Allied herbs of the legs

Prominent capillaries and swelling are widespread problems. Here’s how to prevent them.

Prominent capillaries and swelling: here’s how to prevent these disorders naturally.

Legs are more popular, claimed a song from the thirties. Nothing could be more true, especially when they are not marked by a web of thin blue lines.

That’s right: to cause that annoying and unsightly network of veins is venous insufficiency, in turn caused by the reduction of the tone of the venous vessels of the legs and the malfunction of the valves that regulate the ascent of blood from the feet to the heart.

In practice, the valves close when blood passes, preventing it from flowing downwards. When they do not work well, the blood tends to stagnate and weaken the walls of the veins, which end up losing their tone: the tubes deform, the liquids stagnate at the bottom, the ankles and legs swell.

The result? Raised capillaries, namely telangiectasias and hateful varicose veins. At the origin of this circulatory disorder, there are factors such as pregnancy, the use of some birth control pills, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, nutrition, too hot weather, the type of work (the more you stand, the more difficult it becomes to circulate), genetic predisposition and belonging to the female sex.

Women, in fact, suffer four times more than men due to hormonal changes (estrogen and progesterone in the head).

Fortunately, it is possible to preserve the health of the legs and prevent circulatory disorders: just keep the surrounding vessels and connective tissues intact, improving peripheral circulation, both superficial and deep, of the lower limbs.

A formidable weapon comes to us from phytotherapy: in nature there are several leg-friendly herbs, which help prevent and treat venous insufficiency. Among these, the most effective are centella asiatica, red vine, blueberryhorse chestnutginkgo biloba.

Their effects are briefly described in the table and, below, explained in detail:

Herbal remedy Function
Centella asiatica Reduces heaviness in the legs, swelling in the ankles, itching and night cramps
Red vine Strengthens the walls of the veins
Horse chestnut It has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties
Ginkgo biloba Maintains capillary tone

Venuzze bye-bye

It reduces the sense of heaviness in the legs, swelling in the ankles, itching and night cramps: it is the Centella asiatica, a plant native to tropical and subtropical countries of Southeast Asia, which has the advantage of stimulating the production of collagen, making veins and capillaries more resistant and elastic.

From its leaves is obtained the “total triterpene fraction” (FTTC), very effective in counteracting the onset and progression of circulatory problems of the lower limbs.

The dry extract can be used in creams or tablets, the latter to be taken in the spring months to be able to face the summer.

The tolerability of the product allows it to continue the administration for a few months, but it is better to avoid taking it during pregnancy and lactation.

Perfect to strengthen the walls of the veins and, consequently, counteract swelling and the feeling of heaviness, also the Red Vine (scientific name Vitis vinifera). A further advantage is given by the decrease in the amount of glycoproteins accumulated on the basement membrane of capillaries.

Its extract, obtained from the leaves, is rich in flavonoids and anthocyanin tannins and is well tolerated. To obtain a good result, however, it is necessary to complete a cycle of administrations of 2 or 3 months.

If you want to increase the tone, resistance and elasticity of the capillaries, reducing their excess permeability and keeping the subcutaneous connective tissue in optimal condition, Escin is for you.

It is extracted from horse chestnut seeds (scientific name Aesculus hippocastanum), has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties and is generally taken in hot weather.

Protective action of blood vessels also for Ginkgo biloba. From its leaves a particular extract is obtained, indicated for the maintenance of capillary tonicity, to promote microcirculation in the skin and, therefore, fight the symptoms of venous insufficiency.

Able to counteract the fragility and excessive permeability of blood vessels, the Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). The merit of these effects goes to the anthocyanosides, contained in its berries.

Among the advantages, also the antihemorrhagic action and the protective effect against free radicals. To obtain a good result, it must be taken for 2 or 3 months, interspersed with withdrawal periods of 15/20 days.

The group of leg-friendly herbs also includes the Ruscus, from which ruscogenin is obtained, a natural flavonoid able to improve capillary function and reduce abnormal permeability.

The rules to stay smart

To help the circulation it is not enough to rely on herbs but you have to pay attention to your lifestyle, which significantly affects the health of the legs.

Disorders due to venous insufficiency can be prevented (or improved) by following five simple rules.

First: the diet. Eating healthily keeps your legs healthy. The ideal regime consists of the following:

  • drink at least two liters of water a day and avoid coffee, alcohol and carbonated soft drinks;
  • eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially pineapple (contains bromelain, an enzyme that has an anti-inflammatory and anti-cellulite effect);
  • prefer fish and white meat and reduce the consumption of fatty foods;
  • consume a good sufficient amount of fiber and foods rich in vitamin C, which strengthen the venous walls;
  • Limit the use of salt: promotes fluid retention and causes increased blood pressure and obstruction of the arteries.

Second: physical activity. Regular daily exercise, even light, is the best remedy to have toned and healthy legs. The most suitable sports are those that strengthen the muscles of the lower limbs without straining the venous system: swimming, jogging and cycling.

Long walks are fine, preferably along the seashore: the water provides a beneficial massage for circulation.

You can also do physical activity behind the desk: just get up from your chair every half hour and take a walk. And when sitting, move your feet often, rotate your ankles and, above all, avoid crossing your legs.

Third: massages & co. They serve to reactivate lymphatic and venous circulation, drain excess fluids and increase the elasticity of muscle fibers. However, rely on specialists of proven skill so as not to worsen the situation.

Fourth: hydrotherapy. At the end of the day, immerse your legs in cold water and immediately after hold them vertically for a few minutes: baths, cold showers and whirlpool are useful for improving circulation.

Instead, avoid saunas and Turkish baths: they cause the dilation of the veins. For the same reason you should not expose yourself to the sun during the hottest hours of the day and it is good not to exceed with ultraviolet lamps.

Fifth: dress & shoes code. If you suffer from circulatory problems, pay attention to your clothing, especially in summer.

Perfect skirts and soft trousers, in natural fabrics such as cotton, silk and linen. No to tight jeans, which compress and overheat the legs. No even to high heels or flats on the ground: choose comfortable shoes, with a heel not exceeding 4 centimeters.

Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.

The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.

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