Witch hazel is a popular home remedy for managing varicose veins. Although it is generally safe, there is not much research to support the use of witch hazel for varicose veins.
Witch hazel has been used medicinally for centuries to help with a variety of conditions. It remains a popular choice for the management of varicose veins when taken orally or applied topically.
It is thought that witch hazel can improve circulation and strengthen venous connective tissue, both of which could be beneficial for varicose veins. However, there is not much research to support these claims.
Here’s a close look at what research says about witch hazel for varicose veins, whether it’s worth trying, and considering other home remedies.
The idea that witch hazel can help varicose veins stems from witch hazel being an astringent, which are substances that cause the body’s tissues to shrink. It is thought that witch hazel can shrink blood vessels, making varicose veins less visible. But the evidence behind witch hazel’s potential effects on varicose veins is very limited.
In a study 2020 of 32 subjects, the author concluded that witch hazel taken by mouth twice a day for 2 months seemed to relieve some symptoms of varicose veins.
However, Doppler ultrasound, which is used to assess blood flow in the veins, did not reveal any real improvement. The author suggests that this may be due to the relatively short duration of the study.
Please note that this was a very small experimental study with no control group. While the findings may encourage future research, they should not be taken as proof that witch hazel is an effective treatment for varicose veins.
While it’s not clear if witch hazel actually helps with varicose veins, it’s generally safe for most people to try.
However, some people—especially those with skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema—may want to be extra careful about witch hazel’s potentially drying properties if using it topically.
Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, consider doing a patch test first by applying a pea-sized amount to an area of your skin and wait 24 hours to see how your skin responds.
To reduce the risk of irritation, consider looking for a product that doesn’t contain alcohol, which can make witch hazel extra drying.
Oral witch hazel supplements may cause upset stomach or nausea in some people. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s dosage instructions to reduce the risk of side effects or complications.
According to a
- Rutoside: The bioflavonoid rutin is found in many plants such as apples, citrus fruits, buckwheat, St. John’s wort and Ginkgo Biloba. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. It can help strengthen blood vessels, preventing them from turning into varicose veins. It is sometimes taken as a dietary supplement to help treat spider veins and varicose veins.
- Centella asiatica: Known as Gotu kola, this native Asian plant has been shown to strengthen weakened venous valves that can lead to venous insufficiency or varicose veins. It can be applied topically or taken orally in pill form.
- Grape Seed Extract: Grape seed extract is made from the seeds of wine grapes and is
is often used as a nutritional supplement for venous insufficiency. It could benefit vein health due to its high amounts of vitamin E, flavonoids and other beneficial compounds.
As with witch hazel, further research is needed before we can conclude that any of these herbal remedies can cure varicose veins.
Other things you can do at home to manage varicose veins include:
- do regular exercise to improve blood flow
- elevating your legs when sitting or lying down to prevent blood pooling
- wearing compression stockings to manage swelling and ease discomfort
- eating a balanced diet with plenty of fiber to support blood circulation
- maintaining a moderate vacuum to reduce the pressure on your veins
- avoiding smoking to improve circulation
Although home remedies won’t make existing varicose veins disappear, they can reduce discomfort and reduce the risk of developing additional varicose veins.
Learn about professional varicose vein removal.
Witch hazel is a popular home remedy for varicose veins, but limited evidence supports its potential benefits. But it’s generally safe for most people if you want to try it. Just make sure to go with a quality product and do a patch test if you have sensitive skin.
