Varicose Veins and a Healing Salve

Are you dealing with the pain of varicose veins? Don't know what they are? Want a simple recipe to help lessen the pain and inflammation?

Varicose veins are blood vessels that have become swollen, inflamed and twisted. You can find them anywhere on the body but they are usually found on the legs and around the anal area as hemorrhoids. They are created by inadequate circulation of the blood that causes it to pool and stretch vessel walls.

They can be caused by a number of conditions including menopause, constipation, weight lifting, obesity, tight clothing, sitting with crossed legs, and sitting or standing for long periods of time. Symptoms include restless legs , achy calves and legs, heavy tired feeling in legs, and itchiness.

Solutions:

• If you sit for longer than three hours at a stretch make sure you get up and move about every hour or so.
• Improving breathing through yoga and meditation can improve circulation.
• Consume a diet high in fruits and vegetables especially those high in rutin, which helps keep vessels elastic. Cherries, rose hips, citrus fruits, blackberries, apricots and buckwheat are great sources of rutin.
• Bioflavonoids help strengthen capillary walls.

A Roadside Herb to the Rescue

Comfrey, a roadside herb, has been used for centuries for healing and bone knitting.  Its anti-inflammatory qualities help with arthritis, cuts, wounds, sprains and strains and other injuries. It had such a reputation for repairing tissue that brides, with perhaps a secret or two to hide, would bathe in comfrey to restore their maidenhead. Hey, any menopausal ladies want to give it a try?

It does have some toxic effects, but only if ingested.  If you want to take comfrey internally please consult a naturopathic physician first for proper dosage. Foxglove leaves can look similar to comfrey so make sure you have a good knowledge of what it really looks like. Check this link for a good picture

I make up a salve and use it on bruises, wounds, strains, sore joints and inflamed varicose veins.

Comfrey Salve

1. Pick fresh comfrey leaves in the early morning hours preferably in the mid-summer just before the plant begins to flower.
2. Dry about 1 cup of packed leaves.
3. Put dried leaves in a 500 ml jar and cover with olive oil.
4. Let sit in the sunshine for two weeks to cure (I label the jar so I don't forget when the two weeks is up)
5. Strain the mixture removing leaves and retaining oil.
6. Put oil in medium saucepan and gently heat with 1/4 cup beeswax.
7. Once the beeswax has melted, remove from heat and pour into sterilized jars.
8. Store in cool, dry, dark cupboard or the fridge.
9. Use as needed on joints, wounds, etc.