Varicose veins are enlarged veins that develop when the venous valves no longer function properly or are damaged. Blood accumulates in the veins and flows back to the heart only slowly. Varicose veins can develop anywhere in the body, but they are particularly common in the legs. Obesity, pregnancy and standing for hours every day are considered risk factors for varicose veins. We present you the best natural remedies for varicose veins.

Treating varicose veins naturally

Varicose veins are also known as varices (from the Latin varix = varicose vein). It is a disease of the veins, which is also known as varicose veins. Varicose veins are enlarged, sometimes knot-shaped veins that shimmer bluish under the skin. Varicose veins usually form in superficial veins, but can basically develop in any vein in the body.

One of the most common reasons for the development of varicose veins is a congenital weakness of the connective tissue. But constant sitting or standing in combination with a lack of exercise can also contribute to the development of venous disease.

Varicose veins are not only a visual problem, they are the most common cause of vein inflammation, which in turn can lead to damage to the blood vessel walls.

The slower blood flow caused by varicose veins can also contribute to the formation of blood clots, which in turn can lead to thrombosis or embolism. Both are serious conditions that can even be life-threatening.

It is therefore important not to ignore varicose veins, but to take action to prevent them from getting worse. We present natural remedies that can improve varicose veins and reduce the risk of secondary diseases.

The formation of varicose veins

Blood is pumped through the blood vessels continuously every day. This task is naturally most demanding in those parts of the body that have to transport blood against gravity. This is especially true for the legs, which depend on a complex transport system of venous and muscular pumping devices, such as venous valves.

These valves ensure that the blood flows upwards to the heart and not back down again. If the vein wall or the connective tissue is weakened, the valves no longer function properly. The blood accumulates in the veins, which expand, protrude and form a varicose vein.

Home remedies for varicose veins

Before conventional therapies such as laser therapy are used, natural remedies for varicose veins should be tried first. In many cases, they ensure that varicose veins improve in a relatively inexpensive and pleasant way.

1. Horse chestnut

Horse chestnut is a deciduous tree that originally comes from the forests of southeastern Europe. Its fruits, the chestnuts, are one of the best natural remedies for varicose veins. They contain the secondary plant substance aescin, a saponin with vasoconstricting, vasoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties – exactly the properties needed to combat varicose veins.

A review from 2012 examined 17 studies in which the effect of an oral horse chestnut extract on varicose veins was tested. It was found that the extract promoted blood circulation in the veins and thereby reduced swelling and inflammation in the legs. The scientists said they did not know exactly how the aescin worked. However, it is suspected that it seals injured (“leaking”) capillaries, improves the elasticity of the vessel walls and prevents the release of enzymes that lead to damage to the blood vessels.

The usual dose is 300 mg of horse chestnut extract twice daily, but it should be standardized to 50 mg of aescin per dose, so that 100 mg of aescin is taken daily (1).

Accompanying external treatment with horse chestnut gels and ointments can also provide relief – as suggested by a study published in the journal Angiology in 2004. It showed that horse chestnut can also support the healing of varicose veins when applied externally (2).

Horse chestnuts should not be processed and eaten without permission for the treatment of varicose veins, as they contain a glucoside called aesculin, which is toxic to humans above a certain dose.

2. OPC

Clinical research repeatedly shows the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of grape seeds, which is why extracts from them are often used in cases of poor blood circulation – a condition that is also present in varicose veins.

A study published in the journal Minerva Cardio angiologica showed that the proanthocyanidins (OPC) in grape seed extract can significantly improve the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. Chronic venous insufficiency is usually the prerequisite for varicose veins.

Grape seed extract can be taken in capsules, tablets or liquid form. Make sure that a daily dose provides at least 180 to 200 mg of OPC (4).

OPC or proanthocyanidins are secondary plant substances that have a particularly positive effect wherever collagen-rich connective tissue needs to be repaired, rebuilt or strengthened – and the walls of the veins are made of this collagen-rich connective tissue. Since vitamin C works together with OPC to repair collagen, you should prefer products that contain vitamin C or ensure you have a diet rich in vitamin C.

OPC is found not only in grape seeds, but also in pine bark, which is why pine bark extract is recommended for varicose veins and many other complaints that require improved blood circulation and connective tissue repair.

A study published in March 2014 in the journal Phytotherapy Research showed that Pycnogenol, a patented pine bark extract, can treat chronic venous insufficiency and related conditions. The researchers involved attributed the positive results to the strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, vasodilating and collagen-stabilizing effects of pine bark (3) (5).

For varicose veins, pine bark extract can be either taken orally (50 to 100 mg three times a day) or applied (massage with pine bark oil twice a day as a massage oil).

Since pine bark extract not only improves varicose veins, but also hemorrhoids, lowers blood pressure, regulates all vascular problems such as high cholesterol and can help with psoriasis, it is worth using in several ways.

3. Silicon

Under 2. we explained that OPC together with vitamin C can repair the collagen in the connective tissue of the blood vessels. The third element that is needed for this repair and which can also be deficient in the body is silicon.

Silicon gives connective tissue its elasticity and strength. Without silicon, however, connective tissue becomes brittle, tears easily and tiny injuries occur, which ultimately contributes to the development of varicose veins. If there is a silicon deficiency, the blood no longer flows as well and blood circulation deteriorates.

Liquid silicon is very suitable for supplying silicon.

4. Tea from Buckwheat leaves

A tea made from buckwheat leaves (Fagopyrum esculentum – buckwheat herb tea) can also be used for varicose veins, as well as hemorrhoids, circulatory problems and heavy and/or swollen legs. The tea is considered a good source of flavonoids, including rutin. This is a secondary plant substance that is known as a tonic for veins and blood vessels and (in synthetic form) is used as a basis for the production of medications that are recommended for vascular diseases (and are also said to be more bioavailable than natural rutin, e.g. oxerutin, troxerutin).

