Can CBD Oil Soothe Varicose Vein Symptoms?
CBD oils are all the rage lately, but will they help soothe the symptoms associated with varicose veins?
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil has recently been touted as a remedy for everything from arthritis to anxiety. But can it also alleviate the distressing symptoms of varicose veins, including pain, swelling, cramping, itching, and heaviness? Research done in recent years supports CBD as a possible antidote for chronic pain and inflammation. On the other hand, there’s a lack of evidence on the benefits of CBD on varicose veins to date.
So should you try CBD oil if you have varicose veins? As a generally safe, at-home therapy for the symptoms of varicose veins, CBD oil could reduce discomfort — but it won’t cure your symptoms for good.
CBD Oil and Varicose Veins
CBD is one of two major chemical components of cannabis, which also contains an agent known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When CBD is separated from THC, the resulting CBD compound doesn’t produce an intoxicating reaction, or the “high” typically associated with cannabis. At the same time, CBD is reported to have a soothing effect, which is why it’s so commercially in-demand.
So far, much of the research on cannabis has focused on its potential pain-reduction properties; one 2010 study successfully concluded that medical marijuana reduced the severity of pain and improved sleep in subjects reporting neuropathic pain. But can CBD oil alone do the same?
An article published by Harvard Medical School notes that several studies show CBD oil can relieve pain by interacting with our body’s endocannabinoid system, which controls pain perception and mood. However, the article stresses that those studies were performed on animals, not humans. In another animal study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, CBD reduced inflammation in rats, leading the authors to conclude the substance could be a useful treatment for acute inflammation and pain.
Given its nonpsychoactive effect and low risk for abuse, CBD has been advertised as a safe alternative for pain relief. Yet very little research has explored the specific effects of CBD on varicose veins. Furthermore, if you do decide to use CBD oil, it’s wise to check with your doctor first; it may interact negatively with medications you’re already taking for other conditions.
One option for varicose vein relief might be hemp oil extracted from hemp seeds. Hemp and marijuana are from the same species of plant, but hemp contains less THC than marijuana. What hemp also contains are good fatty acids like omega 6 and omega 3, which are said to thin blood. When the blood thins through the veins, varicose veins diminish in appearance. Hemp oil smoothed on the skin may reduce the itching sensation around varicose veins, as well.
As with any herbal remedy, consult with your doctor or vein specialist before either ingesting CBD or using CBD as a lotion. The Mayo Clinic recommends dosages of between 2.5 and 20 milligrams daily for chronic pain. The clinic also points out that different products on the market vary in CBD levels and quality. So caution is needed when choosing a CBD product.
Although CBD may reduce the painful symptoms of varicose veins, the only method to rid yourself of those painful, enlarged veins is through surgery. Luckily, current varicose vein treatments are minimally invasive and require no to little anesthesia. Done in a brief office visit, you’ll be ready to resume your normal activities in mere hours.
Learn More About Varicose Veins
At Center for Vein, we take pride in helping our patients understand what causes varicose veins and guiding them to select the best treatment option for their specific condition, goals, and needs. We offer the latest in diagnostic and surgical techniques to restore your vein health. Schedule your appointment today.