Experts are not sure why the walls of the veins stretch or why the valves become faulty leading to varicose veins, a common and in today’s day not considered a major medical condition, that is a nightmare for women who enjoy wearing short skirts and shorts while taking in the sunshine.
More than 23% of adults are said to be affected by varicose veins as it affects approximately 1 in 4 of the adults in the United States. A doctor’s visual physical examination will determine whether or not a person has varicose veins by checking for signs of swelling, mainly on the legs. Sometimes, a doppler test or a color duplex ultrasound scan is ordered to check the direction of blood flow in the veins and provide color images of the veins’ structure, respectively.
In this article, we look at the evidence behind how best we can use castor oil to prevent and reduce the effects of varicose veins and causes, prevention, and other methods of reducing varicose veins.
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are a skin condition where the veins are visibly swollen or enlarged and are usually blue or purple, and most frequently, they will occur lumpy, bulging, or twisted on the legs, and sometimes rarely on the face.
Causes of varicose veins
There are tiny valves throughout the veins responsible for returning non-oxygenated blood towards the heart to stop it from flowing backward. However, if these valves are weakened or damaged in any way, blood can flow backward, and pool and the result are varicose veins.
Varicose veins affect the face too, but most commonly appear in the legs because the leg veins are under great pressure to return blood to the heart.
Several risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing varicose vein include:
- Pregnancy – The growing uterus places extra pressure on a woman’s veins
- Genetics – The history of family members with varicose veins is a great contributor. If your parents have it, there’s an increased chance you may develop it as well.
- Old age – The valves and veins start to weaken over time as you start to get older.
- Sun exposure – Strong exposure to the sun causes varicose veins mainly to the face. Sudden weather changes or pressure can also cause the blood vessels to burst and intense actions like sneezes and puking can cause drastic pressure for the body resulting in varicose veins development.
- Posture – Sitting down in the same position for an extended period.
- Being overweight.
- Severe head injuries can cause varicose veins on the face as well, also known as spider veins, as they can easily hurt the blood vessels.
- Alcohol consumption dilates blood vessels. Even though it is a temporary effect, frequent consumption of alcohol can cause long-lasting varicose veins.
Masking, preventing, and treating varicose veins
Now that we have a brief knowledge of what varicose veins are and their causes, read on to discover how to minimize their appearance and deal with this perennial women’s nightmare so that you can display your legs in pain-free confidence below.
Apply castor oil
Castor oil is the most natural essential oil that works wonders for reducing inflammation in varicose veins and for promoting blood circulation. For best results, massage your legs daily 2-3 times with castor oil for quick relief from the pain and swelling associated with varicose veins.
Give yourself a gentle castor oil massage over the affected areas from bottom to top primarily at night because the skin repairs itself at night and the castor oil will penetrate more effectively during this time.
Exercise regularly
Exercise regularly to improve your blood circulation and promote the return of blood to the heart. Exercises such as daily walking or jogging will help improve circulation throughout the body.
It is important to maintain exercise regularly as proper blood circulation helps to fight against the development and worsening of varicose veins and will also lower the blood pressure greatly improving your circulatory system.
Avoid smoking
It is no surprise that smoking could contribute to the worsening of your varicose veins as there’s no doubt it causes and contributes to many health problems.
Smoking is associated with lower limb venous insufficiency which is a condition whereby the blood doesn’t flow properly and is thereby stored in the legs while studies have also shown that high blood pressure associated with smoking leads to the development of varicose veins.
Wear loose fitted clothing
Avoid excessively tight clothing around your waist, groin area, and upper legs as this can restrict blood flowing back towards the heart.
Tight clothing may also contribute to the worsening of your varicose veins and those believed to be at a genetic disposition or those who already suffer from this skin condition will often be advised to wear more loose-fitted clothing
Wear compression stockings
Regularly wear support stockings, which provide mild pressure to compress your legs and encourage the return of blood flow. Nowadays, these stockings come in dark colors which means they not only help you improve your blood circulation and flow but also help you mask the appearance of your varicose veins. In most cases, the compression stocking will help treat and contain your varicose veins as they are designed to improve blood flow in the legs.
