Varicose leg veins are due to poor circulation and a loss of elasticity in the tiny valves that normally prevent blood from pooling. This disorder can occur with age, during pregnancy or from uterine or ovarian fibroids. You may experience heaviness in your legs, muscle cramps and itching around the swollen veins and your veins may turn dark purple or blue. Wearing compression stockings may help alleviate the problem, but your doctor may also advise surgery or other treatments. Herbs may be a helpful first step towards relieving the swelling and pain of varicose veins. Consult a qualified health care practitioner before starting herbal therapy.
Herbal Actions
Herbs for varicose veins include circulatory stimulants, vascular tonics, anti-inflammatories and astringents. These herbs contain chemicals such as alkaloids and flavonoids that may help vein tissue heal and regain elasticity, allowing proper circulation and preventing blood from pooling in your legs. You can use herbs as teas, tinctures, extracts and lotions, but check with a knowledgeable practitioner for instructions about dosage and how long to use these herbs.
Horse Chestnut
Horse chestnut, or Aesculus hippocastanum, is a deciduous tree native to Europe and parts of Asia. The seeds are a venotonic, meaning they tighten vein tissue, and have anti-inflammatory actions, and herbalists traditionally use them to treat varicose veins, ulcers and hemorrhoids. In their 2000 book, "The Herbal Drugstore," Dr. Linda B. White and medicinal plant expert Steven Foster recommend applying a topical horse chestnut lotion to your veins, or drinking a liquid extract. Do not use the crude herb, since it may be toxic; only use commercially prepared products, and only after consulting your doctor.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel, or Hamamelis virginiana, is a small tree that grown throughout North America. Herbalists use the leaves, bark and branches as an astringent and anti-inflammatory for treating varicose veins, wounds and hemorrhoids. In his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," clinical herbalist David Hoffmann advises combining witch hazel with horse chestnut and comfrey tinctures in a lotion base and applying it as needed to relieve symptoms. Ingesting witch hazel may cause stomach upset or liver problems. Check with your doctor before using witch hazel.
Prickly Ash
Prickly ash, or Zanthoxylum americanum, is a tall shrub with bright red berries, native to North America. The bark and berries contain alkaloids, tannins, resin and volatile oil, and the plant venous stimulant and tonic actions. Herbalist David Hoffmann states that prickly ash can be used for any condition involving poor circulation, including varicose veins and leg ulcers. You can use this herb as a tea or tincture, or add it to a liniment base and apply it topically. Avoid using this herb internally if you have gastrointestinal problems or if you are taking anticoagulant drugs. Check with your doctor before using prickly ash.
References
- "The Herbal Drugstore"; Linda B. White, M.D., Steven Foster; 2000
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
