If you spend time on social media, you’ll invariably find posts about essential oils. Some of them even show before and after pictures of women with varicose veins.
The before shots feature women’s legs covered with enlarged bluish/purple veins. The after photos show clear legs. The difference is amazing.
However, I don’t personally know the people posting these images. I also don’t know if they’ve been altered.
(This post contains affiliate links, and if you purchase a product I receive a referral fee, at no extra cost to you.)
Essential Oils for Varicose Veins and Circulation
If these photos are real, they constitute some anecdotal evidence that peppermint oil, one of the most commonly recommended remedies for varicose veins, as well as other aromatics, may help improve the appearance of your legs.
But I need to point out that this is not the same thing as a well-designed clinical trial, considered the gold standard of proof. So what we have to go on, right now, are these various testimonies. There’s also a long-standing tradition in aromatherapy of using peppermint essential oil to support the veins.
Peppermint Oil for Varicose Veins
If I had varicose veins, I’d certainly give essential oils a try. They’re used as a home remedy for enlarged veins because it’s believed they help improve circulation.
Essential oils are low impact. They’re easy to use. Actually, they’re a lot of fun to use because they smell so good. Essential oils also have a multitude of potential uses. For instance, I use them for everything from natural stress relief to non-toxic rodent control, since I hate the thought of using poisonous chemicals in my home.
Varicose veins are very common. Mainstream medical treatments can include sclerotherapy. This involves injecting something into the vein that causes it to shrivel and die. Lasers are another option. Severely swollen veins can be surgically removed.
Can Essential Oils Help Varicose Veins?
These enlarged vessels are caused by pooling blood. Although usually just a cosmetic problem, they can be painful. Potentially serious complications such as bloos clots can occur. That’s why I want to stress that you should never neglect getting medical care because of something you read here. If anything is amiss with your veins, you should see a doctor.
Also, I want to point out that I’m not a doctor, so I can’t give medical advice or promise that any natural remedy will solve your health problems. All I can do is share my own very positive experience of using essential oils. These oils have become my “go to” remedy for just about everything.
Is Peppermint Oil Good for Varicose Veins?
Even though I can’t promise results, I can tell you that some people apparently are using peppermint essential oil as a natural remedy for varicose veins. There are even special essential oils blends on the market, designed to support healthy leg circulation, so the blood flows back out of the vein as intended.
One of these is called Vein-Aid Synergy Blend. It’s sold by Plant Therapy, a family run business that sells incredible oils. This is where I buy a lot of my own oils. Plant Therapy oils undergo rigorous testing. So I know they’re potent and 100 percent pure. Also, they’re not sold through a multilevel marketing network. They’re definitely more affordable than the MLM oils, which is why I like to tell my readers about them.
Essential Oil Blend for Varicose Veins
One of the most commonly recommended aromatics for varicose veins is peppermint essential oil. However, if it were me, I’d probably use Vein-Aid Synergy Blend instead. That’s because it contains peppermint oil, as well as nine other aromatics. The advantage of a blend is that it’s believed that using multiple oils together creates a more powerful synergy.
However, if you’d prefer to use just peppermint oil, you could try that instead. Plant Therapy peppermint oil is exquisite, and it’s incredibly versatile. (I’ve often used diluted peppermint oil in my headaches. If you want to try the blend, you can see it on the right. If you decide to use Vein-Aid, Plant Therapy recommends that you apply it twice a day.
Plant Therapy Peppermint Oil
Plant Therapy Vein Aid
How to Use Peppermint Oil for Varicose Veins
If you decide to use peppermint essential oil or the Vein-Aid Synergy blend, they must be diluted in a carrier oil before applying them to your legs. Don’t try to apply these oils straight. They’re very strong, and they can potentially irritate your skin.
Also, essential oils evaporate quickly. So the oily carrier serves a dual purpose. In addition to protecting and buffering your skin, it helps “carry” the therapeutic compounds into your body.
It’s also believed that carrier oils have their own potential benefits. For instance, some of them, such as avocado oil and fractionated coconut oil, are considered to be really good for your skin. You can see both of these below.
Fractionated Coconut OilAvocado Oil Carrier Oil
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless directed to do so by a doctor or midwife.
Interesting, I didn’t know an oil could treat varicose veins…
Some people do use essential oil for varicose veins. I want to be very careful to say this is based upon anecdotal evidence, and that I’m not making claims or promises, but simply passing along information. I’m not talking clinical trials. As you know, there’s a big difference between clinical trials and anecdotal reports. In my article you can see a special essential oil blend designed to support healthy veins. This is a potential low-impact home remedy to consider, before moving on to something more invasive. Or, some people simply may not have the money for laser surgery, which you offer at your clinic. Thanks so much for reading.
Too bad these vein clinics don’t offer a discount on these procedures, they’d have more business than they would ever imagine because insurance doesn’t pay for this stuff and I can’t afford to spend that kinda money ?
It’s unfortunate they don’t. They would if there was more competition.
I’m going to try pepper mint oil on a vein on my leg. It’s very painful and struggle to get around. My GP offer me a stocking that doesn’t stay up.
Hi Kelly, Sorry I wasn’t able to answer this sooner. Always work closely with your GP to rule out the possibility of blood clots or something serious.