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Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are characterized by enlarged, swollen, elongated, and/or twisted and bent veins.

Symptoms

In the initial stages of varicose veins, the affected veins become more tense and stiff. This is discernible by touch, but cannot be seen. As the condition progresses, the veins become more enlarged and twisted, appearing as bluish, blackish elevations above the rest of the surrounding skin. Other symptoms, which are not directly related to the size or degree of the varicose veins, can include aches in the surrounding area, leg fatigue, itching, burning, or heat that seems relieved by elevating the legs or wearing stockings that compress the legs. The most common sites of varicose veins are the back of lower leg, the calves, and along the inside of the lower and upper legs.

Types
In addition to varicose veins that occur on the legs, other types of varicose veins include varicocele (varicose veins in the scrotum), hemorrhoids (varicose veins in the anus), and esophageal varices (varicose veins in the esophagus).

Causes
The primary causes of varicose veins are nutritional deficiencies, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, regular standing for extended periods at a time, pregnancy, and hormonal changes at pregnancy or menopause.

Self-Care Tips

Aromatherapy
Add cypress as bath oil to baths. Lavender, juniper, rosemary, and lemon essential oils can be massaged around the affected areas (do not massage the veins directly).

Diet
Eat an organic, whole foods diet that emphasizes lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as plenty of pure, filtered water. The following foods can be especially helpful fresh organic berries and cherries, organic citrus fruits, buckwheat, millet, garlic, and onions. Also eat plenty of fish and minimize your red meat intake. In addition, avoid unhealthy fats, refined carbohydrates, sugar, salt, alcohol, fried foods, processed and refined foods, and milk and dairy products.

Herbs
Combine equal parts of the tinctures of hawthorn, ginkgo, prickly ash, and yarrow and take one teaspoon of this mixture three times a day. Topically, you can also apply a lotion made of ten parts distilled witch hazel and one part tincture of horse chestnut to help ease any discomfort. Cayenne pepper and ginger root are also recommended.

Homeopathy
Useful homeopathic remedies include Calc fluor., Hamamelis, Pulsatilla, Calc carb., and Carbo veg.

Hydrotherapy
Cold compresses applied to the affected veins can soothe painful symptoms.

Juice Therapy
Excellent juicing remedies include the following combinations: carrot, celery, and parsley; carrot, spinach, and turnip; carrot, beet, and cucumber; carrot, celery, and spinach; and watercress.

Lifestyle
Wear support stockings and exercise regularly. Walking barefoot as much as possible is also excellent.

Nutritional Supplementation
Recommended nutrients include vitamin C with bioflavonoids, vitamin B complex, vitamin, B6, vitamin D3, vitamin E, calcium, folic acid, magnesium, lecithin, essential fatty acids, proteolytic enzymes (taken away from meals), and rutin.

Caution

TB is contagious and requires immediate medical attention.

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