Rutin and its breakdown products, which are produced during digestion, have anti-inflammatory, circulation-stimulating and antioxidant effects (protect against oxidative stress and thus against cell damage). They also inhibit certain enzymes that would otherwise lead to increased permeability of the vessels. Rutin and its breakdown products lead to better sealing and elasticity of the vessels, which prevents fluid from leaking out of the vessels into the tissue and thus prevents thick, heavy and painful legs.

As early as 1996, a study with 67 patients aged between 22 and 74 with chronic venous insufficiency showed that buckwheat herb tea could at least slow the disease. The participants drank buckwheat herb tea or a placebo tea for 3 months. Although the average leg circumference did not change noticeably in the buckwheat herb tea group (40 people), it increased significantly in the placebo group (37 people). If one looked less at the average values ​​and instead examined the changes in the individual participants, it was shown that the leg circumference decreased in 16 people in the buckwheat herb tea group, while this was the case in only 6 participants in the placebo group. No side effects were observed (6).

The participants drank 1 cup three times a day, using one tea bag containing 1.8 g of buckwheat herb per cup (which corresponds to 270 mg of rutin per day). It is prepared like a normal herbal tea (pour boiling water over it and let it brew for 5 to 10 minutes).

The rutin content in dried buckwheat leaves varies between 2100 and 3400 mg per 100 g (7), so when buying tea it is often not known how much rutin one is consuming. Therefore, rutin could also be taken in the form of food supplements, which allows the targeted intake of specific amounts of rutin.

(Buckwheat seeds, which can be eaten cooked as a side dish like rice or processed into patties, also contain rutin, but unfortunately in very variable amounts, so that one cannot rely on them. The rutin content in the seeds varies between 50 and 1350 mg per 100 g of dry seeds.).

Summary of the first four measures:

If you have varicose veins, you could (in consultation with your doctor) proceed as follows:

1. Externally, apply horse chestnut gel or ointment and pine bark oil.
2. Internally take:
   • 300 mg horse chestnut extract twice daily (see above)
   • 180 to 200 mg OPC divided into 2 to 3 doses per day (or Pycnogenol from pine bark)
   • one to two doses of silicon per day (dose according to the manufacturer’s instructions – or see above)
   • drink buckwheat herb tea one to three times a day or take a preparation containing rutin (see above)
3. In addition, you should optimize your magnesium intake, as magnesium improves blood circulation, inhibits inflammation and prevents cramps that are caused by the presence of varicose veins. For example, take a total of 200 to 300 mg of magnesium daily – ideally divided into two to three portions.

When taking the medication, take breaks of 1 to 2 weeks every now and then to keep habit forming or the risk of side effects as low as possible.

5. Behavioral measures

In everyday life, it is important that you implement the following measures if you have varicose veins, and possibly change your previous behavior or habits:

1. Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time, as this will cause blood to pool in the veins, increasing pressure on the veins and causing the legs to swell more easily.
2. Do not wear tight clothing as it may interrupt blood flow.
3. Put your legs up as often as possible and, if possible, raise the foot of your bed (not if you have heart problems!).
4. Only wear comfortable shoes with a normal heel height.
5. Avoid hot baths, saunas and direct sunlight.
6. Cold lower leg wraps (possibly with mineral clay) improve the vascular tension of the veins.
7. Cold knee and thigh douches are also very helpful, as cold stimuli strengthen the blood vessels.
8. Have your vitamin D levels checked and take the vitamin if they are too low. One study showed that patients suffering from venous leg ulcers (a serious consequence of chronic venous insufficiency) are significantly more likely to have a vitamin D deficiency than healthy people (9).
9. Eat foods rich in vitamin C. When it comes to vitamin C, it has also been shown that people with venous leg ulcers had lower vitamin C levels than healthy people. However, vitamin C is extremely important for healing processes and the regeneration of the collagen-rich blood vessel walls. If you want, you can also take the vitamin in capsule or tablet form (e.g. 500 mg per day).

6. Naturopathic therapies for varicose veins

In combination with the means and measures described above, naturopathic therapies can also help varicose veins to visibly regress. We present some of these forms of therapy below:

Compression therapy

If varicose veins are severe, it is strongly recommended to wear support stockings or elastic bandages, as the compression supports the veins and relieves pressure. However, this therapy should initially be avoided in milder forms of venous insufficiency, as no vein training can take place under compression and the incentive for self-regulation is lost.

Bath therapy

Kneipp bath strengthen the blood vessel walls. The alternation between warm and cold water trains the veins, because while the venous vessels expand in warm water, they have to contract in cold water. This tightens them. Therefore, Kneipp bath are not only recommended for prophylaxis.

Leech therapy

This form of therapy noticeably relieves the strain on the veins, as the leeches release substances with their saliva that have a decongestant effect. They also accelerate the lymph flow. This significantly reduces thick bulges in the veins, so that the varicose veins become smaller and the vessel walls become more stable again.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a very individual form of naturopathic treatment, so you should not choose the globules that are right for you on your own, but rather ask an experienced homeopath for advice so that he or she can prescribe the optimal homeopathic remedy for you.

Enzyme therapy

Enzymes improve the flow properties of the blood, which improves the blood flow to all vessels. Enzymes also have anti-inflammatory properties, are able to dissolve blood clots and strengthen the vessels. In order to achieve optimal results, it is important to take the most suitable enzymes for this purpose in the correct dosage during enzyme therapy. It is therefore best to consult a naturopathic therapist here too.

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