Understanding Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are unsightly and sometimes painful, swollen or knotted veins that are usually located on the legs. They are the result of poor circulation and diminished elasticity in the walls of the veins.
There are two interconnected systems of veins in the legs – the deep and the “superficial” The veins that are vulnerable to varicose symptoms are the surface or “superficial” level veins.
Although not dangerous, varicose veins can be unsightly and physically uncomfortable.
Some Reasons for the development of varicose veins are:
- Lack of exercise
- Standing for too long
- Being overweight
- As an occasional symptom of pregnancy
- Poor nutrition
- Muscular tissue inactivity around veins (often hormonal)
Varicose veins can also be a hereditary condition. If members of your family suffer from them, then you might be predisposed to deal with them as well if you haven’t started to already.
A good reason to take precautionary measures! I’ll discuss some precautionary measures later in the post.
Which Essential Oils Should You Use?
You want to use oils that will provide localized support to the affected area and help to help ease and improve circulation.
The following essentials oils contain the qualities mentioned above which are known to increase circulation, support vein health and diminish varicose veins.
- Yarrow
- Rose
- Cypress
- Geranium
- Virginian Cedar-wood
- Clary sage
- Frankincense
- Myrrh
- Hyssop
6 Essential oil Based Recipes for Varicose Veins
1.) Simple Hot / Cold Foot Bath Blend
Ingredients:
Directions:
- Fill one bowl with cold water (optional ice cubes)
- Fill another bowl with hot water
- Add 3 drops lavender to the cold water
- Add 3 drops geranium to the hot water
- Place both feet in the cold water. Leave them there for five minutes
- Next, place both feet in the hot water. Leave them there for five minutes
The cold constricts your blood vessels and the hot dilates them. This helps circulation and relieves tired and swollen legs. If desired, follow up with a leg massage using one of the massage recipes mentioned above.
2.) Simple Varicose Massage Blend
Ingredients:
- 4 tsp carrier oil (argan, coconut, sesame, jojoba, grapeseed, macadamia)
- 10 drops geranium
- 10 drops neroli
- 5 drops cypress
Directions:
- Combine essential oils and carrier oil in a 1 oz (30ml) glass bottle.
- Shake to blend.
- Use about 1 tsp of this mixture to massage your legs twice daily.
- Using one hand and a gentle grip start at the ankles and stroke firmly but gently upward on either side of the varicose veins (never directly over them)
- Elevate legs after massaging
3.) Simple Yarrow Based Massage Blend for Varicose Veins
Yarrow supports your veins by stimulating and increasing a slow, sluggish circulation. This improves the appearance of varicose veins over time.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or other carrier oil)
- 4 drops yarrow
Directions:
- Combine yarrow with your carrier oil
- Starting from the ankles, gently massage on either side of the varicose veins (never directly over them)
- Progressively massage in the direction of the heart.
- Apply two or more times a daily.
- Elevate legs after massage
4.) Simple Varicose Vein Preventative Massage Oil
Good for those who are preventing varicose veins or to limit a preexisting condition to become exacerbated.
Ingredients:
- 10 drops geranium
- 10 drops cypress
- 5 drops peppermint
- 5 drops lemon
- 2 tablespoons carrier oil
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in a non-reactive bowl
- Massage the oil from your feet up your legs in the direction of your heart. Avoid massaging directly on the varicose veins, instead of massaging on either side of the veins
- Apply this massage oil twice daily, or more if desired.
- Elevate legs after massage
5.) Simple Daytime & Nighttime Massage Oil Blends
Daytime Varicose Massage Oil
Ingredients:
- 15 drops cypress
- 10 drops geranium
- 5 drops hyssop
- 2 tablespoons carrier oil
Nighttime Varicose Massage Oil
Ingredients:
- 30 drops parsley
- 2 tablespoons carrier oil
Directions:
- Combine ingredients
- Using one hand and a gentle grip start at the ankles and stroke firmly but gently upward on either side of the varicose veins (never directly over them)
- Apply daily, morning and night
- Elevate legs after massaging
6.) Simple Circulatory System Boosting Baths
When you take a bath add 8 to 10 drops of circulatory tonics like rosemary or juniper.
