Most often, varicose veins affect the lower extremities, as they undergo enormous stress and are the parts of the body furthest from the heart muscle.Treatment of varicose veins should begin as early as possible.Treatment with folk remedies for varicose veins on the legs does not replace medication and surgical treatment, but helps to improve the patient's condition.How to cure varicose veins of the lower extremities with traditional medicine?This question can only be answered by addressing the problem comprehensively.
General information about varicose veins
In varicose veins of the legs, deformation and expansion of the veins occurs.The causes of this pathology are excessive physical activity, pregnancy, weight gain, congenital pathologies of the vascular system and a sedentary lifestyle.In this case, the venous flow of blood is interrupted, resulting in a change in the configuration of the veins.
The first sign of varicose veins are spider veins that appear in the thigh area.Another early symptom of the disease is the presence of edema.Since edema can be a consequence of various diseases of the cardiovascular and urinary systems, it is necessary to exclude its presence.
The most serious sign of pathology is pain in the lower extremities.It is pulling, painful and usually appears after prolonged exertion of the leg muscles at night.At night, patients suffer from cramps in the calf muscles and a feeling of heaviness.A clear sign of pathology is the visual identification of altered veins (thickening, nodules, tortuosity).
If these symptoms appear, you should contact a phlebologist.He will prescribe treatment and give appropriate recommendations.Treatment of varicose veins with folk remedies should also be discussed with your doctor;you should not self-medicate.Traditional medicine offers more than one method of treating this pathology, but only the attending physician can choose the right option, based on the diagnostic data and the patient's complaints.Each person will have their own individual treatment schedule.
Properties that folk remedies should have
Folk remedies for varicose veins on the legs can have general and local effects.Herbal healing is quite versatile and is used in many areas.But herbs for varicose veins on the legs must have certain properties:
- a folk remedy for varicose veins based on medicinal plants should help improve the condition of the walls of blood vessels;
- the medicine should relieve inflammation;
- contain blood-thinning components, as they help improve blood flow throughout the body;
- a traditional medicine medicine should prevent the formation of blood clots;
- Herbs used for varicose veins must have a diuretic effect, which is necessary to reduce tissue swelling.
There are many popular recipes for varicose veins, but they must meet certain requirements to be used at home:
- Herbs used for varicose veins should not have any negative effects on the body.
- The products can easily be used independently and are simple to prepare.
- The herb mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for a certain period of time.
- Folk remedies for treating varicose veins are inexpensive.
Diet therapy
The traditional methods of treating varicose veins are varied, one of which is diet therapy.This type of treatment is a general technique.Patients with varicose veins in the lower extremities are prescribed a certain diet.And before starting the treatment of varicose veins on the legs with folk remedies, it is necessary to follow the so-called fasting diet.
Bakery and confectionery products, meat, fish, drinks containing caffeine and alcoholic beverages should be excluded from the diet.The diet should consist of fruits and vegetables.Two days later, buckwheat and rice porridge are introduced.
This diet is recommended to be used every month for 2 or 3 days.
General treatments
To treat varicose veins, general methods are used (baths, infusions, decoctions, tinctures), which help to improve blood circulation and have a positive effect on the body as a whole.
How to treat this disease with baths?First you need to familiarize yourself with the contraindications:
- Trophic ulcers.
- Thrombophlebitis.
Baths can be shared or foot baths.The water temperature should not exceed 39 degrees (in other words, when checking the temperature, your hand must be patient).Shower for 30–40 minutes.
Medicinal plants such as chamomile, hazelnut (leaves), pine (shoots), clover, willow and oak (twigs) help combat varicose veins.
You can use baking soda to prepare the bath.A full bath will require a standard pack of soda, but to prepare a foot bath you need to take 6 liters of water and 7-8 tablespoons of soda.
A bath with willow, duda and chestnut branches, as well as string, chamomile or St. John's wort has a good healing effect.You need to take 0.5 kg of branches and boil them for 30 minutes.Then you need to add medicinal herbs (4 packs) to this solution.This medicinal decoction is infused all night.
A willow twig bath is very easy to make;you only need two handfuls of branches for every three liters of water, boil the mixture for 30 minutes.
Baths for varicose veins of the legs are treated for a long time, for several months.
After bathing, it is recommended to lightly massage your legs, starting from the bottom and working your way up.After that, you need to put on compression clothing and place your legs in an elevated position.
We treat varicose veins with folk remedies, what herbs to drink?The treatment of varicose veins with herbs is also done in pharmaceutical forms for oral use.The easiest way to prepare a decoction at home is using a thermos.It must be strained before use.
