Veins and arteries play the role of carrier of blood. Veins are thin-walled vessels that carry blood from every part of our body to the heart. The blood that veins carry is impure and purplish in color. Blue or purple color of blood can be attributed to the fact that body uses up the oxygen present in the blood. Varicose veins is a term used to describe a condition, which is characterized by enlargement or thickening of veins.

• Sluggish Circulation: A varicose condition of the veins results from sluggish circulation due to various factors such as constipation, dietetic errors, lack of exercise, and smoking. Standing for long periods and wearing tight clothing can also lead to sluggish circulation.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy may cause varicose veins due to increased pressure in the pelvis and abdomen, which slows down the flow of blood from the lower extremities to the heart. Women usually suffer from this condition in the early years of childbearing.

• Swelling of veins.
• Muscular cramps.
• Weakness in legs.
• Skin becomes purplish, thus giving rise to varicose eczema or varicose ulcers.
• Development of red and white patches on the skin.
• Itching.
• Burning sensation.

• Marigold: The herb marigold is valuable in varicose veins. A compress of this herb should be applied externally in the treatment of this disease. The flowers of this plant can also be applied externally over varicose ulcers with beneficial results, as they are an excellent remedy for inflamed or ulcerated conditions of the skin.
• Vegetable Juices: Raw vegetable juices, especially carrot juice in combination with spinach juice, have proved beneficial in the treatment of this disease. The formula proportions considered helpful in this combination are 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml of spinach juice.
• Nutrients: Certain nutrients, especially vitamins E and C have also been found effective in the treatment of this disease. The patient should take vitamin C in therapeutic doses up to 3,000 mg and vitamin E in therapeutic doses from 600 to 1,200 mg daily. This will relieve him of pain and leg cramps associated with varicose veins.

• Exercise: Get your legs moving. Walking is a great way to encourage blood circulation in you legs.
• Control your weight and diet: Shedding excess pounds takes unnecessary pressure of your veins. What you eat makes a difference too. Follow a low salt, high fiber diet to prevent the swelling that may result from water retention and constipation.
• Watch what you wear: Avoid high heals. Low-healed shoes work calf muscles more, which is better for your veins. Don’t wear tight clothes around your waist, legs or groin. Tight panty-leg griddles, for instance, can restrict circulation.
• Evaluate your legs: To improve venous circulation, take several short breaks daily to evaluate your legs above the level of your heart. For example, lie down with your legs resting on three or four pillows.
• Avoid long periods of sitting and standing: Make a point of changing your position frequently to encourage blood flow. Try to move around at least every thirty minutes.
• Don’t sit with your legs crossed: Sitting with leg crossed can aggravate circulation problems.