Top Home Remedies for Varicose Veins to Relieve Leg Discomfort
Varicose veins, a common health condition, are characterized by prominent and swollen veins on the legs and feet. Varicose veins have a bulgy, lumpy, or twisted appearance in a bluish or purplish colour. Sometimes, it is associated with slight pain or discomfort.
This medical condition occurs as you age, don’t follow an active lifestyle, have a family history of varicose veins, are pregnant, or are obese. Varicose veins are called spider veins, as they are noticeable. Though it is not possible to cure varicose veins with home remedies, following them might help lower the symptoms.
Can Varicose Veins Be Cured Without Surgery?
Varicose veins cause the vein branches to become dilated near the top layer of your skin. Reversing the dilated vein is impossible, which is why there is no cure for varicose veins without surgery. However, you can opt for the latest varicose veins treatment without surgery to prevent your varicose veins from becoming worse. By following a few lifestyle changes and remedies for varicose veins, you can prevent the affected veins from progressing to a bigger size, which might demand surgical intervention.
Sclerotherapy
If your varicose veins have smaller bulges, then your physician might suggest this minimally invasive procedure. During this procedure, a foaming agent or a liquid is injected into the affected vein directly to make it collapse and get reabsorbed to relieve pain or discomfort. When the affected vein fades off with time, the blood flow is rerouted to other veins. This procedure requires just 15 minutes to an hour, based on the vein condition, and has very little downtime. It is a versatile treatment used to cure varicose veins ranging from mild to moderate conditions and enhance its appearance on your feet, calves, and thighs.
Laser Therapy
This procedure is ideal for treating moderate or mild varicose veins where the physician will make use of a catheter to focus laser light pulses inside the problematic vein. The heat energy of the laser beam will cauterize and shut off the vein while the blood flow will be rerouted to the healthy veins near it. This procedure will not leave any scars or require any downtime. Your physician would suggest you wear compression stockings for a couple of weeks as a cure for varicose veins.
Radiofrequency Ablation
This minimally invasive procedure is performed with a catheter to deliver radio waves to the problematic vein to heat and seal it shut. This procedure takes just an hour to complete and has very few side effects. If you need relief from enlarged veins that have accumulated blood or face moderate to mild varicose veins, then radiofrequency ablation is an apt choice.
Simple Home Remedies for Varicose Veins
Sometimes, home remedies for varicose veins will be beneficial to get relief from pain and discomfort caused by swollen feet and legs or delay the onset of this condition. If you wish to opt for varicose veins treatment without surgery, these home remedies will help ease symptoms like pain or discomfort.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the top remedies for varicose veins, as it has cleansing properties that enhance blood circulation rates. The malic acid in it induces regular blood flow, which, in turn, lowers the swelling and heaviness of the affected veins to a great extent. You can use Apple Cider Vinegar in undiluted form to apply on the affected area and perform a gentle massage on the swollen vein. Continue this twice a day for a few months to lower discomfort and swelling. You can also try drinking a mixture of two teaspoons of ACV with one glass of water at room temperature. Stir well and consume it two times a day to get positive results.
2. Extract of Horse Chestnut
This herb is among the best home remedies for varicose veins, as it contains an active ingredient called aescin. It enhances your veins’ elastic strength and restricts the release of enzymes to prevent damage to capillary walls. A 2006 study showed that consuming horse chestnut extract orally helped lower the inflammation and pain in the leg[1]. You can also apply readymade horse chestnut gel on the affected vein two times per day to bring down swelling and pain. You can also consult your physician before taking horse chestnut extract in supplement form, as the dosage must not exceed 300 mg twice a day.
3. Butcher’s Broom
This herbal plant is also called Knee Holly, as it has an effective constituent known as ruscogenins to enhance collagen within the walls of blood vessels and promote blood circulation. You can make a concoction by steeping this herb in water or applying a solution of Butcher’s broom on the affected part of your leg using a cotton ball.
4. Grape Seed Extract
Grape seeds are rich in antioxidants like proanthocyanidins that prevent the formation of blood clots in your veins and aid in blood circulation. Consuming grape seed extract orally will help in easing the symptoms of varicose veins like swelling and pain. You can also take a grape seed extract supplement or use it for topical application on the vein for about 4 to 6 months.
5. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is one of the best home remedies for varicose veins as it plays a vital role in strengthening the blood vessels and lowering their symptoms effectively. It is an astringent that also possesses essential oils and gallic acid to lower discomfort, pain, and inflammation. Use a washcloth soaked in a solution of witch hazel and dab on the affected vein thrice a day for a couple of months. You can also soak your affected leg in a tub filled with a mixture of witch hazel extract and warm water for 20 minutes and pat dry for two months.
When Should You Consult a Doctor?
If you don’t see any visible improvements even after following the remedies for varicose veins for one or two months or experience pain or inflammation, then it’s time to consult your physician immediately. You must seek an appointment with your doctor immediately if you have a venous ulcer, itchiness, bleeding, or tenderness in your leg.
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