Varicose veins are swollen and twisted veins in a person’s legs that are easily discernible under the surface of the skin, usually dark blue in appearance, and are often accompanied by itchiness, swelling in the feet and ankles, and leg pain. Varicose veins are more common in women than in men, and are linked with heredity. Other related factors are overweight, pregnancy, standing or sitting for long hours lead to weakening of veins. In general, varicose veins pose little harm if the involved vein is near the surface. However, in addition to being unsightly, can be quite painful. For many people, home remedies for varicose veins are the best choice! From apple cider vinegar to compression stockings, you’ll be surprised at some of the remedies.
Here are the top 6 home remedies for varicose veins.
Grape Seed Oil
Grape Seed Oil is known as an excellent natural remedy for a number of skin conditions, including varicose veins. Loaded with vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid, and the antioxidants oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs), grape seeds oil help strengthen your veins, which prevents them from swelling and breaking and causing varicose veins. You can take grape seed oil to fight against varicose veins, or massage the oil directly onto the affected area and it will help repair damaged blood vessels to improve blood circulation.
Apple Cider Vinegar
A cheap and quick home remedy? Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) can be called a magical cure-all that can cure a number of diseases including all types of pains, swelling, heartburn and even varicose veins. It is a natural body cleansing product and it also improves blood flow and circulation. A simple remedy is to mix 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water, and drink this 2 times per day. If you don’t like the taste of this vinegar you can also apply undiluted apple cider vinegar on the skin over the varicose veins and gently massage the area. This treatment should be done at least twice a day – morning and evening. After a month you will notice the first results.
Marigold
Marigold are believed to help shrink varicose veins and encourage healthy veins, thanks to its flavonoids and triterpenes. Prolonged use of this herb may actually get you rid of varicose veins completely. You can steep crushed marigolds in boiling water and use the liquid to make a compress. Repeat several times a day for a few months until you notice improvement. You can also eat fresh marigold petals as additional treatment.
Garlic
Garlic is known for its ability to reduce inflammation and other symptoms of varicose veins. It improves blood circulation and eliminates toxins from the blood vessels. Adding garlic to your diet or regularly applying a garlic paste to the varicose veins can quickly reduce their appearance and discomfort. If you prefer garlic capsules, make sure they are rich in allicin, the active ingredient in garlic. Try this remedy for a few months to notice significant results.
Wear Compression Stockings
Compression stockings may help relieve the pain, discomfort and swelling in your legs caused by your varicose veins. They apply more pressure to the lower legs than to the thigh area. This encourages blood to flow upwards towards your heart. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) only recommends using compression stockings as a long-term treatment for varicose veins if all other treatments are not suitable for you. The compression stockings are sometimes recommended for pregnant women. These stockings can generally be purchased at any surgical supply
store and at some pharmacies.
Lifestyle Remedies for Varicose Veins
While the above herbal and home remedies for varicose veins will give you relief, the most effective way to deal with them in the long-term is to make a few simple lifestyle changes as follows:
*Avoid wearing high heels.
*Elevate your legs each night while you sleep.
*Lose weight. Excess weight can put undue pressure on your legs, making your varicose veins worse.
*Avoid long periods of sitting or standing. Make a point of changing your position frequently to encourage blood flow.
*Exercising. Getting regular exercise help with the body’s circulation, and that includes circulating blood through varicose veins.
