Medically reviewed by Lawrence Markovitz, MD, on October 18, 2023
There are so many products out there that promise instant results when it comes to your health. Herbal healing patches are the latest trend when it comes to treating your varicose veins.
Herbal healing patches claim to have “natural and rich herbal essences” that help soothe and relieve the inflammation and pain associated with swollen varicose veins. Unfortunately, herbal healing patches, along with creams and topical ointments, do not treat varicose veins. In fact, they do not even address surface-level causes. While they may seem to affect the skin cosmetically, they do not treat the root issue of varicose veins, which is the faulty valve that allows blood to flow backward in the wrong direction.
Varicose veins are those enlarged and twisted veins, often bluish-purple in color. They occur when the small, one-way valves in the veins weaken, and blood begins to collect in the veins, causing them to enlarge. Varicose veins can cause fatigue, restlessness, burning, throwing, or tingling feelings in the legs. These varicose veins are most common in the legs since leg veins must work against gravity more than other veins.
Varicose veins affect up to 25 percent of women and 15 percent of men during their lifetime.
There are multiple purported “natural” treatments for varicose veins. So far, however, the scientific support for these natural remedies is, for the most part, nonexistent.
Reported natural treatments for varicose veins include:
Essential oils of yarrow, grapevine, and sea pine are also often touted as natural remedies for varicose veins. These alleged natural treatments are far from effective, however. In truth, many people seek out anything to avoid undergoing a surgical procedure to address their varicose veins. Thankfully, the days of painful vein stripping and ligation are over. Today, there are multiple minimally invasive varicose vein treatments that require only local anesthesia, allow you to return to your normal life the next day, and are actually effective at getting rid of your varicose veins!
The only natural means of reducing discomfort associated with varicose veins include things like reducing your sodium intake, increasing your amount of exercise, and quitting smoking. To get rid of your varicose veins entirely, you need to have them examined and treated by an experienced vascular professional.
There are numerous treatments available that effectively treat the “broken” valves in varicose veins. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA), as well as Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy, are some of the most popular and effective forms of treatment.
RFA and EVLA are similar minimally invasive procedures that use a thin fiber that is inserted directly into the abnormal vein. The procedure is typically done within 45 minutes, using local anesthesia, and the patient is typically back to normal activities following the process that day!
Ultrasound-guided Sclerotherapy is another easy form of treatment that is typically used in conjunction with ablation procedures. During this minimally invasive medical procedure, your experienced Center for Vein Restoration vein physician uses ultrasound imaging to precisely locate and guide the injection of a sclerosing solution into the affected veins. The sclerosing solution causes the vein to collapse and eventually fade, effectively improving both the appearance and symptoms associated with varicose veins.
Learn more about outpatient varicose vein and spider vein treatments here.
Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) is America’s largest physician-led vein center, treating 200,000 patients every year and receiving a 98 percent patient satisfaction rating. CVR offers complete treatment plans provided by board-certified vein doctors who are specially trained in the latest vein closure techniques that will get you in, out, and on your way with healthy, comfortable legs.
Call 240-965-3915 to speak to a Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at one of CVR’s 110+ vein clinic locations.
CVR accepts many insurances, including Aetna, Amerigroup, Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, MultiPlan, Medicaid, Medicare, and more.
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