The body’s veins are designed to collect “used” blood from tissues throughout the body and return it to the heart and lungs. To make sure blood always travels in the right direction, the veins are filled with tiny one-way valves. As columns of blood move through the veins, these valves snap shut behind them, preventing the blood from slipping backward.
It’s an ingenious system, but it isn’t always effective because the valves occasionally weaken and lose their strength. This often happens in the leg veins because the blood, affected by gravity, is harder to push upward. When the valves “slip,” blood flows backward, forming pools of accumulated blood. Over time, more and more blood flows into these pools, causing the veins to swell. After a while the veins get so large or discolored that they become visible through the skin. These are known as varicose veins.
Doctors sometimes inject medicines that seal off the damaged veins, forcing blood to find other, more efficient routes. But there are also natural remedies that can help, two of which were commonly used by Native Americans.
According to herbal expert James A. Duke, Ph.D., eating raw violet flowers is probably the best place to begin. Violet flowers contain a compound called rutin, which has been shown to help fortify capillary walls. Eating several teaspoonsful of violet flowers a day (pansies may also be used) can make a real difference, says Dr. Duke. Other natural remedies that may increase capillary strength include hawthorn berries and horse chestnuts.
There’s some evidence that you can also strengthen veins from the outside by applying witch hazel, available as a liquid or tincture in pharmacies and health food stores, says Dr. Duke. Some herbalists believe that drinking witch hazel tea can also strengthen the veins.
These herbal treatments will be most effective when you’re also eating a diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. These foods are high in fiber, which, by preventing constipation and the attendant straining that increases pressure on blood vessels, can also help prevent varicose veins. Regular exercise makes a big difference, too, because moving the muscles also moves the veins, helping to thrust blood in the right direction.
This Varicose Veins Treatment article is taken from :
Healing Secrets of the Native Americans - Porter Shimer
