Q. Will horse chestnut help varicose veins? Is there anything else I can do to ease this discomfort? My legs feel so heavy and tired at the end of the day.
A. Varicose veins have become enlarged. They may look like blue or purple cords just under the surface of the skin on the legs. Although this condition doesn’t always cause symptoms, some people do find that the legs ache or feel heavy.
There are a number of treatments for varicose veins, including surgery, laser treatment or foam. People are urged to exercise regularly but avoid sitting or standing still for long periods of time to prevent recurrence. Spending some time every day with the legs up may help, and compression hose are sometimes helpful as well. Although prescription compression hose can be pricey, some folks find it helpful to wear ordinary support hose.
In Europe, horse chestnut extract (Aesculus hippocastanum) such as Aesculaforce or Venastat is used to improve blood vessel resilience and increase circulation (Advances in Therapy, Jan-Feb. 2006).
Pycnogenol, derived from the bark of the French maritime pine, reduces leg swelling and can be helpful when veins are no longer working efficiently (Phytotherapy Research, March, 2014). Either of these botanical medicines would definitely be worth a try.
3/1/18 redirected to: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/should-your-varicose-veins-make-you-nervous/
