew K Fletcher

I have noticed about two months back that I have varicose veins.

I happened to see around the same time, the Varicose Vein Study presented by Andrew K. Fletcher Paignton, Devon U.K

I arranged, and have been using my bed in inclined position head end 5 inches higher than feet end. This resulted in benefit on total absance of snoring for my wife.

On a critical reading of this study, it occurred to me that I need to change the inclination of feet end 5 inches higher than head end to address my problem of varicose veins.

I am hesitating if I do this, again my wife's snoring may reappear.

I wish to know what are all the benefits/ disadvantages that can be expeted with IBT - with feet end higher to head end.

I request Andrew K. Fletcher Paignton to comment/ advise on this.

I have had tremendous results with varicose vein surgical procedure. Hospitalization covered it, I'd worry about the expense for someone who didn't have hospitalization. There are a couple of types of procedures to be used. Mine consisted of the surgeon using a probe to enter the vein and zapping it with the heat device. What happens is, the vein collapses with the intense heat of the probe, and the body takes the vein away. I felt better as I was leaving the office---that being because I had had so much trouble before I walked in!! With the test results for my legs, the doctor explained the need for the procedure in this way---hold a rolled up towel in your hand..... Now submerge the towel in a bucket of water--now, try to hold the towel in your hand. That's a description of how veins are that have been hard at work all day while you are standing on your feet. There are no pumps in your legs, your veins are doing all the work. You may have reflux, the veins can't circulate under the load. My big concern after my consultation was--what happens to the veins---research on the web confirmed---ummm, you don't have those veins now.... Think of it, they don't work, you're better off without them, the working veins will pull the load. I had no down time, could have gone back to work the same day, but there were compression bandages. I drove myself to and from the office. When you see the wall posters in the doc's office, when you do the research on the web, you see how bad things can get with these bulging veins. It will convince you to be done with them, the legs feel lighter, you'll have much less pain and fatigue. In the consultation the doc looked at my test results and said, with your other concerns (I have bone damage from an auto accident with accompanying osteoarthritis), I can't get total improvement, but this will give you some. I said, with as much trouble as I was having, if it lessened by ten percent I would consider it successful. I got much more than that. They don't say it at all, but I can't believe that the constant "pull" caused by non-functioning veins is not a pull on the heart. This will rid you of the faulty veins will be of benefit---it is not cosmetic, it is a health issue. I am two years post-surgurical procedure, and it has been a tip-top result. You have a pain for a reason, take care of the source of the pain, get evaluated for the vein procedure, they can tell you if it will work for you. Thank you for this page, Earth Clinic.... It's wonderful, it is pricelessly wonderful to have a source on the web. We have become partners with the medical community in our own health.

Will inclined bed therapy work for varicose veins in arms and hands? I don't have them in my legs and haven't read any solutions for this issue.

Hello, I have read that avoiding starchy foods (i.e. potatoes, white bread, pasta, bananas, oats and the like), helps in lowering the inflammation.

Best of Health! Andreas

I've never heard of "oil pulling." Can you explain this for me?

What is OP? I am from Trinidad as well. Chaguanas.

Three specialists gave different feedback on why my right foot was swelling. One said nothing is wrong, anothe said is Capillary leak syndrome, the other said is very mild varicose veins. I have been trying all sort of treatment but nothing is working.

Hi Cherry, You might want to see an acupuncturist and inquire about cupping. It's a method that moves and clears blood stagnation which is what you are most likely experiencing. My acupuncturist has performed this on me for varicose veins long ago, which took care of them and also when my knees were bothering me. It's quite an amazing technique. Hope this info helps, Lisa

hi there.. Did you apply or massage also the apple cider vinegar on your varicose veins?coz' I just started to use this ACV for 2 weeks now, honestly I haven't seen any improvement yet but I will still continue. I know it will take sometime. I'm also taking it taking it 2x a day. But mine is only 2 tsp. of ACV and 1 tsp. of honey. And at night I do rubbed the ACV to my varicose which is all over my legs and once it gets dry, I massaged it also with coconut oil. I only do this in the evening after taking a shower coz' in the morning I need to go to work. Do you have any suugestions? and the brand of ACV does it matter?Im using the vitaminshoppe organic ACV and garden of life for extra virgin coconut oil. hope anybody can suggest me.

thanks...cindy

Hey I wanted to know what brand of ACV you use. I've heard that organic vinegar doesn't work as well, and I wanted to know what you used to get your results.