Reduce swelling
Consider reducing the swelling of the veins if they appear lumpy or inflamed as this will make them smaller and reduce their visual appearance by eating a healthy balanced diet low on sodium.
You can apply rosemary, witch hazel, yarrow, lavender, and horse chestnuts to the veins to improve circulation, therefore, reducing swelling as well as consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
Increase your garlic intake
Thanks to its healing properties, garlic is one of the most beneficial and natural products for treating and healing varicose veins because it helps reduce inflammation all while improving circulation.
Experts recommend consuming garlic either in your daily diet or by applying garlic oil typically to the affected area about four times per week to see effective improvement in the reduction of your varicose veins.
Increase your Cayenne pepper intake
The bioflavonoids and vitamin C rich in cayenne pepper are known for decongesting veins and promoting healthier blood flow as well as help in easing the pain of swollen joints caused as a result of poor blood circulation.
Often, the pain caused by varicose veins is worse than they appear, and consuming or topically applying a generous amount of this skin healing spice paste can help alleviate these uncomfortable situations because as strange as it may sound, cayenne pepper certainly works in curing varicose veins.
Apply Apple Cider Vinegar
Not only does it help the appearance of this skin condition, but Apple Cider vinegar is also another natural skin healing formula that is highly effective against varicose veins and is extremely easy to apply.
Simply dampen a washcloth with Apple cider vinegar and place it over your varicose vein affected area for 2-3 minutes. You can as well as give yourself a gentle massage with the washcloth to help stimulate blood circulation.
Apply Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the most common natural tropicals for improving and eventually treating varicose veins as it contains Auxins and Gibberellins hormones that provide skin healing as well as anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin irritation and inflammation and improves overall blood flow.
You can directly apply the stalk of the aloe vera plant to the skin and massaging the affected area 2-3 times a day for 15 mins each time.
Apply self-tanning lotion
Applying a self-tanning lotion is another great way to mask and conceal the appearance of your varicose veins. Not only will these self-tanning lotions mask the appearance of the varicose veins but they can also give your skin a nice glow.
Most of these self-tanning lotions have rich moisturizing components that will keep the skin around your legs soft just like normal moisturizing lotions.
Apply body makeup
The best and easiest way to mask your varicose veins is to conceal them with makeup, not specifically designed for the face but rather body makeup.
You should use waterproof specific body makeup designed for concealing and correcting skin imperfections like cellulite and stretch marks as well as varicose veins made to properly conceal all the while keeping your clothes stain makeup-free.
Is castor oil safe for babies?
Yes. There are many benefits linked to the use of castor oil on babies, however, you must take due precautions while using it on your baby. If used correctly, castor oil can help relieve your baby of many skin and health problems such as constipation as it is a natural laxative but you must use it carefully. Here are other different ways in which you can use castor oil for your baby.
- You can use castor oil to provide colic relief for your baby.
- Cast in oil can be used to treat warts and blemishes that may occur on your baby’s skin.
- Castor oil can act as a moisturizer and is a great remedy for dry skin in babies.
- You can also use castor oil to massage your baby.
- Another great advantage of castor oil is that it promotes hair growth in babies.
- Applying castor oil on your baby’s skin can provide relief from sunburn and can as well as be used to cure eczema which is a very common problem in babies.
- Diaper rashes are another common problem in babies and if you don’t have diaper rash cream at home, don’t worry, apply castor oil on the affected areas to provide relief.
Take away
While castor oil has plenty of benefits for both mother and child, its side effects can be fatal. It is great with greater benefits if used correctly but if it is administered in the wrong way, it does have poisonous properties and can cause serious harm to the health of your baby as it can cause respiratory pneumonia.
It is always best to consult with your doctor before you use castor oil for your baby and if you are pregnant you should steer clear of this product because it can have adverse effects on your health.
