Varicose veins affect around 20% of adults at some point in their lives. Various medical treatment methods are available for this illness, but you may prefer to try natural home remedies to ease the symptoms.

Exercising, massage, and herbal therapies may assist in reducing the appearance and pain of varicose veins.

These are ten  natural home remedies for varicose veins you may like to try:

1. Compression socks and stockings

Most pharmacies sell compression stockings and socks designed to treat varicose and spider veins by providing pressure to the legs. This helps the veins and muscles transport blood toward the heart.

A 2018 study discovered that participants who used knee-high compression stockings with a pressure of 18 to 21 mmHg for one week felt less pain caused by varicose veins.

You can buy compression stockings and socks at any pharmacy or online.

2. Keep your legs high.

Keeping the legs raised, ideally at or above the level of the heart, is one of the most common vain treatment options. This relieves pressure in the leg veins and allows blood to flow back to the heart more easily.

If you will be sitting for extended periods at work or at rest,  try to keep your legs elevated.

3. Massage

Gently massaging the problematic areas may help you to keep the blood circulating through the veins. For the best results, apply light massage oils or moisturizers.

However, avoid pressing directly on the veins as this may cause injury to the delicate tissues.

4. Plant extracts

According to a 2006 review research, horse chestnut extract, Aesculus hippocastanum L., may relieve leg pain, heaviness, and itching in persons with chronic venous insufficiency, a main cause of varicose veins. Aesculus hippocastanum L. is accessible in health food stores and online.

Marine pine extract, maritime pine, and Butcher's broom extract, Ruscus aculeatus, may also reduce leg swelling, which is commonly caused by varicose veins. Ruscus aculeatus can be bought in health food stores and online.

Plant extracts and essential oils should be diluted in carrier oils before applying topically or using in an aromatherapy diffuser.

5. Herbal treatments

Taking grape seed extract orally may help to relieve swelling in the lower legs and other symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, according to the National Institute of Health. However, there is a lack of evidence for its usefulness.

A person taking blood thinners should avoid taking grape seed extract as a dietary supplement because it can interact with the medications and increase the risk of bleeding.

6. Change your food habits

Salty or sodium-rich foods may lead to retaining water in your body, so limiting those foods can prevent water retention. You can also eat more potassium-rich foods like white beans, almonds, potatoes, green vegetables, salmon, and tuna, to prevent water retention.

Fiber-rich foods like legumes, nuts, seeds, whole-grain foods, oats, wheat, and flaxseed help in bowel movement and prevent constipation. This is important because straining can aggravate or worsen damaged valves.

Flavonoid-containing foods, like citrus fruits and grapes, cherries, apples, blueberries, onions, bell peppers, spinach, broccoli, cocoa, and garlic, help to reduce symptoms of varicose veins as well.

Flavonoids increase blood circulation and reduce the likelihood of it pooling in veins. They also can reduce arterial blood pressure and relax blood vessels.

Conclusion

Varicose veins can be painful and make you feel self-conscious. It is possible to treat varicose veins at home, and dietary and lifestyle adjustments may help.

However,  if home remedies for varicose veins are ineffective for you or cause you significant discomfort, you may need medical therapy. A healthcare provider may prescribe you medicines and procedures for the best varicose veins treatment.