8 Best Essential Oils For Varicose Vein Treatment. It is thought to be a result of prolonged standing and walking upright that increases the pressure in the veins of the lower body, with the effects of gravity being mostly to blame.
Dysfunction of tiny valves in the blood vessels plays a role as well. Other risk factors include age, sex, family history, and obesity.
Not everybody can afford the medical method of varicose vein treatment. And this is why most people opt for the best alternative and affordable home remedies to get rid of it.
The primary focus of these remedies is to strengthen the walls of the blood vessels and improve blood circulation.
Today’s post is going to cover the best essential oils I could find for shrinking varicose veins, reducing their appearance, and preventing a recurrence. So let’s get to it!
Varicose veins and spider veins are somehow similar. Spider veins are a less complicated form of varicose veins. They are small and not swollen, and they look like little cords across the skin surface. Sometimes, varicose veins can be painful in addition to their unappealing sight.
Not all varicose veins are harmful. Although, some of them might require urgent medical attention because they might be a sign of a medical condition.
What causes Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are as a result of weakened or damaged veins or valves. The arteries that ensure the free flow of blood from the heart to other parts of the body does not allow the backward flow of blood.
However, damaged veins with damaged valves allow the blood to flow backward. And when this happens, it causes stagnation of blood in the veins. It then leads to a build-up of blood in the veins, and this can result in a disease of the vein.
Another cause of varicose veins is a stretch in the vein. As the body gets older, the elastic components of the veins begin to reduce, and this can cause the veins to stretch. When the veins are stretched, it weakens the vein valves, and it results in an excess build-up of blood. Excess build-up of blood in the vein enlarges the veins and turns the vein varicose.
Varicose veins are not considered harmful if the affected vein is near the surface, however, if a vein is deep within the leg, problems such as thrombophlebitis (blood clots), pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs), stroke, and myocardial infarction (heart attack) can occur.
Most of the time though, varicose veins are merely cosmetically unappealing.
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8 Best Essential Oils For Varicose Vein Treatment
As mentioned above that varicose veins usually occur as a result of stagnant blood in the vein- lack of circulation. The following essential oils are loaded with properties that will help ensure the free flow of blood. And in turn, will help in varicose vein treatment.
There are many essential oils that can assist in the natural treatment of varicose veins and the best ones will have the following properties:
1. Venous decongestant – will help thin the blood and move stagnation
2. Circulatory stimulant – will increase circulation
3. Astringent action – will tighten, tone, and strengthen vein walls
4. Anti-inflammatory – will reduce inflammation
- Cypress Essential Oil
- Clary-Sage Essential Oil
- Geranium Essential Oil
- Rosemary Essential oil
- Yarrow Essential Oil
- Frankincense Essential Oil
- Hyssop Essential Oil
- Virginian Cedar-wood Essential Oil
1. Yarrow Essential Oil
Yarrow helps to treat varicose vein in a way that it stimulates and increases the free flow of blood in the vein. It helps to activate the circulatory system such that blood does not build-up in the veins. It is a relaxing oil that helps to correct and stabilize irregular menstrual cycles. The continuous use of yarrow oil for varicose vein treatment will help to reduce the swell and appearance.
2. Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense is an essential oil which is vital for the treatment of arthritis, wrinkles, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, and many others. It can also be used as a varicose vein treatment because it helps to strengthen the vein and prevent stretch. It helps to reduce the blood pressure, improve the circulation of blood and prevents the veins from swelling and twisting.
This oil also helps to fortify the body by adding some boost to the immune system and mental ability.
Note: Frankincense oil is one of the essential oils that can be used to treat varicose veins during pregnancy.
3. Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass oil is sweet-scented oil and is suitable for varicose vein treatment. It contains a high amount of anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-bacterial and analgesic properties. This oil helps to improve blood circulation thereby preventing the blood from pooling in the veins.
It also helps to strengthen the vein, so it does not stretch, bulge or twist. Prolonged use of this oil will help forestall any future occurrence of varicose veins because it will keep the blood vessels clean and free.
Also, you can use this oil as a sedative or as an insect repellant.
4. Chamomile Essential Oil
As some varicose veins can be painful and can make the legs heavy and ache, chamomile oil will help reduce the pain associated with twisted veins. It also helps to ease off the distress that comes with having bulging veins. This oil also helps to prevent the compression of blood while circulating.
5. Geranium Oil
This oil is commonly used in the production of anti-acne products, anti-wrinkles and in almost all cosmetic products. Geranium oil helps to reduce any form of swelling concerning varicose veins. It helps ensure the circulation of blood, and it also keeps the skin fresh and glowy.
6. Lemon Oil
Lemon is known to contain astringent properties, and so is the oil. The application of lemon essential oil to where you have varicose veins will ensure proper circulation of blood. Also, it will strengthen and tighten the vein walls so they don’t stretch. It helps to protect the elasticity of the veins so they don’t swell or twist.
