50% of all American adults aged 50 and older suffer from varicose veins. Characterized by twisted, enlarged veins – typically in the legs – the condition is fairly easy to spot.
It's much more than a superficial concern, though; varicose veins significantly increase one's risk of suffering a fatal deep vein clot. The conditional also tends to cause discomfort, fatigue, inflammation and heaviness.
Unfortunately, traditional treatment for varicose veins tends to be quite expensive. Thankfully, there are a number of things you can try right at home to treat the condition naturally. Without further ado, let's explore 9 of them!
Yup, ACV is making an appearance yet again! The incredibly versatile liquid works to treat varicose veins thanks to its ability to remove calcium deposits in blood vessels. This corrects poor circulation, which is a byproduct of varicose veins and a major cause of the condition's discomfort.
Get some apple cider vinegar and rub it in a circular motion on the affected areas. Within two weeks, you should notice some improvement.
Garlic works to reduce the inflammation associated with varicose veins. This is thanks to the ingredient 1,2-DT. Squeeze plenty of garlic into your diet each day. You can also make a garlic cream by mixing a few minced cloves with a bit of alcohol. Apply this cream to the affected area 4 times weekly.
Witch hazel contains tannins and antistringent (contraction-inducing) compounds that help reduce the size of varicose veins. The Epoch Times recommends getting your hands on witch hazel in liquid form.
Soak a cotton sheet with the witch hazel and wrap it around the affected area. Then, lay your leg out flat in front of you. Stay like this for about a half hour. Repeat this daily.
Parsley contains lots of vitamin C and rutin. Both work to treat varicose veins by boosting cell repair capabilities and strengthening capillaries – the structures that transport blood to your veins.
Get lots of parsley into your diet by juicing it. See this post for more.
Rounding off this list, we have another anti-inflammatory herb that will relieve symptoms of discomfort and swelling characteristic of varicose veins. Get yourself some marigold paste and apply it to the affected area daily.
#1 – Apple Cider Vinegar
Yup, ACV is making an appearance yet again! The incredibly versatile liquid works to treat varicose veins thanks to its ability to remove calcium deposits in blood vessels. This corrects poor circulation, which is a byproduct of varicose veins and a major cause of the condition's discomfort.
Get some apple cider vinegar and rub it in a circular motion on the affected areas. Within two weeks, you should notice some improvement.
#2 – Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper's active ingredient, capsaicin, is another circulation booster. It also eases pain when applied directly to the affected area. If you suffer from varicose veins, try getting lots of cayenne pepper into your diet. You can make a paste by mixing crushed cayenne with aloe vera juice. Apply the mixture directly to your shin. This method takes 1-2 months of daily use to start working.#3 – Garlic
Garlic works to reduce the inflammation associated with varicose veins. This is thanks to the ingredient 1,2-DT. Squeeze plenty of garlic into your diet each day. You can also make a garlic cream by mixing a few minced cloves with a bit of alcohol. Apply this cream to the affected area 4 times weekly.
#4 – Butcher's Broom
No, I'm not going to tell you to chop the affected leg off. Butcher's broom is actually a herb containing ruscogenins – compounds that reduce inflammation and improve circulation. You can buy butcher's broom in supplement form or liquid extract. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Note: If you are on high blood pressure medications, consult with your doctor before taking butcher's broom. WebMD reports that reactions do occur between the two.#5 – Witch Hazel
Witch hazel contains tannins and antistringent (contraction-inducing) compounds that help reduce the size of varicose veins. The Epoch Times recommends getting your hands on witch hazel in liquid form.
Soak a cotton sheet with the witch hazel and wrap it around the affected area. Then, lay your leg out flat in front of you. Stay like this for about a half hour. Repeat this daily.
#6 – Horse Chestnut Seed Extract
Horse chestnut seed extract contains the active ingredient aescin, which improves circulation. Aescin also relieves the leg swelling, itching and discomfort characteristic of varicose veins. You can buy horse chestnut seed extract in supplement form. Do not eat raw, unprocessed horse chestnut seeds; they contain dangerous amounts of the toxin esculin.#7 – Parsley
Parsley contains lots of vitamin C and rutin. Both work to treat varicose veins by boosting cell repair capabilities and strengthening capillaries – the structures that transport blood to your veins.
Get lots of parsley into your diet by juicing it. See this post for more.
#8 – Red Vine Leaves
You know what I heard through the grapevine? Red vine leaves – also known as grapevine leaves – are super effective at treating varicose veins. In one clinical study, patients who took red vine leaf supplements daily had their varicose vein symptoms greatly reduced. The supplement works by improving circulation and restoring protective nutrients.#9 – Marigold
Rounding off this list, we have another anti-inflammatory herb that will relieve symptoms of discomfort and swelling characteristic of varicose veins. Get yourself some marigold paste and apply it to the affected area daily.
