Spider Veins
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Trisha
Posted on: July 13, 1998

I am curious about how to treat spider veins without using injections or lasers. Injections do hurt and sometimes don’t work. Lasers, I was told, don’t really work. I see that there is an advertisement for a new over the counter pill called Veinistat or something to that effect. The key ingredient is Horse ______. I’m not sure, but I would like to know how I can obtain this herb and find out exactly what it does to the circulatory system.

Spider veins are formed when veins become dilated and swollen with blood. They are more of a cosmetic problem than a health problem. They are similar to varicose veins, and similarly tend to run in families. Pregnancy & excess weight may stimulate their growth.

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is a herbal remedy used for varicose veins, which tones and protects blood vessels. It stimulates the production of a prostaglandin which contracts the veins. It can be taken orally as a tea and applied externally as a wash. Horse Chestnut should be available at any health food store.

Standing or sitting for long periods of time should be avoided. Exercise and any kind of movement that encourages the blood to flow will help.

Back to Medicinal Herbs and Their Uses | Q & A Index

Copyright © 1997-2024 Otto Richter and Sons Limited. All rights reserved.