Many dread finding their first varicose veins. They’re not just unsightly— they can signal other health issues, though they also occur with age.
Can they be treated naturally? What about essential oils for varicose veins: do they work? Read on to learn more.
What causes varicose veins?
Varicose veins can come about naturally in one’s lifetime, typically due to ageing. Health issues may lead to them, too. So can certain lifestyle factors: like obesity, pregnancy, activity levels, excessive sitting, and more.
Regardless of exact cause, varicose veins happen due to a combination of increased blood pressure in the veins and weak blood vessels. Too much pressure, combined with weak tissue, cause veins to become damaged, expand, and lead to visible “bruising” effects in arms and legs.
Can essential oils help varicose veins?
Varicose veins cause tissue bruising, scarring, and warping in damaged blood vessels which can appear visibly on skin. In some cases, repair of these veins and tissues can lower the visibility of varicose veins. It may also involve dietary recommendations and changes in lifestyle—such as exercising more.
A varicose vein specialist may prescribe a topical application, medication, or even recommend surgery for varicose veins. That said, researchers have started exploring botanical medicines and phytochemical compounds (from plants) for this issue, including essential oils for varicose veins.
Top essential oils for varicose veins
Certain essential oils have properties that may provide relief for varicose veins and their related symptoms. Here are the top oils I recommend to address this unsightly and often painful problem.
-
Angelica
Angelica and its close relatives (like Dong Quai) are still used today in holistic medicine, including Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). These plants may improve blood flow and prevent blood clots in line with their ancient use.
While its usually employed with female health and circulation issues, angelica is also known to be used for varicose veins, with some scientific research to support this use. One study mentions that parts of angelica contain procyanidin C1 which is known to prevent varicose veins from happening (or potentially getting worse).2
-
Cayenne
Cayenne pepper is a spicier approach to natural varicose vein remedies that can be used in essential oil form quickly and conveniently. Research points out that consuming cayenne can reduce fat buildup in blood vessels, leading to the thrombosis that causes varicose veins.3
In traditional herbalism, however, both topical and internal cayenne have stimulating cardiotonic effects: meaning it could stimulate sluggish blood flow. Topical cayenne pepper essential oil may help both treat and prevent varicose veins when used in a strong water dilution to avoid any discomfort or pain.
-
Horse chestnut
While not a common essential oil product, horse chestnut is widely considered the premier plant therapy for varicose veins.
Research on horse chestnut shows it can help with many venous-related issues besides (or related to) varicose veins, including chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). In this research, a study is also referenced where horse chestnut extract strongly inhibited enzymes in the body that can lead to varicose veins—making it a top natural option to reduce and prevent varicose veins.4
-
Oak
Oak bark (or oakmoss) essential oil is shown to have similar properties as horse chestnut oil, but is more common and easy to find. Like horse chestnut, oak is high in what are called “astringent tannins”— these may help tissue regain proper structure and form after damage, edema, and more, which happens with varicose veins.
-
Rose
Traditional herbalists may be quick to “prescribe” topical rosewater (or rose essential oils) for circulation or bruising issues. Rose contains some astringents like horse chestnut and oak. Since varicose vein issues are similar to bruising, it’s possible rose may help—and research suggests that it can (and will).
A wash—or sitz bath—of rose petal water is recommended for varicosity in more than one piece of research.3 5 A diluted rose essential oil wash could easily achieve the same. Internal use of rosehips is also recommended—rose contains vitamin C and antioxidants that may help strengthen blood vessel walls, preventing varicosity.3
-
Sage
Besides easing breathing and supporting colds and flu, sage is sometimes used for circulation or bruising issues. Since it is one of the more common essential oils (along with rose and oak) it comes recommended as a top potential home remedy for the issue.
In a review of active plant constituents found in many different sage species, the compounds rutin and quercetin were shown to have benefits for healing varicose veins. These are also found in oak and horse chestnut, indicating that using sage essential oil for varicose veins could be like using a mild version of one of these.6
-
Yarrow
In herbal healing, yarrow is synonymous with cardiovascular and blood issues. Research and knowledge on the plant together show it may have many of the same qualities as other top essential oils for varicose veins: it may stop sluggish blood flow and coagulation (like angelica), boost circulation (like cayenne), and contain astringent tannins to heal vein tissue (like oak, rose, and horse chestnut).
Multiple studies and research also reference yarrow as a top choice for natural varicose vein healing and prevention—including topical applications, sitz bath, and internal use.3 For topical use, yarrow essential oil could especially come in handy.
How to use essential oils for varicose veins
Essential oils for varicose veins can be used with a topical wash or compress. Or, you can simply dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil.
For topical wash or compress: Using any of the above essential oils, combine approximately 2-3 drops with each cup of clean water. (Note: for cayenne essential oil, use only 1 drop per cup of water to start, gauge comfort levels, and increase drop by drop if desired.) With a clean cloth, apply the essential oil dilution to the affected area as often as possible.
For carrier oil dilution: Using any of the above essential oils, combine 1-2 drops with a teaspoon of carrier oil such as jojoba or fractionated coconut oil. (Note: for cayenne essential oil, use only 1 drop per teaspoon of carrier oil, gauge comfort levels, and increase drop by drop if desired.) Apply to the affected area two times a day.
Best essential oil blends for varicose veins
Essential oils offer more potential benefits for varicose veins when combined together. Below are two blends you can try for prevention and relief.
Gentle/preventive blend
Combine angelica, rose, and sage essential oils. (Use as directed in previous section.)
Heavy duty blend
Combine horse chestnut, cayenne, yarrow, and oak essential oils. (Use as directed in previous section.)
Other approaches to varicose veins
Home remedies may help some pain and visibility issues of varicose veins. Besides essential oils, things like witch hazel, topical astringents, and certain over-the-counter creams are suggested. You can also improve lifestyle: more exercise, less sitting, or improved diet to control blood pressure. Compression therapy may also come recommended along with pain medications.
If you experience worsening pain or other symptoms, discontinue essential oils for varicose veins and talk to your doctor. They will walk you through other options that could provide both relief and reduced visibility of varicose veins.
About Adrian White
Adrian White is a certified herbalist, organic farmer, and health, food, and agriculture freelance writer—and upcoming author. She is a past contributor to Healthline with bylines in The Guardian, Civil Eats, and Good Housekeeping. Adrian is also the co-owner and operator of Jupiter Ridge LLC, an organic farm growing diverse vegetables, mushrooms and herbs.
Sources:
1. “Varicose Veins.” National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute / National Institute of Health. Nhlbi.nih.gov.
2. Sun, Y., R. Guo, et. al. “Longitudinal Distribution Map of the Active Components and Endophytic Fungi in Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels Root and Their Potential Correlations.” Metabolites 14, no. 1 (2024): 48.
3. Palanisamy, J.K., S. Ponnu, et al. “A Critical Review on Traditional Herbal Drugs: An Emerging Alternative Drug for Varicose Veins.” World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 7, no. 5 (2018): 316-338.
4. Zampieron, Eugene. “Horse chestnut (aesculus hippocastanum) for venous insufficiency.” International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine 5, no. 3 (2017): 4-12.
6. Mocan, A., M. Babota, et. al. “Chemical Constituents and Biologic Activities of Sage Species: A Comparison between Salvia officinalis L. S. glutinosa L. and S. transsylvanica (Schur ex Griseb. & Schenk) Schur.” Antioxidants 9, no. 6 (2020): 480.
The post Essential Oils for Varicose Veins: Do they work? appeared first on ZYTO.