I have a theory that it wasn't the Apple Cider Vinegar that helped him, it was the 1 tablespoon of honey that he took with the ACV. Maybe varicose veins are caused by some sort of a stomach/digestion issue? Just a thought. I'm currently trying Mastic Gum/Mastica Chios with the ACV to see if I get the same results as James. I'll let you know how it works out!

WHITE VINEGAR IN MY BATH (1/2 CUP) EASED THE PAIN OF VARICOSE VEINS. IT SEEMS TO STIMULATE THE BLOOD FLOW IN THE VEINS. READ THIS IN ONE OF MY MEDICAL BOOKS. ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT CURE IT, IT SURE HELPS.

Doesn't matter the type of vitamin C you take? There are so many on the market; it can become confusing. Thank you!

Dear Lisa,

I like the Nutribiotic brand of Ascorbic Acid form of Vitamin C. It is good quality and inexpensive. I mix one part of that with 1/2 part of baking soda to make sodium ascorbate (when I mix it in water.) That is easier on the system.

I can also use the Ascorbic Acid to make Liposomal C.

I used to use the NOW chewables because my children would take them readily, but they had sorbitol in them and some fillers, which I wanted to avoid.

~Mama to Many~

Witch hazel site, I been visiting some to find answers and they said if you put it on top of the veins it shrinks them... need to reapply.

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.

Is it possible that stones in the liver could cause hemmorhoids or varicose veins in the legs by restricting blood flow?

Hi Lisa, did your friend do the cupping right on the varicose veins? I have varicose veins and had some treatments but result is not satisfactory. Thank you for your time. Regards.

Hi G.a, Yes, my friend was the one who did the cupping for me and it was directly over the varicose veins. I have had cupping done by other acupuncturists as well, quite successfully. Did you have a good acupuncturist? How many treatments? As I said, my friend continued to cup me throughout the rest of my pregnancy so as to keep the blood moving since varicose veins are from blood stagnation. I have fortunately, had very amazing TCM doctors! Hope this helps in your quest, Lisa

I know this is a very old posting but was hoping you will see it, Lisa, and consider sharing any local TCM doctors you recommend?

Chamomile: This at Wikipedia

German chamomile is used medicinally against sore stomach, irritable bowel syndrome, and as a gentle sleep aid. It is also used as a mild laxative and is anti-inflammatory and bactericidal. It can be taken as a herbal tea, two teaspoons of dried flower per cup of tea, which should be steeped for ten to fifteen minutes while covered to avoid evaporation of the volatile oils. The marc should be pressed because of the formation of a new active principle inside the cells, which can then be released by rupturing the cell walls, though this substance only forms very close to boiling point. For a sore stomach, some recommend taking a cup every morning without food for two to three months. [4] It is also used as a mouthwash against oral mucositis. It has acaricidal properties against certain mites, such as Psoroptes cuniculi. One of the active ingredients of the essential oil from German chamomile is the terpene bisabolol. [5][6] Other active ingredients include farnesene, chamazulene, flavonoids (including apigenin, quercetin, patuletin and luteolin) and coumarin.[7]

A 2006 review of the medical literature reported a number of beneficial effects for chamomile in in vitro and animal tests, but added that more human clinical trials are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn. Research with animals suggests antispasmodic, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory and some antimutagenic and cholesterol-lowering effects for chamomile. [8] Chamomile has sped healing time of wounds in animals.[9] [10] It also showed some benefit in an animal model of diabetes.[11] In vitro chamomile has demonstrated moderate antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and significant antiplatelet activity, as well as preliminary results against cancer.[12] [13] Essential oil of chamomile was shown to be a promising antiviral agent against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in vitro. [14] Potential risks include interference with warfarin and infant botulism in very young children.[15] [16]

(end quote)

Coumarin is said to be a blood thinner.

I have varicose veins and I would like to know how do you take the horse chestnut and Butchers Broom and how does it come when you buy it?

Hello, how long did you use witch hazel to see results?

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.

Is L-tyrosine addictive? It works wonders to me, but smb. told me it is very addictive.

Tyrosine is an amino acid and is not addictive.