With the entire country heading for quarantine because of COVID-19, we wanted to share some potentially helpful home remedies for varicose veins. It is predicted that 50 percent of women over 50 have varicose veins and with many people feeling stuck in their homes during this time, we are here to offer some advice.

Here’s are a few things you can try.

What Are Varicose Veins?

Before you figure out how to help combat varicose veins at home, it’s crucial to know what you’re looking for. Varicose veins are swollen, knotty veins that appear under your skin. They most commonly appear in the legs but they can form in other parts of the body too. Most often women notice the appearance of varicose veins in their leg.

It’s important to note that varicose veins are common, especially if you’re older, female, obese, or if it runs in your family. While the only way to completely cure a varicose vein is to seek medical treatment, we can suggest some remedies to help vein health that may aid in slowing the progression.

Symptoms of Varicose Veins

  • Swelling or puffiness in the feet and ankles.
  • Aching, heaviness, and discomfort in the legs.
  • Burning or throbbing sensation in the legs.
  • Muscle cramps in the legs, especially at night.
  • Dry, itchy, and thin skin over the affected vein.

Home Remedies For Varicose Veins

There’s an array of varicose veins home treatments you can use. For example:

Eat Foods High In Fiber

One of the best remedies for varicose vein removal is to eat fibrous foods to keep a healthy bowel function. The physical effort of passing a stool can increase internal abdominal pressure, which can result in damaged vein valves.

To avoid this, you should eat the following:

  • Whole-grain foods
  • Beans
  • Tomatoes
  • Broccoli
  • Onions
  • Nuts
  • Citrus Fruits
  • Seed Extract
  • Horse Chestnut
  • Color Rich Foods
  • High Fiber Foods

These foods also help improve circulation in the legs and back to the heart. Paired with compression socks and exercise, they can help relieve pressure and improve blood circulation.

You should also add potassium because if you have a deficiency, it will result in water retention. This means the volume in your blood increases which will create extra pressure for your vein valves. To combat this, eat.

  • Leafy vegetables
  • Oranges
  • Salmon
  • Yogurt
  • Lentils
  • Chicken

For other ideas of great foods for vein health, visit our recent blog post On The 7 Best Foods For Vascular Health.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the most accessible and natural remedies because most of us have already this in our kitchen cupboards.

It’s also one of the most effective as apple cider vinegar naturally cleanses the body and improves our circulation. This is essential because once the blood flow returns to normal, vein swelling will greatly decrease. Try drinking (or mixing into something) 2 tablespoons per day.

You may apply apple cider vinegar to the affected area and gently massage it in. Do this every day before you go to sleep, and when you wake up.

Cayenne Pepper

Another one of the more effective home remedies for varicose veins is using cayenne pepper. This is because cayenne peppers are rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids, which increases blood circulation which may help ease the pain of swollen varicose veins.

To reap the benefits, mix a teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder to a cup of hot water and stir well. Aim to drink this mixture three times a day for one to two months and you’ll notice the effects.

Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel is fantastic for strengthening blood vessels, thanks to Gallic acid and essential oils.

First, soak a washcloth in witch hazel and place it on the affected area for ten minutes. You should then do this two or three times a day for one month to reduce the swelling.

Another option is you should fill a tub with lukewarm water and add 20 drops of distilled witch hazel. Then wash your legs with the water hazel water and pat them dry. Aim to do this every day for two months.

Physical Activity

The more you move, the better your blood flow circulation so this is a simple home remedy to try. A low-impact sport is a brilliant way to do this. Swimming, walking, and cycling improve your blood flow and exercise the calf muscles without the risk of injury. Many of these activities can be done at home as treatment. Check out our guild to the best exercises for vein health.

Elevate Your Legs

Elevating your legs, above heart level, stops blood from gathering in your lower legs and improves blood flow to the rest of your body. There are a few ways to do this, for example, prop your legs up when you’re sitting.

You could use a footrest or ottoman to do this at work and at home. Or lie on your bed and prop your legs above heart level on the wall or pillow, so the blood flows back to your heart. You shouldn’t sit for lengthy periods of time or sit cross-legged. But if you have to, regularly tense your legs muscles and flex your feet. These stretches for vein health will also help.

Grape Seed Extract

For centuries, ancient civilizations have used grapes, grape leaves, and sap for alternative medicine.

Grape seed is packed with vitamin E, flavonoids, and other compounds which reduce swelling. It’s available in tablets, capsules, and liquid extracts. Please make sure you talk to your physician before taking any additional supplements.

Garlic

Another great excellent home remedy is garlic as it reduces inflammation. Garlic also dissolves harmful toxins in blood vessels and improves blood flow circulation.

First, slice up six garlic cloves and place them in a glass jar. Next, squeeze juice from three oranges and pour it over the garlic. Add two tablespoons of olive oil and let the mixture marinate for 12 hours.

Then shake the jar and pour a few drops of the solution on your fingers. Next, massage your inflamed skin with the solution in a circular motion for 15 minutes.

Wrap the area with a cotton cloth and leave it to soak overnight. You may repeat this daily.

That’s How To Get Rid Of Varicose Veins

We hope you try some of our home remedies. We know being stuck without your regular schedule may be stressful, but taking a few minutes each day to focus on your health is a great way to stay in check.

Many ingredients are already in your kitchen cupboards like apple cider vinegar, garlic, and cayenne pepper.

All of these have the properties to reduce the swelling and offset the symptoms. You should also elevate your legs if you’re sitting for a long time and low-impact sports to improve your blood flow circulation and reduce your risk of varicose veins. Good luck!

If you’re worried about your varicose veins, we’d love to help. Contact us here for more details.