Home Remedy Treatments for Dealing With

Varicose Veins
by Editors of Consumer Guide

The circulatory system could be compared to a big city's freeways, where the streaming cars, in this case
the frenetic blood cells, are delivering oxygen and nutrients to every part of the body. The pumping heart
maintains the pulse of the "traffic" by pushing the blood cells through the arteries to their organ and cell
destinations.

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On the cells' return trip to the heart and lungs, the flow of traffic is About 25 percent of women are
not always quite so smooth, and congestion can take a toll on the affected
roadway of veins. For one thing, the pressure, caused by the by varicose veins; about 10 percent
of
pumping heart, that keeps the blood moving is decreased. For men will suffer from this problem.
another, the veins below the heart, in the legs and torso, must work
against gravity, as the blood makes its way up from the feet.

So these vessels depend more on the leg muscles to help pump the blood back to the heart. The veins
also contain special one-way valves that aid the return of blood to the heart and lungs. The valves work
like locks in a canal. As blood flows through a valve, its "doors" slam shut so the blood can't flow
backward.

When any one of these valves fails, blood can seep back down and begin to pool, often in the lower legs.
The extra pressure from the increased volume of pooling blood can, over time, cause additional valves to
fail. Eventually, the pressure from the pooling blood can cause the vein's walls to bulge and become
misshapen. At this point, the vein may show through the skin surface, looking knotty, bumpy, and gnarled
and taking on a dark blue or purple hue.

The swollen and twisted -- or varicose -- veins can be more than a cosmetic problem, however. They may
also cause aching, throbbing, or burning pain; a feeling of heaviness in the lower leg; swelling around the
ankles; and even itchiness, all of which tend to be more pronounced after prolonged sitting or standing. In
some cases, varicose veins may signal a more serious underlying problem with circulation or can be
associated with potentially serious blood clots. And if varicose veins are accompanied by ulcers of the
skin near the ankle or sudden swelling of the leg, they require immediate medical attention.

It's estimated that 25 percent of all women and 10 percent of all men are affected by varicose veins. And
there are medical and surgical treatments available to deflate or remove them. But there are also home
remedies to prevent or, at the very least, postpone, their development; decrease their severity; and ease
some of the discomfort they can cause. See the next section to find out how.

In addition to being unsightly, varicose veins can be quite painful. Follow the home remedies below to
help postpone their development or ease any discomfort.
Check your family tree. This vascular problem runs in families, although the reason is unknown. Some
experts believe there is a weakness in the gene that governs the development of the veins. This may lead
to defects in the structure of valves and veins or, in some people, a decrease in the number of valves in
the veins, causing the few that are there to get overloaded in their duties. If you do find a history of
varicose veins in your family, the sooner you follow preventive home remedies the better.

Get moving. While exercise may not prevent varicose veins, doctors agree that physical activity can
lessen the symptoms by improving circulation, which prevents blood from pooling. As working muscles in
the lower limbs contract, they push blood through the veins, back to the heart.

2007 Publications International, Ltd.

Eating a balanced diet and keeping
your weight down can help
ease the pain of varicose veins.
To get your legs moving, almost any exercise that involves the legs will do, from aerobics to strengthening
to spot-toning activities, say the experts. Ride a bike, take an aerobics class, go for a walk or a run, use
the stair machine in the gym or climb the stairs at work during your lunch hour -- these are all good
exercises for the legs. Spot-toning exercises, such as leg raises, that specifically build up the muscles in
the buttocks, thighs, and lower legs are also recommended.

Lose weight. Not only does obesity tax just about every system in the body, but carrying around extra
baggage makes most people less active, which means their leg muscles do less work. As a result,
overweight people usually can't pump blood from their lower limbs back to the heart efficiently. In addition,
an overweight person's blood vessels carry more blood than a thinner person's, so the strain is greater on
the vessels themselves.

Eat a balanced diet. Besides helping you maintain proper weight, a balanced diet can give you nutrients
that may actually help prevent varicose veins.
For example, protein and vitamin C are both components of collagen, part of the tissue in the veins and
valves. If the collagen is in good shape, the tissues are likely to be more resilient.
A balanced diet that includes a wide variety of foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains,
and lean sources of protein, is the best way to get the right amounts of valuable nutrients. However, while
a healthy diet can strengthen your vascular system, it can't cure varicose veins.

Take a break from standing. When you're standing in one place, the blood in your leg veins must not
only make a long uphill journey against the force of gravity, it has to do so without the pumping assistance
that expanding-and-contracting leg muscles can provide. (It's a little like trying to get up a creek without a
paddle!) As a result, the blood tends to pool in the lower legs, leading to the development of varicose
veins.
If possible, take frequent breaks to walk around or, preferably, to sit with your feet up. And while you're
standing in one spot, shift your weight from one leg to the other and/or occasionally get up on tiptoes; it
will engage your leg muscles in the task of pushing blood up toward your heart.

