No Compression Socks With These Essential Oils For Varicose Veins
Does the pain in your legs make sleeping at night difficult? Are your veins enlarged, swollen, bluish-purple in color and seem to be overfilled with blood? If yes, you most probably are suffering from varicose veins, which is especially common with women.
Varicose veins or varicosities usually occur in the lower legs, and are not only unsightly with swollen and knotted veins, but also very painful. It’s the result of poor blood circulation and reduced elasticity of the superficial or surface levels veins’ walls.
It’s when the one-way valves of veins that prevent blood from flowing backwards fail causing blood to collect in the veins instead of moving towards the heart. This leads to enlarged veins and usually affects the legs as its veins are the farthest from the heart, and gravity makes upward blood flow difficult.
Even lack of exercise, prolonged standing, obesity, poor nutrition, inactivity of muscular tissues surrounding the veins and sometimes pregnancy can trigger the condition. Though it’s not dangerous, varicose veins are unsightly and uncomfortable.
Who is prone to it?
While women are more likely to suffer from varicose veins, as it’s a hereditary condition, you are predisposed to it if anyone from your family suffers from it. Even those aged over 50 are more likely to get varicose veins, along with women who are in menopause.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of varicose veins are misshaped veins, with heaviness, aching around or over the veins and pain. There may also be bleeding or ulcers in severe cases.
How it affects your life
Varicose veins can alter your lifestyle through both medical and cosmetic reasons. It may lead to psychological effects which lead to a loss of confidence and self-esteem as you can’t accept its appearance.
This in turn, can lead to a change in personality and dressing sense. You may not like wearing skirts or go swimming as you worry about people noticing your varicose veins. However, ironically, swimming is good if you have varicose veins, and should not be avoided.
Some people go through lots of pain because of varicose veins and take painkillers for pain relief. This should not be an alternative treatment as it only offers temporary relief. Some people may even end up sleep deprived, which is why you need to treat your varicose veins before it affects your sleep and you grow addicted to pain killers for pain relief.
Treatment options and how to prevent varicose veins
Doctors generally advise lifestyle changes like losing weight, avoiding prolonged standing, and exercising for improved circulation instead of adopting aggressive treatments. You will also be advised to wear compression socks or stockings as they place sufficient pressure on your legs to reduce swelling and help ease blood flow to the heart.
If all this doesn’t work, or if there’s so much pain that it’s taking its toll on your health, your doctor may suggest surgery like vein litigation and stripping. Your surgeon will cut and remove the varicose veins through incisions.
There are other minimally invasive treatment options too like sclerotherapy where a liquid or foam chemical injection is used to block off larger veins or laser surgery where light energy blocks off a vein.
Fiend relief with varicose vein essential oils
In addition to all this, there are also many essential oils worth trying out. They provide a natural treatment for varicose veins with minimal side effects and are considered safe for external use when diluted.
There is a chance of experiencing irritation or inflammation if undiluted oils are applied to the skin. While there are various essential oils you can use for treating varicose veins, remember that different oils have different healing properties.
Some are venous decongestants that help thin the blood and prevent stagnation. Others are anti-inflammatory in nature to reduce inflammation, some are circulatory stimulants that increase circulation and others have an astringent action for tightening, toning and strengthening vein walls.
Oil for varicose veins
Use these for their individual healing properties:
Venous oils
- lemongrass
- sage
- rock rose
- cypress
- grapefruit
- valor
- sandalwood
Stimulate circulation
- basil
- black pepper
- ginger
- frankincense
- hyssop
- cedarwood
- lemon
- peppermint
- oregano
- myrrh
- laurel
- wintergreen
Strengthen damaged veins
Essential oils with astringent properties tighten surrounding tissues and veins to strengthen damaged vein walls.
- They include black spruce, lemon, clary sage, mandarin, sage, yarrow, rock rose, and rosemary essential oils.
Reduce swelling
The essential oils with anti-inflammatory properties control and reduce inflammation in the body and surrounding tissues of affected veins for its quick healing. It’s difficult for the compromised valves to revert to a healthy and toned state if it’s swollen too much.
- These oils include clove, eucalyptus, cinnamon, yarrow, thyme, peppermint, lavender, ginger, and roman chamomile essential oils.
Ways to use essential oils for varicose veins
- Make a blend of 5 drops of essential oils and a lt. of water and make a warm or cold compress by soaking a cloth in it and then applying to the affected region for 15 minutes.
- Mix 30 drops of essential oils with 3 tablespoons of your favorite carrier oil like almond, coconut, olive, or jojoba oils and massage onto the affected region in the direction of the heart.
- Try mixing 8 drops of essential oil with some carrier oil and adding to warm bathwater and soak.
- It’s also possible to diffuse the oils with an essential oil diffuser or directly from an inhaler tube. Alternative you can apply the oils to a handkerchief for direct pain relief and to calming.
It’s best to alternate oils for the quick and maximum shrinking of varicose veins. So if you use lemongrass or rosemary essential oils one day, you can use helichrysum and cypress essential oils the next day. Remember it also helps if you elevate your legs higher than your head whenever possible when laying down, when applying compresses, or massaging your leg.