7. Clary-Sage Essential Oil
Clary sage oil is from a flower, and this gives it the sweet floral smell it has. It is a healing oil that helps to reduce the appearance of swelling of the veins. It also ensures free and proper circulation of blood.
You can also use clary sage essential oil to tackle the signs of pre-menstrual syndrome, menopause and most of all, varicose veins.
8. Ginger Oil
Ginger oil when used gives the body a warming and soothing feeling. It contains a higher proportion of anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties help the blood to flow properly without being obstructed.
The oil further helps to lower the blood pressure an keeps the blood vessels unclogged. Ginger oil also helps to treat sore muscles and wellbeing on the body.
You can use this oil to treat spider veins on the face.
Anti-inflammatory Essential Oils for Vein Health
Controlling and bringing down inflammation not only in the body but in the surrounding tissues of the affected vein will help heal varicose veins faster. When inflammation is high, the compromised valves cannot revert back to a toned and healthy state.
You must include an anti-inflammatory essential oil to bring healing varicose veins full-circle.
The one oil I would absolutely recommend having is helichrysum essential oil which is an especially powerful essential oil to lessen the appearance of varicose veins.
Helichrysum oil with it’s anti-inflammatory and blood circulation properties can be a great choice for calming down inflamed tissue and even preventing the development of new varicose veins.
How To Use Essential Oils For Varicose Vein Treatment
There are various ways through which you can use essential oils to treat varicose veins. They include:
1. Massage: This is the most common method by which people use essential oils. However, not many people are doing it the right way. Some people directly apply the oils to the problem areas; this is not right! This is the correct way to do it.
For Varicose Vein Treatment,
- Mix about 10-15 drops of any essential oil of your choice with a tablespoon of carrier oil. This is to dilute the essential oils because they are in their concentrated forms. Carrier oils you can use include coconut oil and olive oil.
- After mixing, start the massage from your ankles and work your way up towards your heart.
- Repeat this process two times daily.
- Raise your leg higher than your body after every massage.
Massaging the problem veins will help to ease the movement of blood through them.
2. Warm Bath
You can take a warm bath with any of these essential oils added to your bath water. This is effective to help you relax heavy and painful veins or muscles.
To Use:
- Add a few drops of essential oils into your warm bath water.
- Soak yourself in it for about 30 minutes.
This will help soothe your whole body and ensure adequate circulation of blood.
Additional Tips
- Avoid standing too much.
If you work where you are required to stand throughout the day, take frequent breaks in between the standing. During these frequent breaks, you can talk a walk to make sure the blood is still flowing. If you sit in an office chair during the day, you might need to take breaks in between.
- Use a cold compress
This will help you reduce the swellings that come with twisted veins. You can use this cold compress with witch hazel lotion for fast results.
- Engage yourself in exercises and be mindful of your diet.
- Drink lots of water
This will help keep the body healthy. Drink up to eight or ten glasses of water daily.
- Watch what you eat!
Foods that are rich in garlic, vitamins C and E, and fiber should be included in your diet.
- Raise your legs higher than your body when sitting, resting or sleeping.
Recipes including essential oils for varicose veins
• 4oz dropper bottle
• Carrier oil of choice (sweet almond, grapeseed, fractionated coconut oil, etc.)
• 4 drops black pepper essential oil
• 16 drops cypress essential oil
• 8 drops German chamomile
• 8 drops helichrysum essential oil
• 12 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 8 drops peppermint essential oil
• 8 drops rosemary essential oil
• 4 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 4 drops yarrow essential oil
Directions:
For a total of 72 drops of essential oil in 4oz of carrier oil. This is a 3% dilution and is considered safe for most people (do your research!)
To Use:
- Use about 1 tsp of this mixture to massage your legs twice daily.
- Using one hand and a gentle grip, start at the ankles and stroke firmly but gently upward on either side of the varicose veins (never directly over them),
- Elevate legs after massaging
- After your veins have improved (which can take anywhere from 3 months to a year), you can apply this mixture once daily thereafter for maintenance.
The pain, swelling, and itching of varicose veins can definitely be managed with a combination of diet, exercise, and herbal remedies. These easy, inexpensive and natural remedies can relieve symptoms and even arrest the progress of the condition.
Before making a decision to try something as drastic as surgery, talk to your medical professional about these natural alternatives.
For more essential oil remedies for health complications, check out the articles below:
6 Best Essential Oils For Headaches, Migraines and Sinus Infection Relief
10 Essential Oils That Can Seriously Relieve Arthritis And Joint Pain
7 Best Essential Oils for Instant Back Pain Relief and Inflammation
Where To Buy Essential Oils
Before using essential oils for arthritis, it is imperative to use high quality, 100% pure essential oils and avoid products with additives or adulterants.
On Columbiawhc, we recommend Plant Therapy Essential Oils. All of their products are 100% pure, their prices are highly competitive, they offer a 90-day money back guarantee and they stock virtually every essential oil in the world.