This will help your circulatory system function better as a whole
Additional (non-essential oil related) Tips for Varicose Veins
Avoid standing all day
People who stand all day are at greater risk of developing varicose veins because the blood is unable to circulate adequately. If your job requires you to stand all day, be sure to take frequent breaks. If you have a lunch hour try to get in the habit of going for a walk. The same advice goes if you sit in an office chair all day. Take a walk and get the blood moving!
Get Some Support Stockings / Tights
Stockings are an easy way to boost circulation and improve the functionality of your veins.
It used to be that sporting support leggings caused a bit of an eyesore in and of themselves. And most were uncomfortable to boot. But nowadays there are some very comfortable and stylish options available that provide the support you want for prevention.
Stockings won’t completely alleviate the condition itself once it has set in – since they cannot provide enough pressure on a dilated vein to send the blood as needed. But they can provide comfort by helping to relieve the discomforts and tiredness associated with varicose veins.
Eat well and avoid Constipation
Constipation can exacerbate varicose veins due to the tension from bowel movements. If you are prone to constipation it would be a good idea to do some research on diet and adjust the foods you eat to avoid becoming constipated in the future.
Utilize cold compression when needed
To help reduce excess swelling of your veins apply a cold compress soaked in witch hazel lotion when necessary.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article has been helpful for you.
If you have any questions, comments or recommendations of your own please let us know in the comment section below!
8 thoughts on “Relief! 6 Essential Oil Based Remedies for Varicose Veins”
That’s interesting. Some of the most fit people I know have varicose veins in their legs. I have a friend that is a professional mountain biker and he eats only the highest quality food, definitely isn’t overweight, and exercises intensely pretty much every single day. I am assuming that it’s either not varicose veins, or there could be some other factors. Do you think he should go see a treatment center and they can tell him what he should do? I love essential oils though! Maybe I should have him try a few of these recipes!
Hi Chase. It’s actually pretty common for athletes, especially bicyclists, to develop varicose veins. The pressure and strain from endurance activities can cause blockages in the veins structure and the blood builds up in the vein as it is unable to return to the heart.
I’d recommend that he does some of his own research on his varicose veins. If he isn’t suffering any physical pain from them and doesn’t find them too unsightly I’d recommend that he apply some simple and noninvasive techniques, like using essential oils, to try to diminish their appearance. If they are causing him physical discomfort, though, then yes it might be best for him to visit a treatment center.
My mother suffers from the pain of varicose veins and she hasn’t found a treatment that works, naturally. Using these essential oil blends is definitely worth a try! I will suggest these recipes to her! Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome Ethel. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Wishing the best for you and your mother!
i have varicose veins for Almost
20years I have went through
3 Surgeries to strip of the infected varicose veins,and 1
Laser Tteatment to burn off the varicose veins,The surgeries are all useless after surgeries about 5years later varicose veins starts to Appear Again,
And I don’t want surgeries Anymore if your Recommendation of Those
Essential oils can help to Reduce
The Bulging veins and the Discolouration of my Both legs skin pigmentation i will be a Happy man,i’m 55years old
If you Have any other Remedies
Please Email me,
Thank you so much.
Hello Loren, Nice site you have and lots of good information. I’m an essential oil person and we are forever learning. Have a customer with some varicose veins trying to find something that will help her. Would like to make a cream for her to use. also have a customer with Psoriasis any ideas on this. 🙂
Hi, thanks for the useful info!
Can I still use the hot n cold ‘water dip’,- I have a v. vien on left foot , going up to the front of my ankle ( think it started from wearing ‘ tightly tied’ boots during winter- have tiny sight of a v.v. back calf of right leg- long time, but hasn’t ever got worse… do have ‘ spider viens’, just on legs… ( the iron for anemia, last two years- think I probably ‘ had’ awhile before ‘ discovered’
Thank you, Sylvia.
We need vericose veins essential oils