Can Varicose and Spider Veins Be Eliminated?

Regular massage can help improve circulation in the legs and lessen the appearance of spider veins. You’ll see even better results when combined with essential oil treatments.

In today’s article, you’ll learn how to eliminate varicose and spider veins naturally and effectively.

Spider veins and varicose veins are serious problems that go beyond the cosmetic issue of not wanting to show off your legs. They can be caused by a number of factors and intensive care is required to treat them properly.

Causes of spider and varicose veins

You might have seen the odd purple spider vein in your leg and not given it much thought. However, it’s a good idea to keep track of the situation and make sure it doesn’t develop into a more serious annoyance. According to this study from the Italian Hospital of Montevideo, varicose veins can be a sign of a more serious future problem, such as thrombosis.

Only a doctor can accurately diagnose your condition. You should also try to find out what’s causing the appearance of your varicose or spider veins.

Over time, varicose veins can even become painful if left untreated, keeping you from walking, wearing certain clothes, or do other daily activities.

Fortunately, with dedication and practice, you can treat these varicose and spider vein problems that manifested in your legs and cause discomfort.

A change in your daily habits can greatly improve your outlook. Varicose veins can occur because of:

• Obesity, as this study published in the Cuban Magazine of Health Sciences Information states.
• Leading a sedentary lifestyle.
• Smoking.
• Genetics, as stated in this study by Stanford University.
• Circulatory disorders. Nevertheless, there’s no conclusive scientific evidence that preexisting problems could be a trigger.

Tips for dealing with varicose and spider veins

These tips will help improve the appearance of spider or varicose veins and other discomforts and help you change a few bad habits.

Improve your circulation

This is an important aspect of blood flow anywhere in the body, not just in your legs. Lower intensity exercises such as walking the dog, going for a stroll in the park, riding a bicycle, or swimming, are all excellent activities for good circulation.

You can also keep your legs elevated when you’re at home sitting on the couch. Try not to stay sitting or standing for long periods of time, and remember to change positions as often as possible.

Lose weight

Obesity or being overweight is a major cause of varicose and spider veins. That’s because your legs are bearing more weight and the veins have to work harder to pump blood back to your heart. A study conducted by the Howard-Nize Foundation by both France and Cambridge suggests that low-calorie diets help lead to optimum weight.

Talk to your family doctor or an endocrinologist so they can keep you lose those extra pounds that are putting pressure on your extremities.

Wear compression socks or stockings

People who travel a lot for work often choose to wear compression stockings. You can buy these at any pharmacy or store without a prescription. Wear them all day, not only when you find yourself sitting or standing in one position.

Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor first about how long you should wear them to avoid future problems.

Massage your legs

Every afternoon or evening when you get home (or even a few times a week if you don’t think you can manage every day), try massaging your legs to improve blood circulation. This technique already works to treat water retention, just as this study conducted by Holguin University of Medical Sciences states.

Complement your massage with some essential oils, such as lavender, olive oil, eucalyptus, or any scent you enjoy.

Sleep with your legs elevated

You can do this in a variety of ways, but the best ways are to put pillows under your ankles so that your legs rest higher than your torso and put some cinder blocks underneath the bed to ensure that your legs are elevated higher than your head.

Another way to improve your blood circulation is to raise your legs for a few minutes. You could place your ankles or heels on the wall as you lie down on the floor, bed, or sofa, for example.

Improve your diet

It’s very important to include more antioxidants in your diet. This helps keep your veins healthier and stronger. Adding more bioflavonoids can also help reduce the appearance of spider veins, as several studies state that they have therapeutic effects in these cases.

Bioflavonoids are found in citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits.

Natural remedies for varicose and spider veins

You’ve already learned some of the ways you can improve the appearance of varicose and spider veins. Furthermore, you know that your diet is important to improve any condition or problem. Now, we want to share some of the best home remedies for treating spider and varicose veins:

Cranberries

Cranberries help improve your blood circulation because they’re vasodilators that help thin the blood while strengthening the walls of your veins at the same time.

Try eating at least a handful of cranberries a day, either by themselves or in juices or salads.

Marigold

This flowering plant is beneficial both for your skin and your inner health. According to a study conducted by the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University in India, marigold improves veins and prevent them from worsening due to the passage of time or bad habits. It repairs damaged tissues, is anti-inflammatory according to information from various health institutions, and reduces swelling.

You can buy natural calendula cream at health food stores and apply it to your legs every evening before you go to bed. You can also create your own ointment at home:

Ingredients

• 1 handful of marigold petals
• A little water

Preparation
Crush the flower petals with the water until you get a paste. Apply it to the areas affected with varicose or spider veins every evening. Rinse in the morning. Do this every day for at least one month.

Witch hazel

This herb is believed to have astringent properties that help open your circulatory system and relieve the heaviness that varicose veins produce. However, no scientific evidence backs up its use. To consume this plant, you can make tea:

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon of dried witch hazel leaves (5 g)
• 1 cup of boiling water (250 ml)

Preparation

Make a tea just like you would with any other herb and drink it when it’s reached the best temperature.

If you prefer to apply it topically, you can use witch hazel water. Prepare the tea but, instead of drinking it, let it cool and apply it to your legs with a cloth or cotton ball. However, no scientific evidence backs up any effect.