Aesculus Heel - 30ml - Heel

Horse chestnut has been used for swelling and pain due to varicose veins and chronic circulation problems. It has also been used for reducing the swelling of hemorrhoids or veins (phlebitis). Some herbal/diet supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives. Check with your pharmacist for more details regarding the particular brand you use.

Varicose veins are swollen, enlarged veins occurring on the lower leg and occasionally the abdomen. They may start as small spider veins, and then gradually become larger over time, often becoming progressively painful. Several factors contribute to the development of varicose veins:

Varicose veins are often caused by enzymes that destroy the proteoglycan network in the veins, which reduces the strength of vessel walls, causing the veins to dilate and pool blood. Aescin (escin), a triterpenoid isolated from horse chestnut, helps to inhibit these damaging enzymes, increases the tone of the veins and improves return blood flow to the heart.

Vein walls may become weak due to deficiencies in important nutrients such as bioflavanoids and vitamin C. When the vein wall weakens, the blood inside presses against it, and causes it to balloon out, becoming varicose because of the loss in elasticity.

Valves can become faulty primarily due to poor circulation from a lack of exercise. However, they also need bioflavanoids to function effectively and to maintain their shape and when you do not ingest enough, the flow of blood is affected, causing further ballooning of the vein wall.

Increased pressure in the affected are can be caused by prolonged periods of sitting or standing with the accompanying impairment in circulation and pooling of blood.

Other factors can include: obesity, genetics, hormonal changes like pregnancy, constipation, and hot weather.

Lifestyle changes to help with varicose veins include regular exercise and weight management. Avoid staying stationary for long periods of time because it stagnates circulation. Avoid tight clothing on the legs. Move the bowels regularly. Raise your legs above your heart level for 10-15 minutes every day. Alternate hot and cold leg baths to increase circulation. Massage around the area and towards the heart to ease blood congestion. Topically apply horse chestnut gel to the legs or add horse chestnut tea to bath water. It firms and tones vessels and reduces inflammation.

Dietary changes aimed at improving blood circulation and regulating bowel movements prevent varicose vein formation. Eat a high fibre diet to add bulk to the stool and maintain regularity. Eat whole grain products, flax seeds, fruits and vegetables. Eat one salad of raw vegetables daily. Be sure to drink 2L of filtered water daily to soften stools and maintain regularity. Eat citrus fruits and berries for bioflavinoids, which strengthen veins. Eat wheat germ, as a source of vitamin E, to improve circulation and tissue elasticity. Avoid constipating and irritating foods such as, dairy products, spicy food, fats, processed foods, salt, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, cocoa, cola and black tea..

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins occurring in the rectal and anal area. Weakening of the vessel walls and extra pressure in the area are the culprits. This can be caused by constipation, poor diet, obesity, hormonal changes like pregnancy and long periods of sitting or standing.

Lifestyle changes to help with hemorrhoids include regular exercise and stress reduction. Never suppress the urge to defecate. Do not strain to pass stool because it can contribute to hemorrhoid formation. Minimize straining by ensuring that your thighs are parallel to the floor when sitting on the toilet. Use a footstool if necessary. Avoid strong laxatives because they also increase straining.

To prevent hemorrhoids avoid staying stationary for long periods of time because it stagnates circulation. Practice pelvic rocking and pelvic circling to increase circulation to the area. Sit on soft surfaces but do not use a donut shaped pillow. Those pillows actually increase pressure on the vessels.

Topically apply aloe vera gel to the anus to relieve pain and soothe the burning sensation. Witch hazel is an astringent that shrinks the vessels and stops bleeding. It can be applied several times daily with a cotton pad.