Varicose Vein Treatment with Essential Oils
Improve Circulation, Blood Flow to Eliminate Spider Varicose Veins
Nov 1, 2009 Victoria Anisman-Reiner
Varicose veins or spider veins – enlarged visible blood vessel in the legs and feet – are a problem that affects many people in midlife or in their later years. These veins may be unsightly and, in some cases, very painful. Fortunately, there are natural lifestyle approaches and treatments for varicose veins that work.
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are veins that have swollen and enlarged to carry blood back toward the body. They may look especially dark, like blue or purplish rivers that bulge out of the skin.
Varicose veins - sometimes written incorrectly as "vericose veins" - normally occur in the legs and feet, because gravity draws blood down into the feet and the body's circulation system has to work especially hard to bring that blood back to the heart. Varicose veins often occur during pregnancy or with weight gain, as the body must work harder to move a larger quantity of blood to the organs and limbs.
In addition to being unpleasant to look at, these swollen veins may also be painful and itchy. They may burn, throb, or make the muscles of the legs feel achy and tired.
Varicose Vein Prevention
As with most health problems, prevention is easier than treatment. It's easy to improve blood circulation in the legs and prevent varicose veins by:
- Walking or jogging regularly to keep blood flowing through the legs
- Eating a healthy diet high in fiber and low in salt
- Watching your weight
- Wearing low-heeled shoes or flats that work the calf muscles, rather than high heels
- Changing positions frequently while sitting to keep blood flowing through the legs
- Avoiding tight clothes that constrict areas on the legs, groin and waist
- Avoiding crossing legs above the knee, which may cut down circulation to the legs
All of these tips may be helpful in preventing the development of spider veins. That said, most women don't realize they are at risk of varicose veins until the spidery blue threads begin to appear. What can be done to treat varicose veins after they begin to show up?
Natural Varicose Vein Treatment Using Essential Oils
Medical treatment for these veins includes laser treatment and varicose vein surgery, but these intrusive procedures are not necessary. Essential oils - natural plant essences - have been found to improve circulation, tone the blood vessels and improve blood flow through the legs. Some of the best essential oils to use as treatment for varicose veins include:
- Helichrysum
- Cypress
- Idaho tansy
- Basil
- Lemongrass
- Lemon
- Bergamot
Other oils can be extremely helpful in relieving pain and itching. These include:
- Wintergreen
- Birch
- Peppermint
- Helichrysum
- Lavender
For those interested in using essential oils therapeutically, quality is of utmost importance. Poor quality essential oils will actually worsen symptoms. See The Real Quality of Essential Oils for more information.
References:
- Biali, Susan, "Varicose Veins: Pressure, pain and prevention,"Alive, April 2009.
- Essential Science Publishing (compiled by), Essential Oils Desk Reference, 2nd Edition. USA, Essential Science Publishing, 2001.
- Mayo Clinic Staff, "Varicose Veins," MayoClinic.com, 2009.
Varicose Veins Treatment and Prevention
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