5 Natural Ways To Eliminate Spider Veins
Spider veins, which can become varicose veins, are dark-looking lines that develop on the surface of the skin and look similar to a spider’s web. While they’re most common in women during menopause, they are also common during pregnancy and puberty, and are also linked to birth control pills, obesity, sedentary lifestyles (or, at least, sitting or standing for long periods of time) and circulation problems. The cause? Weaknesses in the vein walls, which lead to pools of blood, which develop into spider veins. The good news is, they are typically asymptomatic and don’t pose any real health risks. Even better – there are quite a few effective home treatments, so a daily routine of exercise, resting, and massage can prevent or even avoid laser treatments.
The first herbal treatment is witch hazel – which can be used topically, but can also be used orally. Witch hazel is an effective external treatment for many skin problems, including both spider and varicose veins, as well as reducing puffiness and acne. The most common treatment involves soaking a cotton ball in the extract, then applying it directly to the affected area(s) a few times a day until the marks reduce. Most natural food stores and drug stores will have distilled witch hazel in stock.
Gingko biloba, while helping with memory problems, has been proven to strengthen the tissues that form vein walls as well as improve circulation and improve cell oxygenation. The recommended dose is 40 mg at 50:1 standardized extract, three times a day until the spider veins lessen or disappear, then it’s suggested to reduce ingestion to one or two times a day to prevent them from reappearing.
Vitamin E has also been known to help increase blood flow and strengthen veins as well as increase the overall health of one’s skin. This important vitamin is needed to keep platelets from sticking together and from sticking to the walls of blood vessels. This is also great news for those who are at high risk for type 1 diabetes or blood clots.
Apple cider vinegar, one of the most important and useful things to have around the house, is another common remedy for spider veins, by increasing circulation to the problem area. Saturating a cloth with apple cider vinegar and applying it to the area as a compress for fifteen to twenty minutes is the most common treatment. It’s recommended to do this treatment once or twice a day for a least one month to reap the full benefits.
As for non-topical or supplement solutions, compression socks and low-intensity exercises such as swimming, slow biking, and walking are great options. Stay away from exercise that involves sudden pressure on the veins like rebounding, running, and lifting weights, as this will only exacerbate the problem. Another thing that will help is either lessening or eliminating the use of alcohol altogether, as it weakens vein walls.
Avoid using over-the-counter or specialty creams that say they’ll cure spider veins, as they tend to be expensive and ineffective. In fact, the Mayo Clinic has released statements that these treatments are not only ineffective, but are also not evaluated by the FDA and can actually do more harm than good. Any mineral oil or favorite lotion (without alcohols) being massaged into the skin will feel good and help the healing process.
