Varicose Veins
Normal veins-the vessels that carry blood to the heart-contain valves
that open and close to permit blood to flow in only one direction. If these
valves become weak and don't fully close, blood flows backward and
collects, resulting in bulging veins. Commonly referred to as varicose veins,
they almost always develop in the legs (although hemorrhoids are actually
varicose veins in the anus).
In most people, varicose veins produce only mild discomfort. In severe
cases, however, blood and other fluids leak out of the veins into the
surrounding tissue, causing scaly, itchy skin or swelling in the ankles from
the fluid that has pooled in the legs. Sometimes the legs feel heavy or
achy, particularly after extended periods of standing. The veins tend to
worsen over time without treatment.
Genetic and hormonal factors play key roles in the occurrence of varicose
veins. The condition tends to run in families and is four times more
common in women than men.
Other possible causes include obesity, pregnancy, or frequent heavy
lifting, all of which can create excessive pressure on the veins. Pregnancy
also produces hormonal changes believed to weaken the veins in the
legs. Varicose veins tend to affect people who spend a lot of time on
their feet, who habitually cross their legs, or who get too little exercise.
Also at risk are people with congestive heart failure (an inability of the
heart to pump blood properly) or liver disease.
Supplements and herbs
If you have varicose veins, taking vitamin C with
flavonoids (which help
the body use vitamin C) and vitamin E can improve blood circulation and
strengthen the walls of the veins and capillaries. The herb
gotu kola can be added to these vitamins
and is probably the most valuable botanical for this condition. Gotu kola enhances blood flow, increases the tone of
the connective tissue surrounding the veins, and keeps the veins supple.
Bilberry complements gotu kola; in fact, these two herbs are often sold
in a single supplement. Horse chestnut can be used in place of gotu kola
and bilberry. This herb appears to control inflammation and swelling and
to reduce the accumulation of fluid. If you cannot find the standardized
extract of horse chestnut, you can substitute the herb
butcher's broom.
Procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs) found in grape seed extract at a dose of
150- 300 mg a day may also improve varicose veins. It may take up to
three months to see results. You can take the vitamins and herbs that
work best for you indefinitely.
Homeopathy
For acute symptoms of pain or inflammation, take the chosen remedy
several times daily. For more chronic vein problems, use the remedy for
up to a month, taking a break for a week or more and reassessing.
- Aesculus
Distended veins of purple color. Purple, puffy skin. Varicose
ulcers.
Depressed and irritable. Weak lower limbs. Sense of heaviness, fullness.
Sticking, hot lightening pains. Congestion of the liver with
constipation.
Worse: walking, standing, motion, cold, winter, a.m. Better: open air.
- Bellis
Distended, engorged veins. Varicosities during pregnancy, difficult to walk.
Painful varicose veins; deep aching or bruised pain. Heavy, tired limbs.
Swollen tissues, bruising. Tendency to bleed. Old injuries or
sprains.
Worse: fast walking, warmth, touch, chilling. Better: rubbing, motion.
- Carbo veg
Congested blue vein network under the skin. Mottled appearance, livid.
Varicosities tend to ulcerate. Slow, sluggish; mentally and physically.
Limbs go to sleep. Weak. Chilly; icy cold, blue limbs but burning pains.
Worse: warmth, night before sleep, cold air, wine. Better: elevating feet.
- Fluoric acidum
Chronic varicose veins, ulcers; in women who have had many children.
Burning pain in small spots. Small knots of enlarged capillaries, veins.
Weak distended blood vessels. Sensitive veins. Feels need to walk fast.
Worse: night, warmth, lying, sitting, touch. Better: fast motion, cool bathing.
- Hamamelis
Varicose veins of legs and thighs with congestion, heaviness, swelling,
or soreness. Passive bleeding. During pregnancy. Chilliness down legs.
Sensitive, stinging, inflamed veins. Itching. Ulcers. Tired, bruised feeling.
Worse: jarring, touch, warm, wet, sitting, pressure. Better: lying, motion.
- Lachesis
Sensitive, swollen, engorged, inflamed or ulcerated veins. Network of
veins in skin or face; knotted veins behind knee, in the leg, foot, arms.
Phlebitis, blue-red swelling along course of veins. Hard, ropy veins.
Skin mottled, purplish, livid. Easy bleeding. Intense, talkative, suspicious.
Worse: after sleep, pregnancy, menopause, touch, heat,
alcohol, left side.
- Pulsatilla
Knotty, weak, swollen veins, tender to touch. Bluish, sore, stinging pains.
Phlebitis, itching. Heaviness in legs. Varicosities of forearms and hands,
legs; of feet with swelling. Bleeding. Chilly. Mild, emotional, weepy, needy.
Worse: external heat, evening, rest, pregnancy. Better: rubbing, cool air.
- Sepia
Loss of elasticity: distended, congested, purple veins. Legs and thighs.
During pregnancy, uterine prolapse, menses with bearing down pains.
Inflamed, itching or ulcerated. Heaviness, bleeding. Stitching pains.
Sluggish bowels, late menses, hemorrhoids, lax muscles, depression.
Worse: cold, on waking, touch. Better: walking fast, warmth, uncovering.
What else you can do
- Exercise, but avoid high-impact activities. Walk, bike, or swim rather
than jog, If you lift weights, don't use very heavy ones.
- Elevate your legs whenever possible. This helps prevent the blood
from pooling in the veins.
- Avoid prolonged standing or sitting and don't cross your legs.
- Don't wear tight clothing, including shoes, panty hose, or belts. These
items can constrict veins in and around the legs and make it hard for
blood to move upward as it should.
Usual dosage
-
- Vitamin C / Flavonoids
- 1,000 mg vitamin C and 500 mg flavonoids 3 times a day.
Reduce vitamin C dose if
diarrhea develops.
- Vitamin E
- 400 IU twice a day.
Check with your doctor if taking anticoagulant medications.
- Gotu kola
- 200 mg extract or 400-500 mg crude herb 3 times a day.
Extract standardized to contain 10% asiaticosides.
- Bilberry
- 80 mg 3 times a day.
Standardized to contain 25% anthocyanosides.
- Horse chestnut
- 500 mg each morning.
Standardized to contain 16%-21% escin.
- Butcher's broom
- 150 mg 3 times a day.
Standardized to contain 9%-11% ruscogenin.
More useful herbs
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