Do you have unsightly, large, knotty, twisted veins that sit just under the skin of your once smooth legs. Should  you cover them up? Does that make up for the loss of wearing shorts or swimmers without fear or embarrassment? Varicose veins can also ache, swell, cramp, become itchy and generally feel ‘heavy’ and there is always the worry if you bump them, although they are superficial veins they can bleed quite heavily.   As time goes by they can become even more unsightly. In some cases skin rashes or dermatitis may result along with discolouration of skin surface due to the eruption of capillaries. Some complications include phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) skin ulcers, and blood clots. It is important to look after your legs by either preventing or managing the symptoms.

 

 

The veins of your leg carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. The journey is not an easy one as the flow of blood is against gravity. The way blood is pumped back from your legs relies heavily on the muscles contracting to push the blood upward; one-way valves in your veins are designed to stop the backflow. It is when these valves become faulty and the blood flows back through the valves and pools in the superficial veins of your calves that the added pressure on these veins, especially if there is a weakness there causes the veins to become swollen and twisted in appearance.

 

What causes varicose veins? 

 

The health and integrity of your veins are an important consideration in order to avoid varicose veins.  

A healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains will help provide the ground work for healthy veins. Exercise regularly walking, yoga and swimming are all good forms of exercise that have a positive effects on your legs. It’s important/beneficial to keep your weight down. Try to avoid any undue pressure on your legs, if you have a job where you are standing or sitting all day make sure you have sufficient breaks in which you can alternate these positions. Also sit with your legs raised as often as you can. Taking a herbal and nutritional supplement especially designed for vein health will help.

 

 

Wearing support stockings may be very helpful, especially when flying (to help prevent deep vein thrombosis or DVT). If you are concerned about the condition of your varicose veins see a specialist, surgical options are available but should be considered as the last option.

 

Haemorrhoids are also varicose veins. They are caused through constipation, weight gain, pregnancy, pelvic congestion, and poor connective tissue tone. Haemorrhoids can also be treated with the same herb and nutritional supplements as varicose veins in the legs.

 

 

The main herbs that have traditionally been used and may assist in the relief of symptoms such as impaired circulation, pain, heaviness, cramps, tingling and swelling  are Horse chestnut  and Butchers’ broom. Nutritionally Vitamin C and bioflavonoids play a major role in aiding the integrity and health of veins due to their antioxidant properties.

 

Horse chestnut   (Aesculus hippocastanum)

Horse chestnut has traditionally been used as a tonic to the venous system due to its major compound aescin, which is the main active component of this herb; it also contains flavonoids including quercitin. It acts as an anti-inflammatory, anti-oedema and astringent (due to tannin content) and helps decrease capillary permeability and aids the tone of the vein walls. 

 

Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus aculeatus)

The rhizome is the part of the plant that is used therapeutically. Butcher’s broom has a long traditional history for treating venous disorders such as varicose veins. The active ingredient in butcher’s broom is the compound ruscogenins which exhibits anti-inflammatory and vasoconstriction properties. Butcher’s broom works in concert with horse chestnut to assist in relieving the symptoms of varicose veins helping to improve the heavy feelings in the legs, cramps, swelling and pain.

 

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)

Gotu kola plays a significant role in collagen synthesis in the vein wall providing strength, it also stimulates collagen remodelling which contributes to wound healing. This remarkable herb may also help improve microcirculation and tissue oedema.

 

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin essential for the normal functioning of the body. We do not make vitamin C in our bodies so it is essential to obtain it in our diet. It is an important nutrient for helping maintain the structural components of our blood vessels, tendons, ligament, and collagen. Vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant which assists with capillarity integrity.

 

Bioflavonoids (e.g. hesperdin and rutin)

Are a class of water soluble plant pigments which help to increase the bioavailability or efficiency of vitamin C and are believed to act as antioxidants, helping to protect against cellular damage due to free radicals. They help reduce capillary fragility and increase the integrity of the vein walls by increasing muscular tone.  

 

Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet.