The dandelion, queen of weeds, shows us simplicity, beauty, resilience and stamina.
Pam Broekemeier
Varicose veins are part of getting older for some of us. As our bodies start taking the tole of our past years, it starts to show physically. You could say that is a sign of learned knowledge. But, for most of us, we would rather not show so many signs of getting older.
For now, lets take a look at one physical feature that many people are concerned about, and those are varicose veins. We’ll look at what they are, how they come to be and some natural ways one can try to subdue them.
Varicose veins are enlarged veins that have pushed themselves outward, just below the skin. They are most commonly found on the legs and feet, yet can affect any vein in the body.
Example of varicose veins
Most are harmless. They are just a cosmetic issue for some people.
For some, varicose veins can be painful or sore. They can also cause issues for blood circulation. That can bring on swollen ankles, itchy skin and achy limbs.
Veins are continually working against the forces of gravity as they push blood back to the heart. Veins must be kept healthy and strong to maintain this level of work.
How veins work
There are “valves” in the veins that push the blood back to the heart. Valves and muscles work together to get the job done. So if the muscles weaken, so do the valves.
As the valves and muscles weaken, blood starts to pool in these areas, which leads to varicose veins.
A variety of things can cause the weakening of valves and muscles. Some of those include obesity, being sedentary (which causes muscles to weaken), standing for a long period of time, pregnancy, menopause, aging, genetics and walking.
Poor blood circulation is also key in varicose veins, and a number of other health issues. Lack of concentration and low energy levels can also be due to poor blood circulation. Here is an article from The Lost Herbs, DIY Lost Circulation Booster, that can shed more light on this topic and a way to correct the issue.
The primary symptom of varicose veins is visibility. They become swollen, misshapen veins on ones legs. Some people will also have pain, heaviness and achiness near these veins.
Swelling can also occur in the lower legs and ankles after standing for periods of time.
In severe cases, the veins can bleed and ulcers may form.
According to WebMD, varicose veins can sometimes be genetic, and women are twice as likely to develop them over men.
About 23% of Americans are affected in some way.
There are a number of things a person can do to help control and lessen the issue. The Mayo Clinic suggests exercise, elevating ones legs and wearing compression stockings.
Also, losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight can help minimize or prevent them as well.
Surgery is an option for those where lifestyle changes aren’t improving the condition or there is just too much pain. More information on surgical procedures can be found here.
Using herbs and plants is another way to deal with this issue.
One can look to herbs and plants to help with varicose veins in a natural way.
A number of herbs that can be used to minimize the effects of varicose veins are known as astringents. They help by tightening the tissues and getting them back to their original state, as best they can.
Some of these herbs include:
Helichrysum
(helichrysum italicum) is named after the golden yellow flowers of the plant, and comes from the Greek words helios meaning sun and chrysos meaning gold. A common name for it is Immortelle.
Helichrysum has many medicinal properties and is known for its restorative and rejuvenating properties. It helps heal scars and supports cell growth by encouraging the recycling of dead cells and stimulating production of new ones.
This yellow flower can also be used to help with inflammation and clears blood clots by liquefying/thinning them.
Helichrysum is an anti-oxidant as well.
Horse Chestnut
(aesculus hippocastanum), also known as buckeye in some parts, or conker tree in Europe.
Horse Chestnut supports blood circulation, thus helping those with varicose veins. As an astringent, it helps to tone vein walls which, when slack or distended, may become varicose, hemorrhoidal or otherwise problematic.
Aescin, a constituent found in horse chestnuts, performs an antioxidant function and has a general vasoprotective role by protecting collagen and elastin (the two chief proteins that form the structure of veins). There are multiple clinical studies showing that horse chestnut helps in reducing inflammation, alleviating circulatory problems affecting the legs and reducing varicose veins.
You can find our more about how horse chestnuts help with varicose veins in this article, “How to Treat Varicose Veins with Chestnuts“.
White Oak
(quercus alba) is a tree native to North America and was used by Native Americans for many conditions. Throughout history, it has been known as a symbol of strength and endurance.
White oak is an astringent, due to its high level of tannins, and helps with inflammation and skin conditions, such as varicose veins.
It is also an antiseptic, so helps control infection internally and externally.
