Vanquish Varicose Veins with these Herbal Remedies

Varicose veins is not only an unsightly problem, it can also be quite painful. Each vein to be found on your legs has its own set of delicate valves. Each of these valves opens to let blood flow up to your heart, and each valve is also made to close so that gravity cannot pull the blood back into your leg.

However, if any of these valves break, the blood will pool in the vein, and the vein develops what is medically referred to as varicosity. In other words, a varicose vein. Varicose veins may come in just about any size. They may range from tiny spider veins to large, bulging veins that can become painful and swollen. Varicose veins can often make your legs feel tired and heavy.

Traditionally, medical doctors have treated varicose veins through the use of prescription compression hose. These hose are notorious for being bulky, expensive, and difficult to put on. The aim of the hose is to relieve the pain caused by varicosity by reducing the amount of fluid that is present in the veins.

Practitioners of natural or alternative medicine believe that varicose veins can be treated much more effectively through natural herbal-based remedies. Many naturopathic doctors believe that natural herbal-based remedies can help enhance the integrity of the wall of most veins, including the valve.

This means that some remedies may even help reverse the varicose vein process. Moreover, most natural medicine practitioners believe, even if natural medicine cannot completely reverse the process of varicosity, it can at least greatly help in relieving the pain associated with varicose veins.

To help create even stronger leg veins, many herbalists and naturopathic doctors recommend taking grape seed extract or pine bark. Both of these natural extracts are rich in anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins, and bioflavonoids. All of these herbs are highly regarded for their ability to strengthen the vein wall.

Most naturopaths recommend taking a daily dose of either of these herbs of 150 to 300 milligrams. Most herbalists recommend continuing this treatment indefinitely in order to prevent the varicosity process from worsening, and to help improve the long-term appearance of already-existing varicose veins.

There is another very easy (and tasty) way of getting enough of these important bioflavonoids. Many kinds of berries, including blackberries, cherries, and blueberries, are rich in anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins. Eat as much of these fruits as possible if you are prone to developing varicose veins.

Another herb that may be helpful in the treatment of varicose veins is horse chestnut. Horse chestnut is thought to help tone veins and slow the process of varicosity by strengthening the elastic fibers in the vein wall. Horse chestnut is believed to be a great venotonic.

Many herbalists and naturopathic doctors recommend taking a 300-milligram capsule of horse chestnut two times a day in order to help control the varicosity process. Butcher's broom is another herb that is recommended to individuals who are prone to developing varicose veins. Butcher’s broom is lauded for its ability to tame inflammation.