Natural Treatments for Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are a health problem that results from poor circulation, but they’re also an issue of aesthetics as they can become very obvious and affect a person’s self-esteem.
While professional and medical treatment is necessary in some cases, there are also some other treatments for varicose veins that you can do at home.
In this article, we’ll show you some natural treatments for varicose veins you can follow to prevent their appearances and even eliminate the ones that have recently appeared.
Natural treatments for varicose veins
Improve circulation
Varicose veins usually start in the liver, the organ that regulates our blood circulation and promotes healthy blood production.
So, it’s important to always remember that a complete treatment for varicose veins must start with a healthy diet. Along with a healthy diet, make sure to include the following foods:
- Fruits and vegetables, including lemon, grapefruit, artichokes, or chicory root
- Beans cooked with cumin, fennel, or kombu seaweed
- Whole grains, especially rice, millet, quinoa, or buckwheat
- Eggs, preferably organic
- Fish
- White meats
- Fruits and nuts, raw or roasted, but not fried or salted
- Seeds, raw or sprouted
- Oils such as sesame, olive, sunflower, flax, and wheat germ
- Plant-based drinks made with oats, rice, or almonds
- Spices like pepper or turmeric
On the other hand, it’s important to avoid or limit the consumption of:
- Red meats and sausages
- Milk and dairy products
- Fried and precooked foods
- Alcohol
Regulate the intestines
The intestines are another organ system that affects the body’s overall circulation. If they malfunction or have a blockage, it can result in improper waste disposal and circulation throughout the body.
Because of this, we should always try to treat problems in the intestines naturally, especially if we suffer from constipation or have a susceptibility to diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome, which are some common problems.
Along with following the advice listed above, in order to regulate your intestines naturally, make sure you also:
- Have a diet high in fiber
- Limit foods that have a high fat content
- Stay hydrated
Teas that improve circulation
We have to care for our bodies from the inside and outside. For this reason, we recommend drinking teas every day that help improve circulation and also to serve as one of the treatments for varicose veins.
The following herbs are excellent choices:
Plants that improves liver function
- Boldo
- Dandelion
- Thistle (not recommended for patients with significant liver problems).
Teas to improve circulatory function in the limbs
- Rosemary (don’t use if you suffer from high blood pressure)
- Indian pennyworth
A plant to improve microcirculation
- Ginkgo biloba
Tea to regulate bowel function
- Flaxseed
To sweeten these teas you can add the juice from half a lemon and a little stevia, or honey.
See also: How Stevia and Cinnamon May Help People with Diabetes
Cold water
Cold water can provide immediate relief for circulatory problems, as long as you use it in the right way.
- First of all, put your legs in a tub of very cold water. You can do this in the shower, the bathtub, the pool, the ocean, or even use a hose.
- Wait for a few moments
- Then dry the legs to warm them up and experience the temperature contrast, which has a great effect.
If you still haven’t warmed back up, then do a little exercise or massage your legs.
Moisturizers and massages
To further improve blood circulation in your legs, you should massage them at least once a day using your favorite lotion. We always recommend using a natural product without any ingredients that could be detrimental to your health.
You can opt for a gel or moisturizer, or make your own massage oil by blending plant-based almond oil with a few drops of any of the following essential oils:
- Rosemary
- Witch hazel
- Indian pennyworth
- Chestnut
Massage your legs in a circular motion, moving upwards toward the heart. Finish with ascending by performing quick pats with closed fists.
Inverted posture
Every night before going to bed, lie on the floor, on the bed, or on a couch and put your feet up. If possible, rest the buttocks against a wall. Next, make your legs totally vertical, essentially creating a right angle with the body.
Stay in this position for 15 to 30 minutes, unless the legs begin to fall asleep before that time.
This simple exercise is very effective and relaxing if you do it every day.
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.
Arora, M. (2017). Management of varicose veins. JK Science. https://doi.org/10.9738/INTSURG-D-14-00084.1
Gloviczki, P., Comerota, A. J., Dalsing, M. C., Eklof, B. G., Gillespie, D. L., Gloviczki, M. L., … Wakefield, T. W. (2011). The care of patients with varicose veins and associated chronic venous diseases: Clinical practice guidelines of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the American Venous Forum. Journal of Vascular Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2011.01.079