Health Information

What is VARICOSE VEINS | Diet for VARICOSE VEINS | Massage for VARICOSE VEINS | Herbal Remedy for VARICOSE VEINS

We all know what varicose veins look like – the hardened, bulging blue knots standing out in the legs which are caused, some people say, by heredity but which are likely to have been made far worse by neglect. The valves which control the flow of blood in veins and arteries collapse as a result of poor circulation which can be caused by carrying too much weight, especially during pregnancy.

Standing for too many hours at a time is also a prime factor. If you have to stand a lot try to find a few minutes every now and again to take a walk and everybody should make time for a good brisk walk every day.

Sitting on an office chair that is a bad shape can cut off the blood supply particularly if you are overweight, and so can kneeling or sitting with one leg crossed over the other knee. In fact anything that makes a limb ‘go to sleep’ is bad for it.

Restrictive clothing is another danger. Varicose veins are even less appealing and far more likely to result than a high voice or sterility, so tell that to your son when he buys his next pair of skin-tight denims.

Constipation, smoking and hot baths are all other contributory factors to varicose veins.

Diet for VARICOSE VEINS

Eat plenty of fruits including grapes, blackcuurants, citrus fruits and rose hips and a regular amount of good green cabbage, spinach, parsley and dandelion. Wheatgerm, brewer’s yeast and garlic are further vital elements in the diet.

Rosemary tea with honey and elderflower tea: Both of these are old-fashioned remedies to aid the circulation.

Bistort tea: Leave 50g(2oz) of bistort root (polygonum bistorta from whose leaves the British used to make Easter pudding) to macerate in 1 litre(1¾ pints) of cold water for 10 hours. Strain and take 4 cups a day between meals to aid the healing of both varicose veins and piles.

Massage for VARICOSE VEINS

Rub the legs gently but never scratch varicose veins because the varicose ulcers which may result from a sore place can be very unpleasant indeed.

Wash the legs and massage upwards towards the heart using either witch hazel or tincture of calendula. You may prefer to give the legs alternate hot and cold baths to improve the circulation but you should never, ever take hot baths without splashing the legs in cold water afterwards.

Raise the legs several times a day or sleep with the foot of the bed raised.

                               

Excellent massage oils for varicose veins are olive or, sweet almond oil, the essential oil of cypress (6 drops in the bath or 4 drops in 2 teaspoons of olive oil), calendula, rosemary, lavender or the following.

Take equal amounts of oak bark, wild marjoram and walnut leaves. Fill a jar three quarters full with these plants and add enough olive oil to cover. Stand in a double boiler for two hours over a low heat then allow to cool in the pan. Draw off the liquid and pour through a filter.