Prop up your legs. Putting your feet up is good, but elevating them above the level of your heart is even
better. It's a way to use gravity to help the blood move from your feet and ankles back to your heart.
Doctors have been recommending elevation to relieve leg pain and swelling for centuries. As a matter of
fact, Hippocrates in ancient Greece wrote of its benefits.

So lie down on a couch and prop your feet on the arm or put three or four pillows under them (or lie on the
floor and rest your feet on the seat of a chair). Can't lie down? Sit on one chair and prop your feet on the
back of another chair. When possible, try to elevate your legs for ten minutes once an hour.

But don't sit too long, either. Some experts theorize that even sitting for extended periods can
contribute to varicose veins. Bent knees and hips, the thinking goes, complicate and slow the return of
blood to your heart. So it's very important that on a long car or plane ride or during a day of sitting at the
office (or at home, for that matter) you get up and stretch your legs once in a while. When you need a
break, try this rejuvenator: Stand on your toes and flex the heel up and down ten times.

Don't be crossed. Sitting with your legs crossed can slow circulation to and from your lower legs.

Check your seat. The same can happen if you sit in a chair with a seat that is too deep for your leg
length: The front edge of the chair digs into the back of your knees, compressing blood vessels and
restricting blood flow. Get a chair that fits your body better, or, if that's not possible, scoot your backside
away from the chair's back until the pressure on your legs is relieved.

Flex your feet. Contracting the muscles in your feet may help force blood upward and out of the veins.
While seated -- and even while your legs are elevated -- try these three exercises to really get the blood
pumping out of your feet and back to your heart:

The Ankle Pump: Flex your foot up and down as you would when you pump a piano pedal or
gas pedal.

Ankle Circles: Rotate your feet clockwise and counterclockwise.

Heel Slips: With your knees bent, slide your heels back and forth.

Sleep with elevated feet. For those with chronic swelling in the lower legs, it may help put a few pillows
under your feet while you are sleeping.

Lower your heels. Shoes with lower heels require your calf muscles to do more work -- a plus for better
circulation -- than high-heeled shoes.

Wear tennis shoes. If your feet habitually swell, it may be worthwhile to wear tennis shoes or other lace-
up shoes that can be opened up or loosened to alleviate the pressure and allow for freer circulation.

Loosen up. Your clothing, that is. Stay away from pants or other clothing that are tight at the waist or
groin; they can act almost as tourniquets that restrict blood flow at these important circulation points.

Consider "stocking" up on support. Ask your pharmacist or doctor about special compression
stockings designed to improve circulation in the legs. How do they work? They apply more pressure to the
lower legs than to the thigh area. Since more pressure is exerted on the lower legs, blood is more readily
pushed up toward the heart.

The stockings' compression on the legs is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and ranges from
20 mm Hg for weaker support to 60 mm Hg for strong support. (In comparison, the support hose you can
buy at any department store provide pressure of 14 to 17 mm Hg.) The stronger versions require a
doctor's prescription. The lower-strength stockings are sometimes recommended for pregnant women.

2007 Publications International, Ltd.

Women often develop varicose veins during pregnancy;
most subside after the baby is born.

These days, compression stockings come in a variety of styles -- below the knee, midthigh, full thigh, and
waist high -- and an increasing variety of colors as well as different strengths. A possible downside: The
stronger stockings have a tendency to feel hot. They can also be relatively expensive, although you
should check with your insurer to see if any or all of their cost is covered.

The stockings are available in most pharmacy and medical-supply stores as well as through mail order
and Web sites. It's important that the stockings fit properly, however, so you may want to ask your
pharmacist for assistance with measuring.

Slip into spandex pants. Like nonprescription, store-bought support hose, pants made from this elastic
material apply pressure to the legs and may help somewhat. Be sure, however, that they aren't so tight in
the groin or waist that they cut into your skin and limit circulation.

Cover up the blues. If you've stopped wearing shorts or going to the beach because you're embarrassed
about your varicose veins, make them "disappear." There are products specially made to cover the blue
vein lines that make you want to take cover.

Available in a variety of shades to match your skin, the cream is applied by hand and blended. Leg Magic
by Covermark Cosmetics is waterproof and even has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 16 to protect your
legs from the sun's harmful rays. Wearing stockings over the cream won't make it fade or rub off, and you
can even go for a swim without washing away all your cover.

While these types of products obviously won't fix the veins and relieve physical discomfort, they can make
you feel better about the way your legs look.

Consider the effects of estrogen. The hormone is generally believed to have a detrimental effect on the
collagen and connective tissue of the veins. If you have varicose veins or have a strong family history of
them and you are considering oral contraceptive or hormone replacement therapy, you may want to
specifically ask about this potential side effect when you discuss the pros and cons of such therapy with
your doctor. While estrogen probably doesn't have a direct effect on varicose veins, the hormone can
increase the risk of embolisms, or blood clots, which interfere with blood circulation.

