10 Best Remedies for Treating Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are one of the most common circulatory problems around, which affect primarily women, although several men suffer from them too.
10 Best Remedies for Treating Varicose Veins
Maricela Jiménez López

Reviewed and approved by the doctor Maricela Jiménez López.

Written by Ekhiñe Graell

Last update: 26 May, 2022

Speaking in broad terms, varicose veins are dilated veins that prevent proper blood circulation and result in visible bulging. Here, we will discuss a few of the most effective remedies for treating varicose veins.

Even though their origins reside in poor circulatory system functioning, there are several different causes that could unleash them, as well as solutions.  That’s why we are going to tell you about 10 remedies for treating varicose veins.

Remedies for treating varicose veins

The most common is obesity, along with being sedentary or lack of mobility, standing for long periods of time, using contraceptives, family history, smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol or thrombosis problems.

It’s important that you pay attention to the first signs because if not, very serious complications could arise.  For example, this could seriously affect certain parts of the body in some cases, particularly the lower areas, which could even lead to amputation.

Of course, there are different recommendations that prevent their appearance.  But if you already have them, we are going to give you a few very effective remedies for treating varicose veins.  In spite of what a lot of people think, they can be very helpful, especially if done accordingly.

1. Garlic

This is one of the most beneficial natural products for fighting varicose veins.  Thanks to its properties, garlic aids treating varicose veins by reducing inflammation and improving circulation.

Experts recommend consuming it either in your daily diet, normally how everyone else does, or applying it as a cream, made with minced garlic cloves and a bit of alcohol.  This remedy should be applied four times a week on the affected areas.

2. Aloe vera

Treating varicose veins with aloe vera
Aloe vera properties are very effective for varicose veins, as well as for other conditions and all sorts of other illnesses.  In this case, we recommend applying it as a compress to the affected areas.

It’s best to use them at night and let them sit until the following morning.  It is very important to use hot aloe vera because the plant acts better this way.

3. Apple cider vinegar

This product is also very effective against varicose veins.  It is easy to apply also.  All you need to do is moisten a clean cloth or towel with a bit of apple cider vinegar, and then place it over your varicose veins.

You should leave the cloth on for a few minutes.  Or you could also give yourself gentle massages, moving from down low, upwards.  One important piece of information is that you should not apply pressure to the affected areas.

4. Vinegar, carrot, and aloe cream

Another very effective option is to prepare a cream out of aloe, vinegar (preferably apple cider vinegar), and carrots.  As said before, the two first options can be used in other ways.   To make the cream, place all ingredients in a food processor.

If you don’t have one you could also use a blender.  Once the ingredients are in the processor, blend until creating a rather thick paste.  This apply this cream to your varicose veins and let it set for 30 minutes.  Rinse with cold water once you remove it.

5. Immersion baths

This is a very simple remedy that can be used every day.  It can also be very helpful for the feet, because afterwards they will feel well-rested, relaxed, fresh, and if they’re swollen, the swelling may even go down.

Immersion baths should be done in a tub with water, sea salt, and one cup of apple cider vinegar.  Submerge your legs for 20 minutes while occasionally massaging your legs.

6. Green clay ointment

This remedy consists of preparing an ointment or a paste from green clay, mixing it with a bit of water.  Of course, you shouldn’t use a lot of water because otherwise, the ointment consistency won’t be right.  Once ready, apply to the affected areas, preferably at night, letting it dry.  Afterwards, wash everything off with a bit of warm water and neutral soap.

7. Leafy solution

Leafy greens are good for treating varicose veins
This remedy requires a little bit more preparation.  However, it is very effective, making it worth it.  It consists of boiling two liters of water and then adding a handful of mint, a handful of chamomile leaves, and one more handful of laurel.  Let steep in the solution for 5 minutes, and then apply.

Submerge your feet in a tub or basin, after mixing the solution with a pinch of sodium bicarbonate.  It is important that we mention that this remedy could cause urticaria in some people, which is why caution should be used with it.

8. Chili pepper

As incredible as it may seem, spice or chili peppers have properties that help decongest veins and improve blood circulation.  That’s why specialists recommend eating small amounts of this product.

There are several different options that you could use.  For example, for individuals that aren’t used to eating chili, they could consume pepper that, truthfully, is a sweeter type of pepper, rather than being so spicy.

9. Chestnut bark tea

This remedy consists of boiling 50 grams of Indian chestnut bark in one liter of water for about 10 minutes.  After that time you will have to strain the tea and drink it immediately.  Because of its properties, Indian chestnut is perfect for good circulation and reducing the swelling in varicose veins.

10. Essential oils

Essential oils can help treat
These are great for reducing inflammation in varicose veins and for promoting good circulation.  It’s best to use them to give yourself massages over the affected areas.  For example, it’s best to start at your feet and ankles and slowly move upwards to the thighs.

These massages should be gentle, from bottom to top, in a circular fashion.  Do them primarily at night, so that the essential oils can act better while you sleep. This is a great way of treating varicose veins.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Antani, M. R., & Dattilo, J. B. Varicose Veins. 2017.
  • Banerjee SK, Maulik SK. Effect of garlic on cardiovascular disorders: a review. Nutr J. 2002 Nov 19;1:4.
  • de Moraes Silva MA, Nakano LC, Cisneros LL, Miranda F Jr. Balneotherapy for chronic venous insufficiency. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019 Aug 26;8(8):CD013085.
  • Campbell B. Varicose veins and their management. BMJ. 2006 Aug 5;333(7562):287-92. doi: 10.1136/bmj.333.7562.287.
  • Owczarek A, Kolodziejczyk-Czepas J, Woźniak-Serwata J, Magiera A, Kobiela N, Wąsowicz K, Olszewska MA. Potential Activity Mechanisms of Aesculus hippocastanum Bark: Antioxidant Effects in Chemical and Biological In Vitro Models. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 Jun 22;10(7):995.
  • Sano A, Tokutake S, Seo A. Proanthocyanidin-rich grape seed extract reduces leg swelling in healthy women during prolonged sitting. J Sci Food Agric. 2013 Feb;93(3):457-62.
  • Soleti R, Coué M, Trenteseaux C, Hilairet G, Fizanne L, Kasbi-Chadli F, Mallegol P, Chaigneau J, Boursier J, Krempf M, Geoffriau E, Andriantsitohaina R, Ouguerram K. Carrot Supplementation Improves Blood Pressure and Reduces Aortic Root Lesions in an Atherosclerosis-Prone Genetic Mouse Model. Nutrients. 2021 Apr 2;13(4):1181.
  • Tabassum N, Hamdani M. Plants used to treat skin diseases. Pharmacogn Rev. 2014 Jan;8(15):52-60.
  • Weseler AR, Bast A. Masquelier’s grape seed extract: from basic flavonoid research to a well-characterized food supplement with health benefits. Nutr J. 2017 Jan 19;16(1):5.
  • Yong YL, Tan LT, Ming LC, Chan KG, Lee LH, Goh BH, Khan TM. The Effectiveness and Safety of Topical Capsaicin in Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2017 Jan 10;7:538.

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.