Varicose Vein

Definition

Varicose veins are enlarged, inflamed, elongated, and twisted veins typically caused by prolonged standing, weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle. Pain from varicose veins can range from mild to unbearable.

Symptoms

During the initial stages of varicose veins, the affected blood vessels become tense and stiff which can be felt through touch, but is not usually visible. As the situation progresses, the actual veins become larger and twisted, and begin to appear as bluish, blackish elevations above the surrounding skin. Other symptoms include aches within the surrounding area, leg fatigue, itching, and burning sensations. Relief can be achieved through elevating legs or wearing tights that compress the legs. Varicose veins most commonly occur at the rear of lower lower-leg, the calf muscles, and across the inside of the lower and upper legs.

Types

In addition to spider veins on the thighs, other types of varicose veins are varicocele (varicose veins in the scrotum), hemorrhoids (spider veins in the rectum), and esophageal varices (spider veins in the wind pipe).

Causes

The primary causes of varicose veins are nutritional deficiencies, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, cigarette smoking, standing for extended periods of time, pregnancy and hormonal changes caused by menopause.

Organic Cures

Aromatherapy: Add cypress oil to warm bath water. Rose, juniper, rosemary, and lemon essential oils can be massaged around the affected areas but do not directly massage varicose veins.

Diet: Eat a natural, whole foods diet filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, and filtered water. Fresh organic berries, cherries, natural citrus fruit, buckwheat, millet, garlic, and onions are all particularly useful. Eat plenty of fish and minimize your red meat consumption. In addition, avoid unhealthy fats, refined carbohydrates, sugar, salt, alcohol, dairy products and, fried, processed or refined foods.

Herbal treatments: Combine equal parts of the tinctures hawthorn, ginkgo, prickly ash, and yarrow. Consume one teaspoon of this mixture three times per day. To help ease discomfort, cayenne pepper and ginger underlying are also recommended.

Homeopathy: Helpful homeopathic remedies include calcarea fluor., hamamelis, pulsatilla, calcera carbonicum, and carbo vegetabilis.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of applying water, ice, steam and alternating cold and hot temperatures to restore health. Treatments include total body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation, and the application of warm and cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating an array of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a personal-treatment program. Many professionals including naturopathic physicians, physical therapists and day spas use Hydrotherapy as part of their treatment routines. We suggest trying several at home hydrotherapy remedies. Please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner prior to undergoing these treatments to ensure they are right for you. *Purified water is essential in any Hydrotherapy remedy. Remedies involving purifying bath water offer clear instructions and remedies.

Juice Therapy: Typical juicing remedies include the following juice combinations: carrot, celery, and parsley; carrot, green spinach, and turnip; carrot, beet, and cucumber; carrot, celery, and green spinach and watercress.

Lifestyle: Wear support stockings and exercise regularly. Walking barefoot as much as possible is also an excellent way to combat varicose veins.

Nutritional Supplementation: Recommended nutrients are vitamin C, bioflavonoids, vitamin B complex, vitamin, B6, supplement D3, vitamin E, calcium, folate, magnesium, lecithin, essential fatty acids, proteolytic enzymes, and rutin.

Alternative Expert Care
If your symptoms persist despite following the above steps, seek the assistance of a competent health professional. Professional treatments have proven useful in dealing with varicose veins: Acupressure, Acupuncture, exercise, Chelation Treatment, Detoxification Therapy, Energy Treatments (Light Beam Generator), Molecule Therapy, Magnetic Field Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Oxygen Therapy, Prolotherapy, Reflexology, and traditional Chinese Medicine.(See Glossary for descriptions of these alternative therapies.)