Treat Spider Veins in the Legs Naturally

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As 75 percent of people over the age of sixty-five know, veins that have become swollen, raised, and snakelike are called spider veins.

If one or more of the one-way valves in superficial veins no longer functions normally, the blood headed back to the heart can pool or even flow backward. This stretches the vein and makes it impossible for other nearby valves to close properly as well. The vein becomes swollen and kinked, and blood stagnates in the vein. The veins turn purple, dark blue, or cranberry in color.

Spider veins are most common on the thighs, the backs of the calves, the insides of the legs, and the ankles. In addition to being cosmetically displeasing, spider veins often feel heavy, burn, itch, or throb, and the feet and ankles can swell. 

The legs may feel hot and heavy and become sensitive to pressure. Symptoms generally worsen during the day, especially with prolonged standing.
The severity of the appearance of the Spider Veins does not necessarily correspond to the severity of the associated pain and soreness.
People with only a few visible varicosities can suffer from severe pain from them.


Spider veins run in families, and affect women more frequently because of premenstrual or menopausal hormones, birth control pills, and pregnancy. In fact, they occur in 40 percent of pregnant women. Other factors that contribute to spider veins include advancing age, muscular atrophy in the legs, poor circulation, smoking, prolonged bed rest, overweight, lack of exercise, prolonged standing or sitting, tight clothing, high heels, excessive heavy lifting, and chronic constipation.

In addition to being painful and tiring, spider veins can cause other problems. These include blood clots and inflammation in the veins, and bleeding (either under the skin or on the surface) if the distended vein is accidentally cut or bumped.
The presence of many varicosities prevents the delivery of enough nutrients and oxygen to the tissues of the legs and delays removal of wastes from leg tissues. Then the skin around the varicosities may become very thin, discolored, hardened, and prone to ulcers.

Very tiny dilated capillaries, usually on the face, legs, and thighs, are called spider veins. They are typically a red or bluish color and can be short unconnected lines or come together in a "sunburst" pattern or a spiderweblike pattern just under the surface of the skin. They are not an early sign of spider veins and are not a dangerous problem.
Spider veins often run in families, and tend to be more common in women, especially with the hormonal changes of puberty and pregnancy.
Injury to a part of the body or wearing tight hosiery may bring out unwanted spider veins in the involved area. Spider veins also occur on the face in those with fair skin, rosacea, and chronic, unprotected sun exposure.

horse chestnut
Horse-chestnut seed offers perhaps the best herbal relief for the swelling, pain, itching, fatigue, and tenseness associated with varicose and spider veins. Clinical studies show that horse chestnut improves circulation in the legs, decreases inflammation, and strengthens the capillaries and veins. Combine ten parts distilled witch hazel with one part tincture of horse chestnut and apply this mixture externally to the affected areas as needed to help ease discomfort. Look for an extract of horse chestnut that provides a daily dosage of 50 milligrams of aescin, one of the key compounds that strengthens capillary cells and reduces fluid leakage. You can also take 500 milligrams of oral horse chestnut three times a day. It usually takes about 3 months to see benefits, so be patient. Be aware of the side effects of horse chestnut by doing more research.

ginko biloba
The herb ginkgo biloba helps to strengthen the tissues that form vein walls, enhances tissue oxygenation and improves circulation, making it a useful remedy for treating spider veins. In the book "Natural Remedies: Nondrug Healing Strategies That Work Best," the Prevention Health Books Staff recommend taking 40 mg of ginkgo extract three times a day until spider veins disappear. Look for a 50:1 standardized ginkgo extract for the best results, as this type provides the most medicinal benefit.

apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, a common home remedy for varicose veins, may also help to diminish the appearance of spider veins by increasing circulation to the affected area. Apple cider vinegar can be used externally and internally. Externally you can saturate a cloth with apple cider vinegar and apply it as a compress directly to your spider veins. Allow the cloth to remain in place for 15 to 20 minutes, and then remove. Repeat the process once or twice a day for at least one month, or until you can no longer see the veins.

gotu kola
Traditionally used for reducing stress and enhancing memory, gotu kola also strengthens the connective tissues and the protective sheath around the veins. Taking up to eight 400mg capsules of gotu kola daily is recommended to reduce the appearance of spider veins. The herb can also be consumed as a tea or tincture. Steep 1 tsp. dried gotu kola in 1 cup boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes, strain and drink up to 3 cups daily. Alternatively, take 20 to 40 drops gotu kola tincture twice daily to reduce the appearance of spider veins. Do not take gotu kola for more than six weeks at a time without consulting your doctor. Also avoid the herb if you have liver disease or skin cancer, or if you take medications that affect the liver.

bilberry
Bilberry strengthens vein walls by stabilizing the membranes of vein cells and reducing the fragility of blood vessels. You can take bilberry extract daily to help reduce spider veins. For best results, choose a product standardized to contain 25 percent anthocyanidins, also known as PCOs. Take 20mg to 40mg three times daily. Do not take bilberry if you currently take pine bark or grape seed extract, as side effects could occur, and do not take for longer than six weeks. Avoid bilberry if you take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or blood thinning medications.
 

cayenne pepper
cayenne pepper helps to stop the pain in your legs and reduce varicose veins by making the blood flow better. Take the cayenne pepper in powder form rather than capsules.

