Varicose veins and Horse chestnuts
Varicose veins are swollen, bluish veins, sometimes with a twisted appearance. They are usually on the backs of the legs and often accompanied by a sensation of pain, heaviness & restlessness that gets worse after standing.
Veins contain valves that ensure blood only flows one way. If the walls of the veins become fragile or lose the power to adequately contact, the valves can become ineffective, allowing blood to distend the veins.
Varicose veins are the end result of a susceptibility that is triggered by lifestyle factors such as spending long hours standing or sitting, hormonal changes such as pregnancy, and other mystery reasons that instigate an inequality in the circulation. The susceptibility issue can be treated constitutionally with homoeopathic remedies which involves an individualised prescription following a consultation.
A constitutional remedy is based on the picture of the personal generally including body type, food preferences, environmental factors, sensitivities, temperament and reactions to stress. You will be asked questions that seem quite unrelated to the veins but they are relevant to a homoeopath because they are aiming to treat you and reduce your susceptibility. The veins are an end-result of the total chemical-emotional make-up with all its ups and downs and they will heal as the chemical-emotional totality becomes more even and regular.
Fragility and hardening are often the results of reduced elasticity. The ability to expand and contract is important to the healing of the venous structures as of course it is to life in general. One of the definitions of health used by homoeopaths is the ability to adapt. Adaptation is the key to flourishing in different circumstances, environments and influences and stimulation of the ability to adapt is one of the chief aims of the homoeopathic treatments.
Remedies and tissue salts combined with plant tinctures can be effective in encouraging a sluggish metabolism or congested system into increased activity and strengthening and toning the entire venous system.
The tissue salt that is often used for this is Calc fluor or calcium fluoride 6x or 12x, one of the 12 inorganic tissue or cell salts. It is the pregnant woman’s friend as it increasing elasticity and strength and tone in all the bodily structures and tissues and is particularly helpful for veins. It is recommended to be taken two or three times a day.
Many plant tinctures have the power to gently cleanse tone and normalize bodily functions and structures. They work steadily, gradually helping to build new healthy tissue. Milk thistle and Dandelion cleanse and tone the liver and gallbladder which helps the whole system run more smoothly. Nettle is rich in iron, revitalizes the bloodstream and invigorates the entire system. If hormones need regulating consider Agnus castus or Bladderwrack. If you need to boost the circulation consider Ginkgo biloba or Rosemary.
External preparations are an important part of the entire programme. First in importance and effectiveness is Horse chestnut cream. It has a long history of use for varicose veins as well as venous insufficiency and broken thread veins. The active ingredients are saponins called Aesculin and Aescin which stimulates regeneration of weakened veins, increases elasticity of vein walls, invigorates the circulation and reduces inflammation.
Witch hazel is the distilled water of the witch hazel tree. It has been used as an astringent toner for many years as well as a treatment for swollen or sprained joints. It is particularly soothing when used in a spritzer.
Essential oils are the essence of the plant. They are powerful and concentrated so only a little is needed, always used diluted in a carrier, usually oil such as Peach Kernel but sometimes a lotion or cream, even a shampoo. Some of the best essential oils for varicose veins are Cypress (astringent/vasoconstrictor), Geranium (astringent/anti-inflammatory) Lemon (very astringent) peppermint (anti-inflammatory) and Rosemary (circulatory stimulant): Massage your chosen mix in once or twice a day, around rather than over the veins, in an upward direction.
