Spider veins occur when tiny veins below the skin's surface congregate, resulting in red, blue or purple skin discoloration. Considered a cosmetic problem, spider veins do not require treatment and may eventually disappear on their own. Several herbal remedies can help diminish the appearance of spider veins, however, by strengthening the veins and preventing blood leakage. Always consult your doctor before taking any new herbal supplement, especially if you take prescription medications or suffer from a serious medical condition.
Gotu Kola
Traditionally used for reducing stress and enhancing memory, gotu kola also strengthens the connective tissues and the protective sheath around the veins. Linda B. White, author of "The Herbal Drugstore," recommends taking up to eight 400mg capsules of gotu kola daily to reduce the appearance of spider veins. The herb can also be consumed as a tea or tincture. Steep 1 tsp. dried gotu kola in 1 cup boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes, strain and drink up to 3 cups daily. Alternatively, take 20 to 40 drops gotu kola tincture twice daily to reduce the appearance of spider veins. Do not take gotu kola for more than six weeks at a time without consulting your doctor. Also avoid the herb if you have liver disease or skin cancer, or if you take medications that affect the liver.
Butcher's Broom
Butcher's broom, a small herbaceous shrub often used for treating varicose veins, may also help get rid of spider veins. In her book "Herbal Healing for Women," Rosemary Gladstar suggests taking butcher's broom in capsule or tincture form to prevent and cure spider veins. The herb increases circulation to the lower extremities and is approved by the German Commission E for treating venous insufficiency and varicose veins. Take 100mg encapsulated butcher's broom extract standardized to contain 7mg to 11mg of ruscogenin three times daily, or 12 drops tincture diluted in juice or water three times daily. Do not take butcher's broom if you have high blood pressure.
Bilberry
Bilberry strengthens vein walls by stabilizing the membranes of vein cells and reducing the fragility of blood vessels. Janet Zand, author of "Smarter Medicine for Healthier Skin," recommends taking bilberry extract daily to help reduce spider veins. For best results, choose a product standardized to contain 25 percent anthocyanidins, also known as PCOs. Take 20mg to 40mg three times daily. Do not take bilberry if you currently take pine bark or grape seed extract, as side effects could occur, and do not take for longer than six weeks. Avoid bilberry if you take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or blood thinning medications.
Horse Chestnut
Horse chestnut strengthens weak veins and capillaries that allow blood to pool beneath the skin, a condition that results in spider veins, varicose veins and other circulatory disorders. In his book "The Green Pharmacy," herbalist James A. Duke suggests taking one 250mg horse chestnut supplement standardized to contain 18 to 22 percent aescin twice a day to get rid of spider veins. Other dosage options include taking 1 tsp. liquid horse chestnut extract or 2 tsp. tincture daily. Do not take horse chestnut if you have kidney or liver problems without first consulting your doctor, and do not drink alcohol while taking the herb.
References
- Aetna IntelliHealth: Spider Veins
- "The Herbal Drugstore"; Linda B. White, Steven Foster; 2000
- "Herbal Healing for Women"; Rosemary Gladstar; 1993
- "Smart Medicine for Healthier Living"; Janet Zand, Allan N. Spreen, James B. LaValle; 1999
- "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook"; James A. Duke; 2000
