Ease varicosity which is most commonly affected are those in the legs & feet through yoga & naturopathy. Regular exercise and yoga can increase body’s ability to pump blood up the leg back towards the heart.
Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins that are swollen & raised above the surface of the skin . They can be dark purple or blue. Any vein may develop varicose, but the veins most commonly affected in legs & feet, particularly the back of the calves or on the inside of the legs. This is because prolonged standing & walking increases the pressure in the vein of the lower body.
Causes :
1. Family history or hereditary
2. Overweight or obesity
3. Pregnancy
4. Aging
5. Prolonged standing or sitting.
Types of vericose veins:
1. Reticular vericose : Red veins , which cluster together to form a network.
2. Telangiectasia PR spider vein: Also known as thread veins . They are small blue or red veins that appear on the surface of our skin.
3. Trunk varicose vein: They are thick, lumpy ,veins develop near the surface of the skin . Extremely visible & often quite long & can look unpleasant.
Symptoms :
Burning, aching, muscle cramping & swelling in the lower legs. Itching , itchy & thin skin over the affected vein , an achy or heavy and uncomfortable feeling in the legs . In severe cases ulceration will be there.
Treatments (Applications & Packs):
1) Apply grape seed oil daily to the affected veins . The antioxidants in grapes restore the elasticity of blood vessels and promotes collagen formation.
2) Cabbage + marigold application to the varicose areas for 30 mins. Thus it improves the lymphatic circulation.
3) Reverse massage to legs with virgin coconut oil followed by ice cube massage to improve the blood circulation towards the heart (pumps the stagnant blood towards heart).
4) Dip the cotton bandage in apple cider vinegar and tie over the varicose area leave for half an hour. Remove and wash legs in cold water
5) Apply juice from 2 ripened tomatoes on the affected areas, 3 times a day for 2 months. Don’t remove seeds. Because they contain natural anticoagulant that strengthens the veins.
6) Heat olive oil, warm it, dip in cotton pad & place over it. The fatty acid and vitamin E in olive oil tone the valves of blood vessels, making it easier for blood to pass through.
7) 10 cloves of garlic + 4 tbspn of olive oil + 3 lemon grind it in a mixie & filter it , keep juice seperate for 12 hours ( 2 times a day for 2 months ). Application this mixture has anti – inflammatory & antioxidant properties . It reduces swelling & restores the structure of veins.
8) Carrot juice 1 tbspn + olive oil 1 tbspn + ACV 1 tbspn rub this mixture into the veins 3 times a day for a month to relive inflammation & swelling of the vessels.
9) If pain and discomfort means , take witch hazel oil , add 15 drops in a warm bath for 15 mins. Tannins & flavonoids from witch hazel relive pain & discomfort in varicose vein.
10) Horse chestnut gel cream , rub 3 times a day . The glycosides of the horse chest nut seeds prefectly relieve inflammation & swelling.
11) Clogged blood vessels – heat 4 cup water with 1 cup marigold leaves . Boil for 5 mins. Make a warm compress with cotton pad.
12) Therapeutic clay (mud) with stocking, helps to narrow the vessels and increase blood flow to the tissues.
How exercises helps prevent varicose veins:
Simply changing the sitting or standing position regularly can change and improve blood circulation, which helps reduce the amount of blood swelling. Exercise can increase body’s ability to pump blood up the leg back towards the heart.
1. Walking or running : Walking just 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week can yield good benefits . Try to find a grassy surface or synthetic track to minimize the stress on joints.
2. Leg lifts : Sit or lie on back, lift one leg at a time up , holding it in the air. Slowly lower it down & repeat with the other leg.
3. Bicycling or bicycle legs : Regular bicycling can strengthen calf muscles & promote healthy blood flow. While lying on back, put legs in the air, bending at the knee, pedal them slowly as bicycling. Try both legs at once or alternate one at a time.
4. Lunges : Lunges work many different in groups in your feet & calves . When these muscles are strong & healthy , they can help blood flowing in the right direction. Stand with legs apart. Step forward slowly, bending knee and making sure to keep knee directly above ankle . Hold it, then slowly straight leg and step back to original position. Repeat with the other leg. While standing with legs straight , rise up tiptoes & then lower back down, repeat.
5. Rocking feet : Stretching out the muscles in your feet also helps improve muscle strength & circulation.While sitting or standing, rock feet back & forth from heel to toe. This can be done at any time & is also helpful if health prevents from trying other forms of exercise.
6. Elevate your legs : Begin by lying on the back on the floor or on bed . Next , raise legs straight up in the air . If necessary, prop them against the wall. Hold this position for a few minutes & then lower the legs to the ground. Repeat as necessary.
7 Yoga poses that help with varicose veins:
”Science teaches about the law of gravitation, which pulls the energy downwards but yoga teaches about the law of grace that which raise the energy upwards”.
Yoga has always been stressing on the importance of the inverted asana as it improves the circulation to the upper body. Due to gravitation and aging, there is lesser circulation to the lower body. In the same way, blood reaching down to the lower extremities does not return back to the heart properly. Blood has got to get back again. When performing inverted pose, like resting with the feet up against wall, gravity plays important role in returning blood & removing the blocks in the veins.
1) Tadasana : This is one of the most basic yogasana , and it helps you to achieve the right body alignment . Keeps legs toned. It also strengthens the knees, thighs & ankles. While all muscles work to maintain the posture, the stress in limbs is released, thereby alleviating the pressure.
