Heavy legs after a long day at work, small bruises on your legs, or even varicose veins that bother you? Many people, especially women, are all too familiar with these symptoms. But what can revitalize tired legs? Are herbal remedies for venous diseases helpful? Find out here.
Spider veins, varicose veins and the like – just cosmetic flaws or a health risk?
Together with arteries, veins are an important component of the human circulatory system. They carry blood from the body back to the heart. Compared to arteries, veins often work against gravity. The path from the feet back to the heart, in particular, is an enormous feat. Venous valves and the so-called muscle pump of the leg muscles help with this, but if they no longer function perfectly, blood builds up in the legs.
Heavy legs and swollen ankles are often the first symptoms of venous insufficiency. And this can become dangerous: if blood flows back too slowly, it thickens. The result can be painful phlebitis. A valve defect leads to a permanent backflow of blood. Clots form, blocking the vein. If such a clot detaches in the vein and reaches the lungs, a pulmonary embolism is possible. This means a life-threatening situation.
It becomes clear that varicose veins and other venous diseases are not just cosmetic flaws but can lead to dangerous conditions. Therefore, you should consult a doctor if you experience noticeable symptoms such as heavy legs, itching, or pain. Visible symptoms such as varicose veins and spider veins also indicate vein problems.
But don't worry, most spider veins are harmless at first. They even occur in about 60 percent of the population. However, this subtype of varicose veins can also be the first sign of deeper venous problems. By the way, while spider veins occur more frequently on the legs, this is not a must. In principle, they can also appear on other parts of the body, such as the arms.
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What are flavonoids actually?
There are many secondary plant compounds. Estimates suggest around 100,000 different types. Plants produce these substances in small quantities as color and fragrance compounds, to defend against diseases and pests, or as growth regulators. They usually have a pharmacological effect. Therefore, plants have been used in natural medicine for millennia. Flavonoids, also called bioflavonoids, are a subclass of secondary plant compounds. More precisely, polyphenols are the class of compounds to which the subclass of flavonoids belongs.
Flavonoids are derived from the Latin word 'flavus', meaning yellow. This is because they are often responsible for the color of fruits and vegetables. For this purpose, these substances are located directly in the outer layers of the plants. They are attributed with a variety of health benefits. For example, due to their chemical structure, flavonoids are able to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). Simply put, they are antioxidants. They can protect vitamin C from oxidation and inhibit pro-oxidative enzymes. So far, antimicrobial and antiviral properties of flavonoids have been observed in humans. Some flavonoids have also been shown in experiments to prevent the formation of a thrombus. In animal studies, flavonoids even inhibit the growth of cancer cells. However, this has not been confirmed for humans.
Flavonoids: Efficacy as a herbal remedy for venous diseases?
There are a whole range of measures that can benefit you when it comes to vein problems:
- for overweight
- weight reduction
- walking and lying down instead of standing and sitting
- elevating the legs to use gravity
- sport, especially endurance sports
- compression with support stockings
- alternating showers.
Furthermore, some natural vein remedies have proven effective. For example, the 'Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products' (a committee of the European Medicines Agency) classifies the medicinal plants red vine leaf and horse chestnut seeds as having 'established use'. Various flavonoids and saponins from the plants are responsible for the beneficial effects. They have anti-inflammatory properties, reduce vessel permeability, and generally protect the venous endothelium. Plant compounds from butcher's broom also show positive effects on veins in studies. However, the underlying mechanisms of action are not yet known.
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What is special about citrus flavonoids?
As the name citrus flavonoids suggests, these plant compounds are derived from citrus fruits. Scientifically, many of them belong to the flavanones, such as hesperidin from oranges or naringin from grapefruits. Another citrus flavonoid is diosmin, which is believed to protect the venous endothelium (cell layer on the inside of blood vessels) and thus prevent vascular damage.
A 2020 study showed the benefit of diosmin in patients with venous thrombosis. Compared to a control group that received only standard therapy, the experimental group additionally took the flavonoid for 12 months. Afterwards, their clinical treatment results and ultrasound images were better than those of the control group. In other studies, the combination of hesperidin and diosmin proved particularly effective.
Naringin was shown in a study to be an effective venous remedy against endothelial injuries. However, this secondary plant compound is also known to cause interactions with drugs. Those who take medication to lower cholesterol levels or calcium channel blockers should therefore avoid this flavonoid and also grapefruit.
Conclusion: Effect of flavonoids as herbal vein remedies
Many people suffer from vein problems. Even if spider veins and the like do not always indicate a serious venous disease, they should at least be medically clarified.
When treating venous insufficiency and other complaints, you can take active steps yourself. Weight reduction, plenty of exercise, alternating showers, and natural vein remedies have proven effective. Secondary plant compounds are mostly responsible for the effects of herbal remedies. In venous diseases, the subclass of flavonoids, in particular, shows positive effects. For the three citrus flavonoids naringin, hesperidin, and diosmin, there are already initial scientific studies that suggest a positive effect. Caution: naringin and some medications have interactions.
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