Spider veins are like varicose veins but are smaller and are often closer to the surface of the skin than varicose veins. They look like tree branches or spiderwebs that are short and jagged. A variety of home remedies are available to treat spider veins. There is no scientific evidence, however, to support their effectiveness.
Vitamin C & Nutritional Choices
Putting fruits such as blueberries and raspberries into your cereal can help reduce spider veins. Blueberries and raspberries provide a natural compound called bioflavonoid, which strengthens the blood vessels. Bioflavonoid works with vitamin C to help the body make capillaries less fragile, according to the website Mother Nature. Vitamin C can be found in foods such as citrus fruits and juices. The darker the fruit, the more bioflavonoid it has.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is one of the best-selling herbal medications in the United States. When it comes to spider veins, gingko biloba can strengthen the tissues that make up the vein walls, according to Mother Nature. It is also high in bioflavonoid. The University of Maryland Medical Center advises that ginkgo, like all other herbs, can have side effects. It's best to speak with a health-care professional before taking any herbal medication.
Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel is a plant with a long history of use in the Americas, according to Drugs.com. James A. Duke writes in "Green Pharmacy" that witch hazel can assist in treating spider veins. Soak a cotton ball with witch hazel and apply to the affected area.
References
- MotherNature: Varicose Veins and Spider Veins
- InteliHealth: Spider Veins
- Drugs.com: Witch Hazel
- The Green Pharmacy: James A. Duke; 1998
- UMM: Ginkgo biloba
