Varicose veins are one of the most common ailments, not only physically but also aesthetically.
With the advent of light summer clothes, slippers and sandals, it is important for women to look their best. That’s why it’s also worth paying attention to the health of our feet, which is where herbs can help.
Aesthetic and health problems
During the summer, varicose veins, which often occur during the summer, can cause both aesthetic and health problems, especially for women. In the summer heat, blood vessels dilate, blood circulation slows down, congestion increases and varicose veins become worse. The varicose veins do not initially cause any visible symptoms on the skin, but the circulatory disturbance is already damaging the vessel walls. The persistence of varicose veins leads to insufficiency of the venous valves and stasis of blood. Therefore, it is important to be alert at the onset of symptoms, especially if there is a family history of the problem.
The most common symptoms of varicose veins are swelling of the feet and ankles, pain in the shins, reddening of the skin, tenderness and varicose veins in the gums. The most at risk are those who work standing for 8-10 hours a day, but sedentary work and being overweight can also be significant risk factors.
Surgical intervention may be an option in severe cases, but regular exercise, resting and padding the feet, wearing compression stockings and shoes with heels less than four centimetres high can help to treat the problem. Fortunately, we also have the treasures of nature, herbs, which are worth using regularly.
Horse chestnut
Horse chestnut is a wild plant that can be found almost everywhere. Its medicinal properties are known far and wide, and its cross-breeds are often planted in parks and along roadsides as ornamental plants.
The tree, which can grow up to 20 metres tall, contains valuable active substances in its seeds and dried bark, such as saponin, called escin, coumarin, called esculin, and other flavonoids. Escin has anti-inflammatory properties and is a good remedy for oedema, but it is also effective in varicose veins, varicose veins and other venous disorders. It reduces heaviness, itching and pain due to varicose vein problems, but is also effective for haemorrhoids and post-operative oedema. Horse chestnut is also used alone and in combination with other herbs to treat circulatory problems, as well as bruising, bruises, fever spots and venous insufficiencies.
Hamamelis, the Virginia witch hazel
This shrub, which resembles a hazelnut tree, is a common plant in the forests of the North American continent (from Quebec and the northern part of the United States of America to Virginia and Florida), but is also found as an ornamental in Europe. Its medicinal properties come from its leaves and bark.
The valuable active ingredients of witch hazel include tannins, flavonoids and phenolic acids. It has anti-inflammatory, antiviral (antiviral) and antioxidant properties. It can be used in several areas during the summer season. On the one hand, it is effective in reducing the blood flow velocity in case of varicose veins, which has a vasoconstrictor effect. Its leaf extract, applied through the skin, causes a reduction in temperature due to its local vasoconstrictor action. On the other hand, it is an excellent protection against harmful UV rays and can even be applied to mosquito bites (it is mainly found in homeopathic creams).
Red grapes
Red grapes, also known as wine grapes, have been used for thousands of years in gastronomy and medicine. It can grow up to thirty metres tall, both in cultivated form and in the wild.
The red grape is rich in valuable active ingredients such as flavonoids, resveratrol, procyanides, catechins, vitamins and minerals, which are found in its leaves, seeds and the oil pressed from its seeds. Resveratrol is a plant substance that activates a certain gene in the body that produces cell-protective substances. This protects against the development of cancer and cardiovascular problems. It supports circulation and can therefore be recommended for heavy, swollen feet (‘heavy leg symptoms’), leg aches, leg pain and varicose vein problems. It has anti-inflammatory, tonic, appetite stimulating, heart strengthening, vitalising and antioxidant effects and can also be used to boost the immune system in general. It is also an excellent anti-bleeding, pain and anti-inflammatory agent, as well as a good remedy for haemorrhoids. It can also be used externally and internally.