Spider veins are small, visible, branch-like veins close to the surface of your skin. They often appear on your legs and face, especially around your nose. They are due to hormonal changes, injury, sun exposure and blood pooling. You may not experience any serious symptoms with spider veins, but they can cause mild pain, itching or burning. Herbal teas will help eliminate spider veins and their symptoms naturally. Consult your healthcare provider before starting herbal treatment.
Herbal Actions
Herbal teas for spider veins have diverse actions. Circulatory tonics will help strengthen veins and improve circulation. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant herbs will protect blood vessel walls from free radical damage and leaking. Hormonal normalizers will help prevent hormone fluctuations that can weaken veins and cause spider veins. Contact a competent practitioner for advice about dosage and preparation of herbal teas for spider veins.
Horse Chestnut
Horse chestnut, or Aesculus hippocastanum, is a tall deciduous tree found throughout eastern Europe and central Asia. Herbalists use the seeds to treat varicose and spider veins, and venous insufficiency in the legs. The seeds, which are rich in saponins and tannins, have anti-inflammatory and circulatory actions. In his 2003 book, “Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine,” clinical herbalist David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG, explains that the seeds increase the elasticity and tone of leg veins and reduce vein permeability, which can lead to blood pooling. In their 2001 book, “Herbal Remedies,” naturopathic doctors Asa Hershoff and Andrea Rotelli state that the herb will reduce itching and pain, which are associated with spider veins. Do not combine this herb with anticoagulants as it may enhance their action.
Bilberry
Bilberry, or Vaccinium myrtillus, is a shrub with edible purple-blue berries. Traditional healers use the berries and leaves to treat diarrhea, mouth and throat inflammations, diabetes, poor circulation and eye problems. The plant is rich in tannins, proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and phenolic acids, and has potent antioxidant properties. Bilberry can help prevent and reduce spider veins. Naturopathic doctors Asa Hershoff and Andrea Rotelli note that it improves circulation, strengthens blood vessels, and protects veins from free radical damage. Bilberry may lower blood sugar, so get clearance from a doctor before using it if you are diabetic.
Chaste Tree
Chaste tree, or Vitex agnus-castus, is a small shrub found throughout the Mediterranean. Herbalists use the berries to treat gynecological problems, such as PMS, menstrual irregularities and menopause. Fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone can weaken your veins’ walls and valves, leading to spider veins. Herbalist David Hoffmann notes that chaste tree acts on your pituitary gland to restore balance to your hormone levels. If your spider veins are due to hormonal causes, this herb may help eliminate them. Do not use during pregnancy or if you are taking oral contraceptives.
References
- “Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine”; David Hoffmann; 2003
- “Herbal Remedies”; Asa Hershoff, N.D., and Andrea Rotelli, N.D.; 2001