2) Uttanasana : This asana exhances the circulation of blood throughout the body . It gives your legs a good stretch , especially the thighs & calves , which are the likely spots of varicose veins . The regular practise of this asana reduces the pain in the legs.
3)Navasana : When practising this asana, your legs are elevated. Hence the pools of blood and lymph flow upwards . The pressure on the veins is instantly reduced. The few seconds of suspension builds strength & allows you to fight the pain.
4) Viparitakarani : This asana is extremely relaxing for your legs . Fatigued legs benefits a lot from it. It enhances blood circulation & flushes out toxins & other products. This stress in the legs is released, & pressure is reduced. This greatly helps the cause of varicose veins.
5) Saravangasana : The shoulder stand is a full body inversion, where your body works against gravity . The blood circulation in the body is enhanced , & the pools of lymph and blood drain into the heart . This asana is also very relaxing for the legs . All in all , it works extremely well in defense against varicose veins .
6) Matsyasana : The matsyasana is one of the best yoga poses for varicose veins. It stretches your feet & legs & relieves stress and cramps . Legs are relaxed , & the blood flow throughout the body is regulated.
7) Pawanmuktasana : This asana moves around the stagnant lymph & venous blood. It also relives cramps & fatigue from the legs. It helps loosen the muscles and joints in the hips & knees. This asana is said to prevent venous thrombosis in those who have sedentary lifestyles.
Dietary management:
Vegetables – Lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, onion, garlic, spinach, celery, peas, beans, carrot, ginger.
Fruits – Berries, grapes, grapefruits, pineapple, pomegranate, mosambi, lemon, apple, strawberry, avocado, blackberry, banana, pear, craneberry.
Tree nuts – Walnuts, almond, hazelnuts, cashews, pista, brazilnut.
Fish – Mackerel, trout, herring , salmon, albacore tuna.
Drinks – Green tea, grape juice, pineapple juice, cinnamon tea , turmeric tea.
1.Lima beans: Most fibrous food is healthier for veins, and few fruits and vegetables have a lot of fiber like lima beans. Just 1 cup has 13.2 gms, half of the daily recommended amount for women. Fiber keeps both your cholestrol and your digestive system working properly, both of which can put a strain on your veins.
2. Straberries: Strawbeeries and other colourful fruits are packed with bioflavonoids. These antioxidants are necessary for good heart and circulatory health, & good circulation is an important part of vein health. They also contain anti -inflammatory properties, which can help reduce swelling associated varicose veins & strengthen the vein walls.
3. Apples: Apples contain some bioflavanoids called pectin that also offer anti – inflammatory properties. It even has the potential to help prevent blood clots .
4. Bell peppers: Vitamins C may be good for preventing colds & flue, but it also help keep your vein health in check. It strengthens the collagen and elastin in the vein walls. Allowing them to expand & contract when they are under pressure . Bell peppers, particularly the red ones , are one among vitamin – packed vegetable that can be consumed.
5. Broccoli: Broccoli also happens to contain plenty of vitamin C, but it has the added benefits of being high in vitamin E . Vitamin E can help reduce the risk of developing DVT.
6. Spinach: One cup of cooked spinach has a much fiber as a cup of corn. One cup of green stuff also offers up to 223% of your daily recommended vit – K intake.
7.Watercress: Vit – K offering 312% of the daily.The green is low in calories & rich in vit C & E , B, Fiber , B2 , B6 , carotenes , manganese, iron , ca+ .
8. Avocados: Rich in vit C & E , also extremely high amounts of antioxidants called glutathione ( a tripeptide molecule that protects heart , veins , artery , from oxidant damage). It helps the vit C & E work more efficiently & can protect your heart & vein health.
9. Blueberries: Due to their high concentration of anthocyanin, blueberries contribute to the health of the collagen matrix by neutralizing enzymes that destroy connective tissue and by scavenging free radicals. They also repair damaged protein in the blood vessel walls & promote the overall health of the vascular system . A good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber such as pectin . Further more, compared to other to other berries, blueberries are a good source of vit -E.
10.Ginger: Having ability to dissolve fibrin in blood vessels & to improve circulation, people with varicose vein have an impaired ability to break down fibrin ( fibrin is what causes veins to become lumpy and hard ).
11. Beets: Betacyanin , a phytochemical compound responsible for beets intense color. Beets intense color is known to significantly reduce levels of homocysteine, a naturally occurring amino acid that can damage blood vessels.
12. Chia seeds or flaxseeds: High fibre foods like chia seeds or flax seeds helps to improve heart health & support digestive functions and preventing bloating & increased pressure on the abdomen & legs. Not having enough fiber in diet means, it arise constipation and the straining caused when trying to pass a stool can create pressure in the veins of the lower rectum, potentially leading to the formation of hemorrhoids & varicose vein.
13. Blackberries: High antioxidant foods like blueberries help strengthen veins , improve arterial health & fight inflammation Blackberries also contain a flavonoid known as rutin which is antioxidant, anti – inflammatory, vasoprotective .
Dr.Nandhini V. Mohan & Dr Venkataramana Hegde
Veda wellness center
Nisarga Mane Sirsi
Uttarakannada District
Ph: 9597019032/ 9448729434
Email : nisargamane6@gmail.com
