Varicose veins are large veins that appear gnarled or twisted. They are caused when the veins that return blood to the heart are no longer able to do their job effectively, which results in the blood pooling within the veins. Improved circulation will help improve their appearance, and the painful symptoms that can often occur with them. There are numerous herbal remedies reported to help improve circulation and varicose veins.
Gotu Kola
Gotu kola is an herb that is native to tropical regions, and has been used for thousands of years to treat conditions from asthma to skin problems. The Women's Heart Foundation reports that gotu kola is also used to treat venous insufficiency, which is another term for the inability of the veins in the legs to get blood back to the heart, which can in turn lead to varicose veins. Gotu kola is said to help with varicose veins by maintaining healthy blood vessels and tissues. Gotu kola is available as a tea or a liquid extract. Speak to your physician before taking gotu kola, as it can interfere with medications you may be taking.
Horse Chestnut
Horse chestnut is another herb that is known for its benefits to the circulatory system and varicose veins. According to Herbs2000, an online herbal encyclopedia, horse chestnut improves blood flow as well as the muscular tissue of the veins. The veins need good muscle tone and elasticity in order to pump the blood back to the heart. The National Institutes of Health reports a study that suggests horse chestnut be used in combination with compression stockings to help with vein function. To treat varicose veins, horse chestnut is available as a topical cream, which you can buy at a health food store. Do not use horse chestnut without first consulting your physician, especially if you are on any type of medication.
Butcher's Broom
Butcher's broom is a powerful anti-inflammatory herb that also is used to treat venous insufficiency. A report from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states that an extract from the root of butcher's broom is used as a treatment for varicose veins, and it works by stimulating the cells of the vein's muscle wall, which causes constriction. The constriction helps pump the blood back to the heart, which keeps it from pooling up and causing varicose veins. Butcher's broom is available in a topical ointment or as a dietary supplement, and as with any herb, speak to your physician before using it.
