How to Use Essential Oils for Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

Using essential oils for varicose veins can help relieve discomfort and possibly make the veins less noticeable.

Varicose veins most often occur in the legs and feet because the veins are working against gravity to return blood to your heart. Veins contain tiny valves that open as blood moves toward your heart and then close so the blood doesn't flow backward. If the valves stop working properly, blood can accumulate, leading to varicose veins

While mild varicosities may have no symptoms, varicose veins can cause your legs to feel achy, heavy, fatigued, and itchy. Also, your ankles may swell.

Note: Spider veins are broken capillaries. Recommended essential oils for spider veins are the same as for varicose veins. Neither varicose nor spider veins developed overnight, so allow several months to see a difference, although symptoms will probably improve sooner.

Varicose Vein Prevention

The first line of varicose vein treatment and prevention is self-care: exercising to promote circulation, not wearing tight clothes that interfere with circulation, elevating your legs to lessen the effects of gravity, and not standing or sitting for long periods.

To help prevent varicose veins, regularly massage your legs with this blend:

• 3 drops peppermint essential oil
• 5 drops lemon essential oil
• 10 drops cypress essential oil
• 10 drops geranium essential oil
• 2 tablespoons carrier oil

Source: The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy for Varicose Veins

Essential oils for varicose veins may help improve circulation and support the health of surrounding tissues. Two commonly recommended essential oils are cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), which may strengthen vein and capillary walls, and helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), believed to improve circulation.

Make the following blend and gently apply it to the varicosities:

• 2 drops cypress essential oil
• 2 drops helichrysum essential oil
• 1 tablespoon carrier oil

Cypress Vein Cream

• 2 tablespoons unscented cream
• 10 drops cypress essential oil
• 5 drops lemon essential oil
• 3 drops rosemary essential oil
  

Blend essential oils into cream. Use several times a day. Avoid exposing the area to sun, as lemon causes sun sensitivity. Source: Aromahead

Varicose Vein Compress

• 3 drops roman or german chamomile essential oil
• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops helichrysum essential oil
• 1 drop neroli essential oil
• 2 tablespoons distilled witch hazel

Mix the ingredients. Soak a soft cloth in the solution, wring out, and apply to the varicose veins.

Source: Essential Oils & Aromatherapy for Dummies

More Essential Oils for Varicose Veins

You can also try any of the following essential oil blends. Massage gently around veins but avoid applying pressure directly to varicose veins.

• 3 to 4 drops geranium essential oil
• 1 drop wintergreen essential oil
• 1 drop cypress essential oil
• 1 drop helichrysum essential oil
• 1 tablespoon carrier oil

Gently apply daily for at least six weeks.

Source: Essential Oils Desk Reference

or

• 5 drops cypress essential oil
• 5 drops bergamot essential oil
• 5 drops juniper essential oil
• 1 drop lemon essential oil
• 3 tablespoons carrier oil

Massage lightly into affected area, always massaging toward the heart.

Source: Massage & Aromatherapy: Simple Techniques to Use at Home

or

• 2 drops frankincense essential oil
• 3 drops german chamomile essential oil
• 3 drops myrtle essential oil
• 6 drops cypress essential oil
• 2 tablespoons St. John's wort-infused oil

Apply several times a day.

Source: Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art

or

• 20 drops bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) essential oil
• 2 tablespoons calophyllum oil (also called tamanu or foraha oil)
• 2 tablespoons rose hip seed oil

Apply to affected area three times a day for seven to 14 days.

Source: Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy

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Image Credit: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Public domain via Wikimedia Commons