Varicose veins

[skydove]

Has anyone got any herbal or other remedy to help with this problem. One leg is particularly bad and is aching much of the time.

[mark the compost elf]

Horse chestnut extract is availible in many health shops and is well thought of a a varicose vein healer.
Aesceleus hippocastanatum (i think i have spelled that right...)

[Al Hakim]

Horse chestnut works excellently but it should also be taken orally. The irritative excema might be treated by using a creme mixed of horse chestnut and witch hazel (hamamelis virginiana). The most important factor, however, would be sufficient compression by elastic stockings or bandages throughout the day -and walking a lot. Furthermore, to flush the leg with cold water (10x) from the inner ankle up to the groin and back at the lateral side helps to increase the blood flow in the veins and to "drain" the leg from the surplus of blood. Don't stay sit for a long time because you will compress the draining veins in your groin. Instead, stand and walk a bit. By walking you are using the muscles of your lower leg to help pumping the blood.
Al Hakim

[skydove]

Thanks both for your advice, I'll try and get some horse chestnut/ witch hazel and (groan) elastic stockings - I feel a proper old lady now (sigh), plus the cold water treatment.
I'm not still for long so that should be no problem.

[Maddy]

I have heard bathing the legs with apple cider vinager is supposed to be very good. Also putting your feet up regularly. Its not something I suffer with but I take apple cider vinager regularly as a morning drink with honey and lemon as a tonic.

[skydove]

Oh to be able to put my feet up regularly, what bliss!

Yes I've heard how good apple cider vinegar is as a tonic Maddy though not about bathing your legs with it. My good friend and herbalist Tynan Elder Oak kindly made me up a tincture to improve circulation and reduce inflamation and nerve pain last weekend, so I'm taking that at the moment, I don't think she would mind me saying its got Hawthorn, Echinacea, Horse Chestnut, St John's Wort and Prickly Ash in it.
I had never heard of Prickly Ash ( Xanthoxylem americanum )before but it has been successfully used by Native Americans for hundreds of years for people with cold hands and feet as it gets the blood rushing to them and for those with more serious conditions such as Reynaud's disease where the arteries go into spasm and blood flow is reduced.

[Lily]

can you go swimming? Is there a water gym class in your area?

also, can you raise the foot end of your bed a few cm?

[ebhadh]

There are some supplements you can try to help improve your circulation and the strength of your blood capillaries. This is something you will need to check up with your doctor if you are already on blood thinners and/or heart medication, though. Vitamin E (a low dose, about 100 ius) will help the circulation and also the herb Ginko Biloba. Rutin is good for strengthening capilliaries - it is found in buckwheat and the pith of fruits, you can also get it as a supplement.

The advice about resting with legs up, wearing comfortable, flat shoes and not having anything tight or restricting around the leg at any points are all good.

Wishing you good health

ebhadh