Alternative Medicine

Western Herbal Treatment Of Varicose Veins

Posted by admin on September 10, 2011 in Other with No Comments


Herbal medicine can be used to strengthen vein walls, reduce fluid leakage resulting from varicose veins and improve venous circulation to and through the liver. When prescribing, practitioners take into account the health of the affected veins and the cardiovascular system as a whole. They assess your weight, speed of healing and tissue repair, and liver function. Treatment generally needs to be continued for a long time.

For example, you may need to take butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus) and apply a remedy, such as witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) water, to the affected leg for a minimum of six months.

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is the herb of choice for chronic venous insufficiency, a different and more serious condition than varicose veins and which is associated with swollen, discolored legs. It contains a complex mix of saponins and other active constituents.

Many clinical trials confirm its ability to strengthen and tone the walls of veins, reduce swelling (edema) and fluid leakage from incompetent veins, and decrease the permeability of the capillaries. Horse chestnut extract also reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Clinical trials endorse the extract’s use in the treatment of varicose veins during pregnancy, and in the treatment and relief of hemorrhoids, which have similar causes to varicose veins.

Other Remedies include butcher’s broom, which is an anti-inflammatory with strong clinical evidence for use in chronic venous insufficiency and increased vascular permeability. Though poorly researched, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a traditional herb that can widen blood vessels, stimulate tissue healing and provide a tonic for veins. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a powerful antioxidant and capillary tonic.

External Treatments include aloe Vera (Aloe Vera) juice to promote tissue repair, witch hazel for its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, and butcher’s broom extract.
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Hydrotherapy

Exercise with hydrotherapy appears to help varicose veins. A Swiss study showed that thermal hydrotherapy (balneokinesis) with sulphurous water and elastic compression of the legs reduces pain and leg swelling. Italian hydrotherapy research examined the effect of spa treatment on 2,504 patients with primary or secondary varicose veins.

For 15-20 days, the patients were treated under water with active and passive physical therapy using mineral waters. As many as half the patients returned to the spa a year later for the same treatment. The researchers concluded that “The occurrence of acute venous episodes, working days missed, number and duration of hospital admissions, consumption of drugs and physical therapies were all significantly reduced in the year after thermal therapy.”

Self-Help

The following measures may prevent varicose veins from appearing or worsening and may help to relieve aching and discomfort:

*Lose weight if necessary.
*Avoid standing for long periods.
*Take regular daily walks.
*Keep your legs elevated above your hips while you are sitting.
*Avoid crossing your legs.
*Avoid clothes that constrict the circulation in your legs.

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