Home Circulatory problemsVaricose veins Aloe vera for varicose veins: benefits and how to use it

Aloe vera for varicose veins: benefits and how to use it

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Many articles refer to the miraculous effects of aloe vera on varicose veins, but is it true?

The therapeutic properties of this plant have been used for thousands of years, and its effects on skin lesions are known.

Next, in this FastlyHealarticle, you will find everything you need to know about the benefits of aloe vera for varicose veins and how to use it to reduce the discomfort they cause.

Properties of aloe vera for health

Aloe vera, aloe, or barbadensis, is a plant originally from Africa, typical of arid, tropical, and desert climates.

It has been used widely since ancient times for its large number of medicinal effects. The Egyptians have already characterized this species in the Eberz Papyrus, one of the oldest medical treatises of humanity that dates back to 1500 BC. Currently, specimens of this species can be found all over the world precisely because its therapeutic use has spread.

It is a plant with green, elongated, and complex leaves. It has a fleshy consistency and thorns on the sides. Inside, a gel-like substance can be seen.

In reality, there are many effects that this plant has on the human body. This is so because it contains multiple active ingredients. These substances with pharmacological effects on the body can be found in the leaves and the inner gel.

The main active compounds in aloe vera are:

  • Water.
  • Carboxipeptidasas.
  • Salicylic acid.
  • Aloe-emodin.
  • Aloin.

In addition, they can be found, among others:

  • Multiple vitamins and their precursors: folic acid, B1, choline, B2, E, B6, beta-carotene.
  • Essential minerals: calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, sodium, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorus, chromium.
  • Amino acids.
  • Glycoproteins.

All of them contribute to aloe vera having numerous properties :

  • Painkiller
  • Anesthetic.
  • Regenerative.
  • Healing.
  • Anti-inflammatory.
  • Antimicrobial.
  • Exfoliating
  • Laxative.

Benefits of aloe vera for varicose veins

As we have seen, its multiple active substances generate different effects in the body. Most studies on aloe vera focus on its direct impact on the skin, such as promoting healing and reducing inflammation of wounds, burns, or chronic skin lesions.

Thus, several published works about the use of aloe to improve ulcers or lesions on the legs caused by varicose veins, but there is no scientific evidence to prove that this plant can be used to improve varicose veins without ulcers. Therefore, the application of aloe vera could have an analgesic, anesthetic, and anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. Still, it has not been shown to reduce the presence of varicose veins.

On the other hand, scientific studies have also been conducted to determine if aloe helps improve constipation. It is known that poor digestion and lack of evacuation of the stool have a tremendous impact not only on the digestive level but also on a greater possibility of suffering from chronic diseases. A direct relationship has been found between chronic constipation and the increased likelihood of suffering from varicose veins.

So, incorporating aloe vera into the diet can help improve gastrointestinal transit, which could be beneficial for varicose veins.

You have to understand that this is not something miraculous. Just as varicose veins are the product of bad habits for a long time, solving this problem inevitably requires adopting good practices. These measures can surely help you improve your varicose veins:

  • Drink water: adequate hydration is necessary for the whole body to work. Drinks with sweeteners, colorings, caffeine, or alcohol do not serve this purpose.
  • If you must stand for long periods, you need to wear compression stockings. These will help the circulation be efficient, and blood does not accumulate in the veins of the legs, causing them to dilate.
  • Improve your diet: processed and refined products (sugar, flour, salt), excess meat, and dairy products promote poor digestion and more significant body inflammation. They accumulate toxins and overload the body’s elimination and cleansing systems (kidneys, liver, skin), favoring multiple chronic diseases, including varicose veins. Add whole grains, honey, whole sugar, fruits, vegetables, and legumes to your diet.
  • Exercise: it is essential because it favors venous return. That is, the blood leaves your legs and returns to the heart. Every day you should do at least 30 minutes of walking or some exercise with your legs.
  • Get enough rest: your body needs horizontal rest and sleep for 8 hours daily. Spending less time on this brings problems in the short and long term.

How to use aloe vera for varicose veins?

There are two ways in which you can use aloe vera for varicose veins and alleviate the symptoms that they can cause you:

Smoothies with aloe vera

Incorporating aloe vera into your daily diet can help you regulate your intestinal transit. It will provide you with vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids, among other compounds.

It would help if you only used a small fraction of the aloe gel in a day, as it has potent effects. As its flavor is unpleasant, you can combine it with some acidic or semi-acid fruit (apple, papaya, citrus, pineapple), but do not mix it with more than one.

You must make sure that it is not a toxic species, as some are.

If you are pregnant, it is recommended that you do not drink aloe or apply it on your skin, as it can be harmful.

Apply aloe vera on the skin

You may find that the soothing, analgesic, and anesthetic effect improves the feeling of pain or tired legs after standing for an extended period.

You can do this practice once a day when you get home, but do not do it at night before sleeping, as it brings too cold to the body and can be harmful.

If you have doubts about whether or not you can use this plant, you must consult your doctor or family doctor, especially if you already have ulcers or if you suffer from other diseases.

In the following article, you can see other home remedies for varicose veins.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Aloe vera for varicose veins: benefits and how to use it, we recommend that you enter our category of Blood, heart, and circulation.

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