Cardiovascular System Herbal Protocol
VARICOSE VEINS
Illness/ Disease Definition
- Elated, dilated, tortuous veins whose valves are congenitally absent or scant or have become incompetent; this condition usually occurs in the legs.
- Varicose veins are enlarged superficial veins in the legs.
Etiology (causes)
- Inadequate support of vein walls due to heredity, obesity, aging, and posture.
- Increased resistance to the free flow of blood back into the trunk due to pregnancy, thrombosis, tumors, or tight clothing.
Incidence
Varicose Veins are a common problem that affects between 10% and 20% of the population. Incidence increases with age, and it is most common in people older than 50. In addition, varicose veins are four times more common in women than in men.
Allopathic Treatments
Allopathic treatments do not cure varicose veins, they only relieve symptoms.
- Wearing elastic stockings (support hose)
- Elevating the legs – by lying down or by using a footstool when sitting.
- Surgical removal of the veins
- Injection therapy
Signs and Symptoms | Body System Afected |
Phlebitis (inflammation of vein) Pain (not always) | CARDIOVASCULAR |
Dermatitis Itching Purple Spider Veins | INTEGUMENTARY (skin) |
Actions needed: Vascular Tonics, Circulatory Stimulants, Astringents, Anti-inflammatories, Emollients and Demulcents
HERB | ACTIONS |
HAWTHORN Crataegus spp. *Tea/tincture | Antispasmodic, Astringent, Diuretic, Hypotensive, Sedative, Tonic (Vascular), Vasodilator |
PRICKLY ASH Zanthoxylum americanum *Tea/tincture | Alterative, Anodyne, Antirheumatic, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Hepatic, Irritant, Stimulant (Circulatory), Tonic |
GINGKO Gingko biloba *Tincture | Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Bitter, Neuroprotective, Nutritive, Relaxant, Stimulant (Circulatory), Stimulant (Uterine), Tonic (Vascular), Vasodilator |
YARROW Achillea millefolium *Tea/tincture | Anti-hemorrhagic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antipyretic, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Bitter, Carminative, Cholertic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Hemostatic, Hepatic, Hypotensive, Peripheral Vasodilator, Styptic, Tonic (Vascular), Vulnerary |
HORSE CHESTNUT Aesculus hippocastanum *Tincture | Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Bitter, Diuretic, Expectorant, Febrifuge, Tonic (Vascular) |
ST. JOHN’S WORT (OIL) Hypericum perforatum *oil for external use only | Anti-depressant, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Expectorant, Nervine Relaxant, Tonic (Nervine), Vulnerary |
COMFREY Symphytum officinale *external use only | Anodyne, Anti-inflammatory, Astringent, Demulcent, Emollient, Expectorant, Hemostatic, Refrigerant, Vulnerary |
CALENDULA Calendula officinales | Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Antiviral, Astringent, Aperient, Cholagogue, Demulcent, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Emollient, Immuno-stimulant, Lymphatic, Vulnerary |
WITCH HAZEL Hamamelis virginiana *external use only | Anti-inflammatory, Astringent, Hemostatic, Sedative, Tonic |
WOOD BETONY Stachys officinalis | Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Anticatarrhal, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-tumor, Aphrodisiac, Astringent, Bitter, Carminative, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Hypotensive, Nervine Relaxant, Sedative, Tonic (Vascular), Vulnerary |
FORMULAS
Topical Salve: Calendula, Comfrey, Wood Betony, Witch Hazel Bark, St. John’s Wort Oil
Tincture: One Part each: Hawthorn, Prickly Ash, Gingko, Yarrow, Horse Chestnut. Take up to 5ml of tincture three times a day
For External Use: 80ml Distilled Witch Hazel, 10ml Horse Chestnut tincture, 10 ml Comfrey tincture. Apply liberally as needed to ease irritation and discomfort.
Contra-indications:
- Calendula- Do not use if pregnant or breast-feeding.
- Comfrey- Do not take internally. Do not use if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not give to young children. Limit external application of mature leaves to intact skin to 10 days.
- Gingko- Do not use if pregnant. Use caution if taking blood thinners.
- Hawthorn- High doses can cause low blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and sedation. May interact with various medications. Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you know how this herb affects you.
- Horse Chestnut- Do not use if pregnant or breast-feeding. Use caution if taking blood thinners. Do not use if you have a bleeding disorder. May turn urine red.
- Prickly Ash- Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or trying to become pregnant. Do not use while taking Antabuse, aspirin or other drugs containing salicylates, or blood thinners.
- St. John’s Wort- May reduce the half life of some medications. Please check all drug interactions. Do not use if pregnant or breast-feeding.
- Witch Hazel- Do not use if pregnant or breast-feeding. Do not use internally.
- Wood Betony- Do not use if pregnant (may stimulate uterus). Use with caution- may cause liver damage or upset stomach.
- Yarrow- Do not use if pregnant or breast-feeding. Long term use can lead to photosensitivity and rashes. Use with caution if you’re drinking alcohol, taking CNS depressants, Antabuse, blood thinners, or drugs that lower blood pressure.
Recommendations for Diet and Lifestyle
Diet:
- Eat a heart-healthy diet.
- Drink Water
Supplements:
- Vitamin A: 10,000 IU/day
- Vitamin B Complex: 10 to 100 mg/day
- Vitamin C with bioflavonoids: 1 to 3 g/day
- Vitamin E: 200 to 600 IU/day
- Magnesium: 800mg to 1200mg/day
- Zinc: 15 to 30mg/day
Lifestyle Recommendations:
- Avoid tight, restrictive clothing.
- Gentle exercise, such as walking and stretching. (More vigorous exercises that involve repeated impact can exacerbate varicose veins.)
- For at least 10 minutes each day, rest with your legs higher than your head. (Alternatively, you could elevate the foot of your bed 6 to 12 inches to promote venous return from the legs while you sleep.)
References & Resources:
Foundations of Medicinal Herbalism, Teresa Boardwine RH.
Jolene’s Herbalism Pages. https://herbalism.seldomrealms.com/.
Medical Herbalism, David Hoffman, FNIMH
The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines, Charles W. Fetrow, Pharm.D. & Juan R. Avila, Pharm.D.
The Merck Manual of Medical Information: Home Edition, Robert Berkow, M.D. & Mark H. Beers, M.D. & Andrew J. Fletcher, M.B., B.Chir. , 1997.