White oak also contains quercetin, which helps in strengthening the capillaries and veins.
Did you know you can grind the acorns into a flour? Pretty cool!
Willow
(Salix alba) has been used medicinally for over 5000 years. It is native to Europe and Central Asia.
The bark is known as being the original pain reliever because it contains salacin, which the body converts to salicylic acid. Thus if helps reduce fevers, pain and inflammation. It takes a little longer to work, but lasts much longer then aspirin and has less side gastronomic side effects due to the large amounts of tannins that protect the stomach.
The inner and outer barks have slightly different concentrations of compounds for different ailments.
Willow bark’s high concentration of antioxidants make it very beneficial for the health of the skin. It increases blood flow to the skin, which helps to reduce wrinkles and age marks.
witch hazel
(Hamamelis virginiana) is a fairly common shrub found in North America. Native Americans used it to help treat skin irritations and tumors.
Witch hazel is a great skin treatment because of its astringent properties. It helps with stretch marks, wrinkles, acne, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. It is also good for itchy skin when dealing with chickenpox, eczema, bug bites and poison ivy.
Witch hazel’s ant-inflammatory properties also make it a go-to for diaper rash and sunburns. Regular application helps in healing the damaged skin quicker.
Daily use of witch hazel helps to kill bacteria living on the skin and supports cell growth. It also helps to remove excess oil from the skin.
Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium) originated in Europe. It can now be found in many parts of North America. The Greeks used yarrow over 3000 years ago to treat wounds. The genus name, Achillea, honors the Greek hero Achilles; who reportedly used yarrow for himself and for his soldiers as a treatment for battle wounds. Yarrow was also commonly used during the Civil War to stop wounds from bleeding.
When used topically, yarrow is wonderful for helping with skin issues, such as rashes, hemorrhoids, varicose veins or broken wounds. It supports blood circulation, reduces blood stagnation and helps to tone vein walls with its astringent properties.
Herbal Products or DIY
One can make their own creams or ointments to help with varicose veins by using some of the herbs mentioned above. One place to purchase these herbs is at Mountain Rose Herbs.
If one can’t or doesn’t have the time to make a cream or ointment, I offer a wonderful cream for varicose veins that not only helps minimize them, but softens and hydrates the skin as well.
Another way to utilize herbs in controlling or minimizing varicose veins is by using tinctures topically. Put the tincture directly on the varicose veins and let dry on the skin, or use a cloth soaked with the tincture to lay directly on the veins for a period of time.
Using this natural method will take a little bit of time to see results, so one has to be patient. It took years for the varicose veins to appear, so they won’t disappear overnight.
Sumac grows pretty abundantly here in the Midwest. You’ll see it along highways, roadsides, in parks and on the edges of yards.
I think it looks rather stately in late summer and early fall with its reddish fruit, called drupes, popping out from the green vegetation.
There is a poisonous sumac, but it has white berries. So its pretty easy to stay away from that particular plant. I had always thought all sumac was poisonous, but now I know better.
Sumac has a few different uses, from creating a beautiful natural backdrop, to being a refreshing beverage, to being a lemony spice to top off a food dish.
I never know sumac could be eaten, till a few years ago, when I came across an article for sumac-ade. So I had to give it a try, since I had a lot of wild sumac near me. And I have to say I was surprised at the refreshing taste, like a twist on lemonade!
Sumac-ade is made by putting the fruit in a large jar or bowl and running cold water over it. Let it sit for an hour or two and then strain out the fruit, leaving an infused lemony tasting beverage! Some people will make a hot infusion, but I think that brings out more tartness, so I prefer doing the cold water method.
You can get a sample of the lemony tart flavor by just rubbing your fingers on the fresh fruits and licking your fingers. But don’t do it after a rainfall, as it will wash away the flavor. Wait till the fruits are dry.
Sumac, in its many forms, can be found throughout the world. In the Middle East, the sumac fruit is ground up into a spice that they use on some of their dishes to give it that slight lemony taste. Za’atar is a spice blend using sumac. You can find the recipe here.
Sumac is very high in Vitamin C and I’ve heard it can be added to a homemade natural cough syrup. It is also an antioxidant.
