Varicose veins occur when your veins do not properly direct blood flow to the heart. Healthy veins return blood to the heart via valves that prevent the blood from flowing backward. If these valves are not functioning well, blood will flow in a contrary motion, placing pressure on the area and causing veins to swell. This condition can be caused by any type of pressure on the blood vessels, such as prolonged standing or lifting or extra weight caused by pregnancy or obesity.
Herbs Used to Reduce Swelling
Herbs have been used throughout the ages to keep the body healthy and to help heal a wide variety of illnesses. The early Greeks and Egyptians used a plethora of specific herbs to enhance circulation and reduce blood pressure and swelling. Herbs rich in flavonoids and other nutrients can reduce inflammation and strengthen blood vessels and valves.
Major Herbs for Varicose Vein Control
Horse chestnut is a popular herbal remedy. According to the German Commission E, which governs herbal research and ratification, the active component in horse chestnut (aescin) helps to counteract inflammation, prevents free radical damage and tones veins.
Gotu Kola is touted as being an excellent herb for enhancing blood flow while increasing the tone in connective tissues. This herb is used to help keep blood vessels supple, which contributes to the overall health of the circulatory system.
Bilberry is another important herb for keeping blood vessels toned and healthy. When combined with gotu kola, it makes an especially strong and effective tonic for relieving the pressure of varicose veins.
Butcher's Broom assists in clearing out arterial debris and strengthening the blood vessel walls. This action additionally affects the valves in a positive way, helping prevent the backward flow of blood that causes pressure and swelling.
Cayenne pepper provides essential nutrients to the veins, arteries and capillaries that are responsible for adjusting blood pressure.
Another Excellent Tonic
Though not an herb, grape seed extract that originated way back in the days of ancient Greece and Egypt and has a reputation for protecting blood vessels. Containing procyanidolic oligomers or PCOs, an element that destroys the free radicals that can damage membrane walls, grape seed extract is touted as a powerful tonic for assuaging circulation problems.
