Stopping the varicose veins

The medicinal therapy options for CVI are limited. Basically, we can differentiate between an external and an internal treatment. Heparins and heparinoids (60,000 I.E./100 g), which are to prevent the thrombin formation, are applied for the external treatment. They cannot, however, dissolve a thrombin that has already been formed. Some products additionally contain a skin-irritant substance which is to ensure a better absorption and distribution of the heparins. Furthermore, preparations with aescin, flavone derivatives or arnica extract are used topically. Pharmacologists often doubt the effectiveness of the external vein therapy. Nevertheless, patients repeatedly ask for it as they can feel positive effects. Apart from the pleasant massage and cooling effect, there is no doubt a certain placebo effect too.

For the oral therapy the so-called oedema-protective agents are worth considering. These are herbal extracts or semi-synthetical active substances such as Oxerutin, Toxerutin or Trimethylhesperidinschlcon. According to the current S2k-guideline for the diagnosis and therapy of varicosis, the effectiveness of certain standardised extracts from horse chestnuts or red vine leaves as well as Oxerutin is proved scientifically. These extracts can improve symptoms such as heavy, tired legs, pulling pains or nocturnal cramps in the calf, and can ease slight oedemas. Herbal medicines mostly take time to show any effect. The same applies to herbal vein remedies which need some time until the effect is noticed. It takes two to four weeks for a noticeable effect to set in, and that only if taken continually.

Horse chestnut extracts are considered effective if the daily dose amounts to a minimum of 100 mg Aescin. Patients with a sensitive stomach are better served by extended release formulations. The effective dose of red vine leaves extracts amounts to 360 to 720 mg dry extract. Extracts from the rootstock of the butcher’s broom are also used for the treatment of vein ailments. The saponins contained therein have an antiphlogistic effect similar to Aescin, they seal the capillaries and tonify the veins.