Since genetics plays a large part in whether or not you get varicose veins, there's not a whole lot you can
do to avoid them. But by following the home remedies in this article, you may be able to hold them off for
a bit and ease some of the discomfort when they do appear.

Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic Staf
There are some self-care measures you can take to decrease the discomfort that varicose veins
can cause. These same measures can help prevent or slow the development of varicose veins, as
well. They include:

Exercise. Get moving. Walking is a great way to encourage blood circulation

in your legs. Your doctor can recommend an appropriate activity level for you.

Watch your weight, and your diet. Shedding excess pounds takes
unnecessary pressure of your veins. What you eat can help, too. Follow a
low-salt diet to prevent swelling caused from water retention.

Watch what you wear. Avoid high heels. Low-heeled shoes work calf
muscles more, which is better for your veins. Don't wear tight clothes around
your waist, legs or groin. Tight panty-leg girdles, for instance, can cut of
blood flow.

Elevate your legs. To improve the circulation in your legs, take several short
breaks daily to elevate your legs above the level of your heart. For example,
lie down with your legs resting on three or four pillows.

Avoid long periods of sitting or standing. Make a point of changing your

position frequently to encourage blood flow. Try to move around at least
every 30 minutes or so.

Don't sit with your legs crossed. Some doctors believe this position can
increase circulation problems.

Horse chestnut seed extract may be an efective treatment for chronic venous
insufficiency, a condition associated with varicose veins in which leg veins have
problems returning blood to the heart. The herb may help improve swelling and
discomfort caused by varicose veins. Talk with your doctor before trying horse
chestnut seed extract or any other herb or dietary supplement to make sure these
products won't interfere with any medications.

Prevention
By Mayo Clinic Staf

There's no way to completely prevent varicose veins. But improving your circulation and muscle
tone can reduce your risk of developing varicose veins or getting additional ones. The same
measures you can take to treat the discomfort from varicose veins at home can help prevent
varicose veins, including:

Exercising

Watching your weight

 Eating a high-fiber, low-salt diet

Avoiding high heels and tight hosiery

Elevating your legs

Changing your sitting or standing position regularly

icose veins are abnormally enlarged veins that appear close to the skins surface. They
occur usually in the calves and thighs and is the result of malfunctioning valves inside
the veins as prolonged pressure or obstruction of the veins. There many home remedies
varicose veins in our site, please check them out.

Varicose veins can develop in people from standing or sitting for long
periods of time, poor exercise, pregnancy, excessive weight, prolonged
constipation, people who habitually sit with their legs crossed. Also
heavy lifting put increased pressure on legs increasing the likelihood of
developing varicose veins. Support stockings and socks can help to
treat and prevent varicose veins.Heart failure, liver disease, and
abdominal tumors can contribute in the formation of varicose veins.
Heredity is also a factor for many individuals. A deficiency of Vitamin C
and bioflavonoids can weaken the collagen structure in the vein walls,
which can lead to varicose veins.

Varicose veins are very common and affect approximately 10% of the
population. More women than men are affected. In some cases if
varicose veins are not treated properly, some complications can
emerge. The characteristics more common are: swelling, restlessness,
leg sores, itching, leg cramps, feeling ofheaviness in the legs and
fatigue.

Home Remedies Varicose Veins We recommend

Home Remedies Varicose Veins #1: Eat a balanced diet that
includes plenty of fish and fresh fruits and vegetables. The diet also
has to be low in fat and carbohydrates.

Home Remedies Varicose Veins #2: Eat as many blackberries and

 cherries as you can. They help to prevent varicose veins, and if you
have them they may ease the symptoms.

Home Remedies Varicose Veins #3:Including ginger, onions, garlic

and pineapple in your diet is beneficial.

Home Remedies Varicose Veins #4: Your diet has to be high in

fiber to prevent constipation and keep the bowels clean.

Home Remedies Varicose Veins #5:Avoid as much as possible

sugar, ice cream, fried foods, peanuts, junk foods, cheeses, tobacco,
salt, alcohol, animal protein, and processed and refined foods.

Home Remedies Varicose Veins #6: Do a daily routine of exercise.

Walking, swimming and bicycling all promote good circulation. It is
very important that in complement maintain a healthy weight.

Home Remedies Varicose Veins #7: Do not wear tight clothes

because they restrict blood flow. The only exception is when wearing medical
compression stockings from reputable manufacturers.

Home Remedies for Varicose Veins #8: At least once a day elevate
your legs above the heart level for 20 to alleviate symptoms.

Home Remedies for Varicose Veins #9:Avoid standing or sitting for

long periods of time, crossing your legs doing heavy lifting and putting
any unnecessary pressure on your legs.