There are various strengths of cayenne pepper; it is recommended you stick to the highest strength.  This way it is far more beneficial for you.  The lower heat cayenne peppers are less beneficial and known to have contaminants in them.  These are usually labelled 30,000 heat units.

nettle tea
Nettle is full of vitamins (A, C, E, B's and K) with important minerals (magnesium, zinc, many more) and of course, other agents. You can start with one cup a day and then increase to a few cups a day.

grape seed & pine bark
The extract of grape seeds (Vitis vinifera) and pine bark (Pinus maritima) both contain oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs), antioxidants that appear to strengthen the connective tissue structure of blood vessels and reduce inflammation.

Studies suggest that OPCs help people with various veins. Grape seed extract should not be confused with grapefruit seed extract.

People with autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and Crohn's disease, should not take pine back or grapeseed extract unless under a doctor's supervision because of its effects on the immune system. The safety of pine bark and grapeseed extracts have not been established in pregnant or nursing women or children.

Pine bark or grapeseed extracts should not be combined with medications that suppress the immune system or with corticosteroids, unless under medical supervision.

 
dry brushing
Dry skin brushing: There are several benefits from dry skin brushing. Primarily it provides an exercise for your skin as well as the veins and capillaries under the skin. It stimulates growth and repairs tissues by enhancing blood flow to the area. It will also help remove blood that has already leaked from the capillaries and diffuse it into interstitial fluids to facilitate removal.

While these are the general benefits of dry skin brushing when you are suffering from spider veins, you should brush the area carefully and gently using a circular motion finishing with upward motion in the direction of the colon, a number of times in a day. This will sooth your condition and improve the appearance. Spider veins can be kept under check.

massage
Although is recommended that you consult a professional massage therapist, it is quite possible to give yourself this much needed, therapeutic massage.  Just be sure to find yourself a comfortable seat and use a pillow to slightly elevate your legs.  Remember, the important thing is to use a light touch when you are massaging your legs as a form of therapy for spider veins.  The last thing in the world you want to do is compound your problem by rubbing too hard.  Make sure you avoid any veins that may be bulging.  Just gently massage, by beginning at the ankle area and ending in the upper thigh region. A regular routine of about five minutes a day should result in reduced swelling and help to eliminate any throbbing pain you experience from spider veins.  It is extremely important to keep in mind, not every case of spider veins will be the same.  Some cases are more severe and may require additional treatment.  Proper blood circulation is important, so you want to get your blood flowing correctly, however, you don’t want to end up exerting more pressure than necessary. 

other remedies & supplements
Including omega-3, coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, C and vitamin K helps as additional treatment for spider veins. Coenzyme Q10 improves blood circulation as well as tissue oxygenation. Omega-3 improves the elasticity of blood vessels. Vitamin K may help clot the blood that leaks from the veins.

A simply home remedy for spider veins involves weight reduction, then maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle along with limiting sun exposure which is a primary cause of facial spider veins.

Exercise is another home remedy for spider veins. Leg strengthening exercises such as walking or running assist in improved circulation and accompanying vein strength.

Leg elevation is another effective home remedy for spider veins. You should avoid crossing your legs and prevent excessive pressure on your legs.

Avoiding tight fitting clothing while wearing elastic support stockings may be a home remedy for spider veins that assists in a comprehensive circulation strategy. Simple dietary changes as well as a nutritional supplement plan will further enhance resistance to the future spread of spider veins.
 

products to buy
If you want to try some ready made products, here are a few that I recommend: Derma-e sells a vein creme made with horse chestnut and grape seed extract. Some of the reviews are pretty impressive. The link brings you to the 2 pack but feel free to find the one pack option. For a better price there is a horse chestnut cream called Varicos Formula cream. It also contains fenugreek, and other oils and herbs.

For an internal supplement you can try Venastat Natural Leg Vein capsules. It contains horse chestnut powder and it has great reviews! Another intriguing product is Vein Mix tea. They don't divulge what specific herbs are in the tea, but if you love tea as much as me, it's a good choice. You could also get tea made from a single herb such as gotu kola or horse chestnut. Do be careful not to go overboard on horse chestnut, though. And last but not least, is a supplement by Garden of Life called Lovely Legs.

Thanks for reading!