To thin the blood in varicose veins, the following are used:
- Horse chestnut fruit.You need to take 50 grams of fruit peels and 0.5 liters of vodka.The tincture is kept in a dark place for 14 days.Take a teaspoon of tincture before meals with water.
- Sweet cloverIt thins the blood well, but should be used with caution and after consulting a doctor.An infusion or tea can be made from this medicinal plant.
- White willow(bark) promotes blood thinning due to the salicin content in the composition.You can make tea with the peel.
Take a soda solution inside.For 200 milliliters of warm water you need to take a teaspoon of soda.You should drink the solution in the morning and before bed.
Nettle tea.For half a liter of boiling water, take 3 tablespoons of dry nettle leaves.Infuse the tea for 30 to 40 minutes, after which you can drink it (80 to 100 milliliters after meals).
Garlic with honey is a good remedy for treating this pathology.Honey - 350 grams and garlic - 250 grams are crushed, mixed and infused for 10 days.Use a tablespoon 30 minutes before meals.
Treatment of varicose veins with local effects
In this case, the therapeutic effect is aimed only at pathologically altered veins.At home you can prepare creams, lotions, compresses, ointments.
Various juices are used in treatment:
- Potato juice helps in treating ulcers.The potatoes must be grated on a fine grater until a pasty mass is obtained.This mass is applied to the affected areas of the skin;a bandage must be applied over it.This compress needs to be changed every 5 hours.
- Apple cider vinegar helps improve the tone of vascular walls;It is applied to areas affected by varicose veins twice a day (morning and evening).
- Cabbage juice has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.It is best to apply a white cabbage leaf to the branch at night.
- Compress with tomato.The tomato (necessarily green) is cut into slices, which are used to line the pathologically altered veins.They are fixed to the limb with a bandage.The compress must be changed after 4 hours.
- Lotions with hops.Hop cones in the amount of 1 tablespoon are poured with 200 milliliters of boiling water and infused.Lotions are made from the resulting infusion.
Tinctures for treating varicose veins:
- Alcohol tincture with Kalanchoe.The leaves must be cut from the plant and kept in the cold for a week.After that, these leaves are crushed (passed through a meat grinder) and poured over with vodka.The composition is infused for seven days.The tincture must be strained and stored in the refrigerator.
- Crushed green walnuts are infused in olive oil.The composition remains in the sun for 40 days, after which it can be applied topically.
- Horse chestnut leaves and inflorescences are brewed as tea with boiling water and compresses are made.
- An alcohol tincture with birch buds and white acacia flowers is infused for 7 days.Used for application to diseased areas of the skin.
At home you can even make an ointment for varicose veins.Herbal medicines in the form of ointments penetrate the skin very well and eliminate the symptoms of the disease.Fat of animal (chicken) and vegetable origin (vegetable oils) is used as the basis for the preparation of this pharmaceutical form.High concentration decoctions of medicinal herbs are added to the melted base.Mix all the ingredients, keeping them on low heat for 5 minutes.
The following medicinal herbs can be added to the ointment base: chamomile, eucalyptus, lemon balm, fir, celandine, calendula.You can use one component or a combination of several herbs.
Homemade ointment should be stored in the refrigerator to prevent it from spoiling.This product is applied to the skin in a thick layer;it must be rubbed into the skin.On top of the ointment, you need to apply special paper (compress) and a bandage.It is best to do this compress before going to sleep.
Contraindications
Alternative treatment also has a sufficient number of contraindications and side effects.If a person has diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, he needs to be careful with oral medications.All solutions are quite concentrated, which can lead to aggravation of chronic pathology of the digestive tract.
Natural remedies can lead to the development of allergic reactions (hives, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock).When the first signs of allergy appear, it is necessary to stop taking medications and consult a specialist.
Inadequate administration or preparation of medicines can lead, in some cases, to poisoning.
Varicose vein prevention
- Physical education plays an important role in the treatment and prevention of this disease.People prone to developing varicose veins, as well as those who experience symptoms of the disease, are advised to exercise in moderation.Walking, running and swimming help improve blood circulation.Walking 3 kilometers or more is an excellent preventive measure in this case.
- Much attention should be paid to nutrition.The diet should contain a lot of fruits and vegetables, foods rich in phosphorus, B vitamins and potassium.Cherries can prevent the formation of blood clots, which is why you should include them in your daily diet.
- Refusal of bad habits and heavy foods (fatty, spicy, fried foods).
- A contrast bath improves vascular tone.
- Rest your feet, wear comfortable shoes.At the end of the day, your legs should rest;after a contrast shower, the legs should be elevated.