Natural therapies for varicose veins

[James]

Can you advise what causes varicose veins and what the best options would be for reversing this.

Varicose veins have several causes. Heavy, consistent exercise can cause enlargement of veins as part of the increased blood flow to the muscles and other tissues. Damage to the valves in the veins, such as from being on your feet all the time, can cause blood to back flow, which in turn leads to stretching of the veins. A loss of the structural proteins collagen and elastin can lead to a loss of strength in the vein walls, which can cause them to lose elasticity and stretch out like old elastic bands on underwear.

The natural vitamin C sources, which also contain beneficial bioflavonoids, and silica sources are excellent for helping to strengthen the veins. The bioflavonoid rutin is especially helpful for strengthening the veins. It is often found in foods rich in quercetin since rutin can be a breakdown product of quercetin.

Stay away from things that reduce vitamin C levels such as caffeine, nicotine, steroidal medications, aspirin, etc. Stress also reduces vitamin C so keep your stress to a minimum.

Butcher's broom in particular is excellent for varicose veins as it not only strengthens the veins, but it also increases deeper circulation while constricting surface veins.

Vitamin K can also help. The best sources are dark green leafy vegetables.

[James]

One thing that really should have been added to the list though is silica. The strength and elasticity of veins is dependent on the structural proteins collagen and elastin. It is the decline of these structural proteins that lead to the weakness and varicosing of the veins. The article mentions vitamin C, which actually works by being a building block of collagen and elastin. They also mention gotu kola, which actually stimulates collagen synthesis. Silica though is also an important building block of collagen and elastin, and is a very common deficiency.