How to Get Rid of Varicose Veins: 10 Home Remedies

Updated in September 2023
Scientifically proven

Some ways to get rid varicose veins are drinking ginger tea or rosemary tea, regularly consuming grape juice or applying a natural lotion prepared with comfrey and lemon balm to the skin. These remedies contain anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and healing properties that help to relieve varicose veins symptoms, like pain or heaviness in the legs, itching or skin sensitivity.

Furthermore, these home remedies can to improve and active blood circulation, by strengthening vessel walls and promoting blood return. This can also relieve symptoms of varicose veins and improve the skin 's appearance.

Although you can get rid of varicose veins with home remedies, these do not replace medical treatment. These can can, however, be used to complement the treatment recommended by your doctor.

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Some ways to get rid of varicose veins using home remedies include:

1. Ginger tea

Ginger contains phenolic compounds such as gingerol, chogaol and zingerone, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These help to improve blood flow and can be very useful for relieving varicose vein symptoms, such as pain or heaviness in the legs. They can improve the skin's overall appearance.

Ingredient

  • 1 cm of ginger root, sliced or grated 
  • 1 liter of boiling water

How to prepare

Bring the water to a boil and add the ginger. Let it boil for another 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the ginger and drink the tea, divided into 3 to 4 doses throughout the day.

Another option for making tea is to replace the root with 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger.

This tea should be avoided by people with stomach ulcers, as it has anticoagulant properties that can increase bleeding or hemorrhage. Learn more about the side effects of ginger and its contraindications.

2. Rosemary tea

Rosemary tea has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that can help relieve varicose vein symptoms, such as heavy legs, itching or skin sensitivity. Learn more about the other benefits of rosemary tea for your health. 

Ingredients

  • 5 g of fresh rosemary leaves
  • 250 mL of boiling water

How to prepare

Add the rosemary leaves to the boiling water, cover and let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain, wait for it to cool and drink 3 to 4 times a day.

Rosemary tea should not be consumed by children under 5 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people who have liver disease.

Furthermore, rosemary tea can interact with some medications, such as anticoagulants, diuretics, lithium, diabetes medication and blood pressure medication. Therefore, you should speak to your doctor for taking this tea.

3. Comfrey and lemon balm lotion

This comfrey and lemon balm lotion is rich in allantoin, phytosterols and essential oils, with anti-inflammatory, healing and calming effects. These can help to improve the appearance and sensitivity of varicose veins.

Ingredients

  • 6 pariparoba leaves
  • 4 comfrey leaves
  • 1 spoon of lemon balm
  • 500 mL of alcohol

How to prepare

In a clean, dry glass container, pour in the alcohol and the other ingredients. Let this mixture sit for 24 hours. Then, using a clean cloth, apply this lotion directly to the varicose veins, 2 to 3 times a day.

4. Grape juice

Grape juice is a great home remedy for varicose veins, as it is rich in resveratrol. This is a substance with antioxidant properties that can help to manage blood vessel inflammation to facilitate blood circulation and improve the appearance of varicose veins. 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of water
  • 1 cup of black grapes

How to prepare

Mix the ingredients in a blender and drink afterwards. Preferably, you should drink this grape juice unsweetened, but if necessary, you can use healthy sweeteners, such as honey, sugar cane molasses or stevia.

You can also buy concentrated organic grape juice and dilute it in a little water, and drink it daily.

5. Milk thistle compresses

Compresses made with milk thistle tea are also a great home remedy for varicose veins. This tea contains the active substance silymarin, which has a powerful antioxidant effect. It can help relieve the symptoms of varicose veins and promote overall well-being.

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon of milk thistle fruit
  • 250 mL of boiling water 

How to prepare

Add the fruits to the boiling water and let them soak for 15 minutes. Once it has cooled slightkly, strain and apply, with the help of a cloth to the desired areas.

6. Kale compress

A great natural remedy to get rid of varicose veins and spider veins on the legs is to apply a warm compress made with cabbage leaves directly over them. These can help reduce vessel inflammation, relieving the symptoms of varicose veins.

Ingredients

  • 5 kale leaves

How to prepare

Heat the cabbage leaves in the microwave for a few seconds and apply directly to the varicose veins. Leave them on until they cool. Then rinse the area with cold water to improve blood circulation.

7. Horse chestnut tea

Horse chestnut tea is a great option to get rid of varicose veins, as it has properties that help improve blood circulation. It can strengthen blood vessel walls and improve blood return to prevent varicose veins.

Ingredients

  • 2 sachets of horse chestnut tea
  • 500 mL of boiling water

How to prepare

Combine the ingredients in a pot and let the tea steep for about 10 minutes. Wait for it to cool, strain and drink 3 cups after meals.

8. Witch hazel tea

Witch hazel tea helps to strengthen the veins and reduce inflammation, preventing veins in the legs from dilating excessively and causing varicose veins.

Ingredients

  • 5 g of dried witch hazel leaves
  • 500 mL of boiling water

How to prepare

Add the ingredients to a pot and let the tea steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and drink 2 cups a day.

9. Lavender, lemon and St. John's wort oils

Using essential oils to treat varicose veins is a natural way to activate circulation and reduce discomfort and itching that can cause wounds and inflammation.

Ingredients

  • 8 mL of sunflower oil
  • 2 drops of St. John's wort essential oil
  • 2 drops of lavender essential oil
  • 3 drops of lemon essential oil

How to prepare

Mix all the ingredients and massage this mixture into the desired areas. Be sure to use large but gentle movements in circular motions, and apply from the feet up to the thighs. 

10. Cypress and yarrow essential oil

This mixture of essential oils helps to activate circulation and relieve itching and discomfort caused by varicose veins.

Ingredients

  • 125 mL of witch hazel extract
  • 10 drops of cypress essential oil
  • 10 drops of yarrow essential oil

How to prepare

Place all ingredients in a container and mix well. Apply to the legs as desired to relieve inflammation.