The network of veins throughout your body is responsible for returning blood back to the heart and lungs to be re-oxygenated and sent back out to supply oxygen-hungry cells. Normally, the contraction of your leg muscles, combined with a system of valves within the veins, keeps blood flowing against gravity toward the heart. When this built-in mechanism fails -- a condition known as venous insufficiency -- blood can pool in the legs. A variety of herbs offer potential benefits for symptoms of venous insufficiency. Consult your doctor before using herbs to treat a medical condition.
Horse Chestnut
Horse chestnut, a different species of tree than the sweet chestnut-producing tree, produces a compound called aescin, which has been found useful in treating varicose veins and hemorrhoids, according to Frank Murray, author of the book "100 Super Supplements for a Longer Life." Horse chestnut has reduced lower-leg swelling in patients with venous insufficiency -- a condition in which function of the veins is impaired, resulting in poor return of blood to the heart and pooling of blood and swelling in the legs. Horse chestnut seed extract may, in some cases, offer an effective replacement to compression wraps.
Flavonoids
Antioxidant procyanidin flavonoid compounds improve circulation and have been used with success to speed recovery from surgery, according to Paul Coates, editor of the book "Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements." These antioxidant compounds protect against oxidative damage and promote healthy functioning of the endothelial cells that line blood vessels. In Europe, grape seed extract, which contains high levels of procyanidin flavonoid compounds, is used to treat capillary fragility and venous insufficiency in the legs. Doses of grape seed extract of 150 mg twice per day have reduced symptoms such as heaviness in the legs by as much as 89 percent.
Sweet Orange
Sweet orange, a subtropical tree native to China and India, contains a flavonoid compound called diosmin, that provides vascular protective effects, according to Frank Murray, author of the book "Health Benefits Derived from Sweet Orange: Diosmin Supplements from Citrus." Chronic venous insufficiency; lymphedema, which is the accumulation of lymphatic fluid, usually in the lower legs; and varicose veins, respond well to treatment with diosmin. Diosmin is structurally and functionally different from other major flavonids. Diosmin improves tone of the blood vessel walls, increases lymphatic drainage, protects capillary circulation, inhibits inflammation and reduces capillary fluid leakage. In some cases, diosmin may be more effective than standard drug therapy in the treatment of lower leg vein ulcers.
Diuretic
The herb horsetail, Equisetum arvense, may be useful in reducing swelling and poor circulation in the legs by acting as a diuretic, a substance that promotes the production of urine, according to Rudolf Fritz Weiss, M.D., author of the book "Weiss's Herbal Medicine." A diuretic tea containing equal parts horsetail, juniper berries, spiny restharrow root, lovage root and licorice root is recommended in the German Pharmacopoeia. The Swiss Pharmocopoeia offers a similar remedy and adds parsley -- another notable herbal diuretic.