Home Remedies for Varicose Veins #10: If you at work are sitting
on a desk all day, make sure you take breaks to walk around. you can
also flex your muscles and wiggle your toes to increase blood flow. If it
is possible try to rest your feet on an object that is elevated from the
floor when seated.

Home Remedies for Varicose Veins #11: If you at work have to

stand for long period of time, shift your weight between your feet,
stand on your toes, or take breaks to walk around to alleviate
pressure.
 Home Remedies for Varicose Veins #12:Elevate your feet at all
moment at home while watching TV or sitting down to read.

Home Remedies for Varicose Veins #13: To ease pain and

stimulate circulation, fill a tub with cold water and simulate waking.

Home Remedies for Varicose Veins #14:Avoid scratching the itchy

skin above varicose veins. This can cause ulceration and bleeding.

Home Remedies for Varicose Veins #15:After bathing apply Castor

oil over the varicose veins affected and massage into your legs from
the the feet.

Causes: Obesity, menopause, habit of wearing tight clothes, pregnancy, age, constipation,
smoking, poor diet, hormonal changes, lack of exercise, poor blood circulation.

Symptoms: Swelling on the ankles, purplish skin, pain, burning sensation, itching,
painfully tense legs, swollen legs particularly at night. If the Varicose Veins are not
treated in a proper way, it can lead to serious health problems such as thrombosis, open
wounds etc. There are many home Remedies and herbs which are efficacious in relieving
the problems of Varicose veins. Hence let us discuss about these.

Home remedies for Varicose veins -

After every bath, apply home grade castor-oil over the varicose veins.

Eat blackberries and cherries.

Take a diet rich in fiber, so that it will keep the bowels clean.

Apply apple cider vinegar on varicose veins.

Warm water enema is also advisable.

B Complex group of vitamins help to treat varicose veins, so include the same in your
diet.

Vit E helps to tone up overall circulation, so it is also useful in varicose veins.

Gentle Massage on the affected area with rosemary oil is beneficial.

 Grape Seed extract has an antioxidant activity and it strengthens the connective tissues
and helps to reduce inflammation.

Exercises like walking, swimming and bicycling are advisable.

Do not wear tight clothes as they restrict blood flow.

Avoid ice-cream, fried foods, peanuts, alcohol, and excessive intake of salt, processed
and refined foods.

Pineapple juice is advisable as it keeps the veins healthy.

Mix two parts of spinach juice and 3 parts of carrot juice. Drink it once a day.

Rutin (a glycoside found in Buckwheat), may be useful in Varicose veins. But more
research is required on this.

Red vine leaf extract- The clinical trials conducted show that red- vine-leaf has a
beneficial effect as it reduces swelling, pain and leg heaviness.

Horse chestnut- The active constituent of this herb is aescin, which appears to block the
release of enzymes which damage the capillary walls. It helps to diminish varicose veins
by stabilizing the capillary endothelium and by improving the tone of the veins by
reducing the permeability of capillaries through veins. It is a natural blood thinner.

Pine bark extract is also beneficial. People who are suffering with Rheumatoid arthritis
or have multiple sclerosis should not take grape seed extract and pine bark extract.

Butchers broom or Ruscus acuteatus - It strengthens collagen in the blood vessel wall
and helps to improve circulation

Gotu kola is effective in varicose veins.

Avoid standing or sitting for a long period.

Some research has been done on the effect of copper on veins by Dr.Klevay M.D. of the
U.S. Department of agriculture, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research center in North
Dakota. It says that it is quite possible that the strength of veins depends upon adequate
copper levels. That is why people with varicose veins, should make sure that they are
getting adequate amount of this trace mineral says Dr.Klevay. The daily value of copper
in-take is 2 milligrams. Whole grains, nuts and seeds along with shellfish, lean red meat
should be included in the diet Recommends Dr. Klevay. Ref: Guidetohealth.com.
Herbal Treatment of Varicose Veins

The indigenous Indian herb, brahmi, is considered as the best ayurvedic

medicine for varicose veins. Take 2-3 teaspoon of the extract of Brahmi with a
pinch of Jasad bhasma.

Garlic is also an efective medicine for treating varicose veins. It increases the
protein supply to the lower limb region and eases the blood clot and
normalise the blood circulation.

Like garlic, ginger too breaks down and distributes the protein in the body.

Eat a medium size uncooked onion daily, it may solve the problem
permanently, as it gives inner strength and helps in the properly assimilating
and distributing of protein in the body.

Consume a mixture of carrot and spinach juice daily. This will solve the
deficiency of vitamins in the leg.

Apply a mudpack on the leg in the night and wash it of in the morning.

Externally apply the fish oil over the afected parts. Remember, coat in gently
not too deep into the legs.