5 Spider Vein Natural Remedies

Spider veins are a result of damaged blood vessels that create thin, branching red, blue, or purple veins, typically developing on the legs or face. 

Though they’re typically benign, spider veins can be unsightly, affecting self-esteem and occasionally causing mild discomfort. 

Discover common causes and learn about five effective spider vein natural remedies to reduce their appearance.

What are spider veins?

Spider veins are small, dilated blood vessels that appear just below the surface of the skin on the legs or face. 

They typically occur in a web-like pattern of thin, red, blue, or purple veins and are considered a harmless cosmetic concern. 

Spider veins are often mistaken for varicose veins, which are large, bulging, and rope-like veins that typically develop on the legs and can cause discomfort or swelling.

Compared to spider veins, varicose veins are a medical condition caused by damaged or weakened vascular valves, which prevent healthy blood flow and cause blood pooling. 

Watch the video below to learn about natural remedies for spider veins.

Signs and symptoms of spider veins

Spider veins are usually harmless and mainly a cosmetic concern. However, in some cases, they may cause discomfort, particularly after prolonged periods of sitting or standing. 

Possible symptoms associated with spider veins include:

• Cramping
• Burning
• Itching
• Heaviness in the legs
• Restless legs

Although not as common, swelling may also occur in the ankles or lower legs. 

In most cases, symptoms associated with spider veins are rare and often related to another underlying condition, causing poor circulation or vein inflammation.

Causes and risk factors

Various lifestyle, genetic, and health-related factors can increase the risk of developing spider veins. These include hormonal changes, trauma or injury to the legs, and poor vascular health. 

Common spider vein risk factors include:

• Family history 
• Pregnancy
• Aging
• Obesity
• Prolonged sitting or standing
• Excessive sun exposure
• Contraceptive pill use 
• Leg surgery or medical procedures

Women are more likely to experience spider veins than men, indicating a potential role of hormonal influences on vascular tone. 

In some cases, spider veins may also be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), where damaged vein valves allow blood to pool instead of flowing back properly to the heart.

Natural remedies for spider veins

In addition to dietary and lifestyle changes, holistic remedies may help improve the appearance and symptoms of spider veins.

Here are five simple home remedies for spider veins.

1. Horse chestnut extract

While more research is needed for the management of spider veins, horse chestnut has yielded promising results for related venous conditions.

A study published in The Cochrane Library found that horse chestnut seed extract significantly reduced leg discomfort in individuals with poor circulatory function. The researchers concluded that horse chestnut extract was an effective alternative to traditional compression therapy.  

“Horse chestnut contains aescin, a powerful phytonutrient that helps strengthen vein walls and improve vascular tone,” explains Dr. Berg. “It’s a great remedy to boost poor blood circulation commonly associated with spider veins.”

2. Apple cider vinegar

When applied topically to affected veins, apple cider vinegar (ACV) may stimulate blood circulation, reduce swelling, and lessen the appearance of spider veins. 

A study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found significant improvements in symptoms among participants who applied ACV to affected areas. 

Drinking ACV may also help maintain optimal blood sugar levels, which can support vascular health and may help reduce vascular damage.

3. Butcher’s-broom

Ruscus aculeatus, widely known as butcher’s-broom root, is a traditional herbal remedy used to boost circulation in the legs. 

Its active compounds, steroidal saponins, may help reduce the appearance of spider veins naturally by promoting the constriction of blood vessels, thereby aiding blood flow back toward the heart. 

Additionally, flavonoids and polyphenols in butcher’s-broom provide antioxidants that may help strengthen the body’s capacity to protect blood vessels from oxidative stress and damage.

4. Grape seed extract

Grape seed extract is rich in proanthocyanidins. This group of powerful antioxidants may help strengthen and improve blood vessel elasticity, increasing blood flow and potentially minimizing the appearance of spider veins. 

A study published in Medicine found that grape seed extract doubled the blood flow velocity compared to compression stocking treatment alone.

5. Gotu kola

While more research is needed, gotu kola, or Centella asiatica, is often used topically or orally to support healthy vascular tone and promote blood vessel integrity. 

Gotu kola contains bioactive compounds called triterpenoids, which are believed to support inflammatory balance, strengthen blood vessels, and enhance circulation.

Lifestyle adjustments to support vein health

In addition to natural remedies, making beneficial lifestyle changes can help improve blood flow, reduce the appearance of spider veins, and inhibit new veins from forming over time.

Here are six diet and lifestyle changes to support vein health.

1. Regular exercise

Cardio exercises, such as walking, running, and cycling, strengthen the heart, allowing it to pump blood more efficiently. 

Leg exercises, including squats and lunges, are also an excellent way to improve circulation, as they activate muscles in the calves and thighs that squeeze veins and send blood back to the heart. This reduces the risk of blood backflowing and pooling in the veins.

2. Position changes

If your career requires you to sit or stand for most of the day, it’s vital to take frequent breaks to rest or get up from your desk and move your legs. 

Avoiding prolonged sitting or standing helps ease pressure on the veins in your legs and keeps blood flowing smoothly, reducing the likelihood of spider veins forming or worsening.

3. Leg elevation

Elevating your legs above heart level throughout the day uses gravity to encourage blood to flow away from the lower extremities back towards the heart. 

This helps stimulate healthy blood circulation, minimizes blood from pooling in the legs, and eases discomfort. 

4. Weight management

Being overweight or obese can put excessive strain on the body, including the venous system. 

Excess weight can weaken the venous walls and valves, impairing circulation and contributing to poor circulation and vein disease. 

Obesity also increases the risk of blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition in which clots form deep within veins–primarily in the legs–as a result of poor blood flow.

5. Compression 

Compression stockings apply gentle pressure to the legs, which squeezes the vein walls together and supports blood circulation back towards the heart. 

Regularly using compression stockings can help reduce venous pressure and inhibit the formation of new spider veins.

6. Healthy dietary habits

A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, such as leafy green vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, healthy fats, berries, nuts, and seeds, can optimize cardiovascular health and may support vein integrity.

Additionally, following a nutritious low-carb diet, such as Healthy Keto®, eliminates refined sugars and carbohydrates that increase inflammation and strain vessel walls, reducing the risk of spider veins worsening over time.

When to see a doctor

If you experience painful symptoms or are developing new spider veins despite adopting dietary and lifestyle changes, it’s crucial to consult your healthcare provider. 

Your doctor will likely complete an assessment to determine if spider veins are cosmetic or the result of an underlying health condition, such as CVI.

Conventional spider vein treatment options include sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a solution into the veins to collapse and reduce their appearance.

Surface laser treatment, which uses light to heat and collapse spider veins, and endovenous laser therapy (EVLT) may also be considered in severe cases.

Unlike surface laser treatment, which targets smaller varicose veins just beneath the skin’s surface, EVLT is a more advanced option for treating spider veins and varicose veins.

Furthermore, it’s vital to discuss the use of natural remedies for spider vein management with a medical provider to ensure they’re safe, effective, and won’t interfere with other treatments.

Key takeaways

Spider veins are small, visible veins that often appear due to aging, prolonged sitting, poor circulatory health, or hereditary factors. 

Spider vein natural remedies such as horse chestnut, ACV, butcher’s-broom, grape seed extract, and gotu kola may support vein integrity and boost blood flow. 

However, it’s vital to consult your healthcare provider if you notice pain, growing veins, swelling, or other symptoms, as further treatment may be necessary.

FAQ

Sources

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7144685/ 
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4735895/ 
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36401399/