I picked some sumac a few weeks ago and have let it dry. I’m now working on getting all the fruit off of the stems so I can grind it up and make some sumac spice. I’m anxious to try it on some of my food dishes.
Just need to find a coffee grinder first…
Resources and References:
http://www.backyardforager.com/sumac-a-necessary-spice/
http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/article/how-to-make-za-atar-spice-at-home
https://nowiveseeneverything.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/sumac-rhus-typhina-and-rhus-glabra/
Don’t you love the wonderful aroma of walking through a flower garden, or the whiff of lilacs in bloom? And doesn’t the smell make you feel good and refreshed?
By using aromatherapy inhalers, you can have your favorite scents with you all the time, and receive the benefits of the essential oils used in a particular inhaler.
Depending on what you want, using different essential oils can help how you feel, lift your spirits, relax you, offer immune support, give you energy, etc…
For instance, eucalyptus and balsam fir can help with your immunity; lavender and clary sage can help with sleep, and rosemary and orange can help you focus.
There are many places to look up how each essential oil may help you. I utilize the Aromahead Blog a lot to learn about different oils and their benefits.
Aromatherapy inhalers are very simple to use. You just unscrew the cap and inhale from the tube, counting slowly as you inhale, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The essential oil molecules get absorbed into your bloodstream via your nasal cavity and get dispersed throughout your body.
Not only are they simple to use, but they are small enough to take with you on the go. So you never have to be without one.
You can make your own inhalers or purchase them. I personally like to make mine because then I can create my own scents with the essential oils I have. The key to that is to write down how you make it, so if you really like it, you will know how to make it next time.
If you are a DIY’er, here is a site that can help get you started on a number of different blends.
I get my blank inhalers off of eBay because I like the price, and I get an array of colors. But there are many places on the internet and in stores, where you can purchase them.
If you are not up to making your own inhalers, you can purchase them. Many natural health food stores will sell them and you can find them at my Etsy shop.
Using an inhaler is a wonderful and simple way to help you enjoy a healthier lifestyle. So go ahead, and take a deep breath!
An herbal conference is a great way to learn about herbs and meet like minded people. You get a chance to meet and learn from well seasoned and knowledgeable herbalists.
And wow! What a great time I had at the 5th Annual Mid-Western Women’s Herbal Conference that was held in beautiful Almond, WI. For six days, I was in one class after another, learning about herbs in many perspectives. Classes overlapped and it was so hard to decide which classes to take and which to skip.
I participated in a pre-conference immersion course on Women’s Health. The instructor was Ilsa Burgess, an herbalist from New Zealand.
We went through a number of case studies (with students in the class as the clients), starting with symptoms, lifestyle and diet. Then we discussed plants and changes to lifestyle that could help the client to achieve the level of health they wanted. From our list of plants, we then narrowed it down to 2-3 plants and set up a dosage for the client.
It was a very informative class and Ilsa is a wonderful instructor! I love her style of teaching.
Friday through Sunday offered a variety of 1 1/2 hour sessions on a variety of topics, that ranged from the basics, such as making tinctures, to plant identification to the legalities of selling herbal products. The instructors were wonderful and so full of knowledge.
We had two keynote speakers, Susun Weed and Winona LaDuke. Both are excellent speakers and very knowledgeable.
Susun is a very independent and strong-willed woman. She has many views on things and isn’t afraid to be outspoken. I can see why she is a “wise woman”.
After Susun’s talk, I got to get one of her books and have my picture taken with her! Throughout the conference, I attended three of Susun’s sessions.
Winona was a treat! She had her grandchildren with her and handled them so well during her talk. I also didn’t realize she had such a sense of humor. It was interesting to hear about her work and some of her run-ins with bureaucracy.
And of course, I can’t pass by all the wonderful women who attended and I got to meet. We had women from all over the midwest and even further out. One young lady even came all the way from New Zealand (in addition to Ilsa)! That goes to show how important these conferences are.
I tented the entire six days and survived the rain storms.
What an adventure and a great way to learn about the plants around us!
If you are looking for conferences in your area or elsewhere, HerbRally, is an excellent place to start. It lists out events happening through the US and also includes some international events. You can even submit upcoming events in your area that are not currently listed.
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