Home remedies for varicose veins

It is common knowledge that exercise improves blood circulation. It helps the pooled blood move along in the blood vessel and towards the heart. Generally, low and moderate-intensity exercises such as cycling, walking, swimming and yoga are said to be good for improving varicose veins symptoms. 

And while exercise may seem like a logical option for improving circulation, there aren’t many studies to prove the efficiency of this method.

In a case study done in India, a woman with varicose veins reportedly got symptomatic relief with one and a half months of yoga therapy combined with some loosening and flexing exercises like ankle rotation, backward leg raises and side lunges. The woman practised yoga for an hour, six days a week, for six weeks.

Dietary changes for the management of varicose veins depend on the cause of the condition. Having said that, there are some healthy habits that all people living with varicose veins can adopt:

• Cut salt and add potassium: If your varicose veins are caused due to water retention or have lead to oedema, you should reduce your salt intake as salt promotes water retention in tissues. Additionally, a diet rich in potassium will help balance electrolytes in your body and would promote the resolution of oedema. Some potassium-rich foods include raisins, bananas, apricots, potatoes, and kidney beans.
• Eat flavonoid-rich foods: Flavonoids are a group of plant chemicals that are known for their benefits for cardiovascular health. Clinical studies show that flavonoids can reduce oedema in legs, and improve blood circulation. They also reduce heaviness in legs, which a lot of varicose veins patients experience.
  Flavonoids are found in most vegetables and fruits. Some of the flavonoid-rich foods include coffee, tea, chocolate, wine, grapes, apples, onions, hot peppers, soybean and legumes.
• Consume more fibre: Fiber comprises complex carbs that improve our digestion and absorption of food in the intestines. Also, fibre-rich food softens stools so they can easily pass through the gut. So, if constipation is the underlying cause of varicose veins, adding more fibre to your diet will help you get symptomatic relief.
  However, make sure you don't go overboard with fibre: the recommended dietary intake is 25 grams of fibre per day.
  Don’t forget to drink ample water (eight to 10 glasses a day) along with a fibre-rich diet. Water helps the fibre to soften and makes it easy to pass out of the body.
  Some fibre-rich foods include whole grains, fruits like apple, banana, orange, figs, nuts and seeds like peanuts and almonds, most vegetables including potatoes, carrots, beetroot and broccoli.

Regular massage therapy is one of the components of the ayurvedic treatment of varicose veins. It is suggested that the massage should be done in upward motions and direct pressure should never be applied to the affected areas as it might worsen the condition. 

There isn’t much scientific evidence to prove the efficiency of massage for varicose veins. However, a 2017 study suggested that friction massage is beneficial in increasing venous blood flow in legs. In friction massage, pressure is applied to the joint area with the fingertips to improve circulation in the area.

Some of the oils that are used for massaging varicose vein patients are olive oil, castor oil and mustard oil.

If you have varicose veins, talk to your doctor about the right way to massage your limbs and how beneficial it is for your condition.

Compression stockings are one of the most common methods to manage varicose veins. These are hosiery stockings that compress the superficial veins and send most of the blood to the deeper veins in the legs, thus relieving varicose veins symptoms. Compression stockings are available in various lengths, ranging from knee to thigh length. The external pressure is not equal at all points. It is much higher in the ankles than at the thigh or calf. This further causes the blood to flow quickly through the legs.

A randomised double-blind placebo trial done in 2018 indicated that compression stockings can help reduce leg pain and swelling in varicose vein patients.

A systematic review published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Phelobology indicated that compression stockings are highly beneficial in the treatment of venous diseases and the evidence is supported by multiple studies, though more studies are needed to find out if these stockings are beneficial for varicose veins.

These stockings are contraindicated for patients who have severe congestive heart failure. Also, it is best to check with a doctor to know what size of stockings will suit you well.

A number of natural remedies are known to be good for varicose veins.  These include:

• Gotu kola: Gotu kola is a herb belonging to the parsley family which is known for its therapeutic benefits. Commonly known as Indian pennywort, mandukparni or Jalbrahmi, Gotu kola is used for treating blood pressure problems and for improving longevity. It also helps improve venous insufficiency (inability of veins to send blood up from legs to the heart) as in case of varicose veins. It is said that Gotu kola acts on the connective tissue and strengthens veins, enabling them to perform their function efficiently. 
• Apple cider vinegar (ACV): Apple cider vinegar is scientifically proven to be effective for varicose veins. However, you don’t have to drink it, rather massage it on your legs twice a day and then leave it covered with a cloth for about 30 minutes.
  This method was found to be effective in a clinical study done in 2016 where more than 100 patients with varicose veins reported relief from the oedema, pain, irritation and fatigue associated with the condition. However, all of the patients in this study took ACV as a supplement to conventional treatment and not as a stand-alone therapy.  
• Grape seed extract: Grape seed extract supplements are also used to treat venous insufficiency. In a randomised double-blind placebo trial, grape seed extract was found to be efficient in reducing leg swelling in women that occurs due to sitting for long hours.
• Aromatics and citrus fruits: Garlic, amla, ginger, onion and citrus fruits are considered to be helpful for the management of varicose veins. Though most of these do contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, there aren’t any scientific studies to prove the safety and efficiency of any of these remedies in varicose veins.