In medical practice, it is difficult to find diseases in which traditional medicine is ineffective. Most known pathologies are treated using traditional medicine recipes, and although this method of therapy can not fully address the disease, it can increase the effect of drug intake, delay or delay the progression of pathology, improve the patient's condition. circumstances, etc.
As for varicose veins in the legs, in folk medicine there are many different recipes to eliminate the symptoms of the disease, as well as aimed at curbing them and maintaining the condition of the veins. This article will focus on one of the most effective folk remedies for treating varicose veins - apple cider vinegar.
Characteristics of varicose veins on the legs
Many people, hearing the word varicose veins, imagine a leg where the veins protruding through the skin are clearly visible. This view is not wrong, but hardly reveals the full picture of the disease.
The main problem of varicose veins is not an aesthetic change, but a violation of the activity of the ducts that transport blood to the heart. With varicose veins, the veins change shape, they expand, lengthen, the walls become thinner, and the function of the venous valve is disrupted.
As a result, with the development of pathological processes, veins and venous networks become visible to the naked eye, and the development of the disease leads to the fact that the vessels begin to increase profusely, bulge and damage. The main problems of varicose veins are violations of blood circulation, their stagnation in the vascular bed and violations of systemic circulation.
The action of apple cider vinegar
First of all, it should be noted that the maximum effectiveness of apple cider vinegar in the treatment of varicose veins is achieved especially in the early stages of disease development.
Native apple cider vinegar is produced through a long chemical reaction. First, biochemical fermentation takes place, in which the sugar in the apple is converted into alcohol. This is followed by a fermentation cycle, in which the alcohol is "distilled" into vinegar. Finally, the resulting product contains in its chemical composition all the beneficial trace elements of the fruit from which it is produced.
To understand the benefits that vinegar can bring to the body and in particular to the ducts in the legs, consider the useful elements contained in it:
- Calcium - helps strengthen bone tissue and tone muscle fibers, with varicose veins prevent frequent seizures, which are often accompanied by this disease.
- Iron - has a positive effect on the blood, increases the synthesis of hemoglobin and eliminates the signs of anemia.
- Amino acids - participate in the construction of protein compounds, help burn fat, have a beneficial effect on the regulation of bodily functions in general.
- Magnesium and potassium - these elements are important in the fight against diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- A variety of vitamins and minerals to increase the body's metabolism.
These are the main elements contained in apple cider vinegar, which are directly involved in the fight against varicose veins, in fact, there are more trace elements.
If we talk specifically about the properties of vinegar present in this product on the veins affected by varicose veins, it is as follows:
- Reduction of swelling or complete elimination.
- Prevention of seizures, as well as their elimination directly during the attack.
- Elimination of pain or its relief, which depends on the severity of the pain syndrome.
- Reduction of blood clotting, which is very important for varicose veins, especially given the prevention of thrombus formation.
- Strengthens vascular walls, which prevents deformation and violation of their integrity.
- One of the signs of varicose veins is a change in skin color, its cyanosis. Vinegar, on the other hand, brightens the skin, allowing you to combat these unpleasant cosmetic effects.
Note! Doctors insist on using only natural apple cider vinegar for medicinal purposes, obtained by the methods described above in the process of fermentation of fruits with further fermentation.
Consumption of acetic acid that only contains apple flavor not only gives results, but can even be detrimental to your health. Natural vinegar is also sold in stores, so read the label carefully before buying.
Method of application
The main condition in the treatment of folk remedies, including apple cider vinegar, is a systematic approach and duration of therapy. It is necessary to use this drug for at least a month, during this time the vinegar will give a certain result, relieving unpleasant symptoms, but only if full treatment is maintained, one can hope to consolidate the results.
It is also important to understand that apple cider vinegar in the fight against varicose veins is used as an external agent and taken internally. Moreover, according to patient reviews and doctor’s assurances, mixing the two methods gives better results.
External use
Most recipes for traditional medicine relate specifically to the external use of apple cider vinegar, but consider the most effective and proven methods of treatment:
- The easiest and at the same time effective way is a regular vinegar treatment on the feet. To do this, take a bath to clean your skin, wipe your feet dry and rub apple cider vinegar with gentle movements, paying special attention to problem areas. After rubbing, it is advisable to lie down for at least 30 minutes, it is better to carry out the procedure before bedtime;
- Compressing is more effective. Pour a little vinegar into a bowl, dip a strip of gauze folded in two layers into the liquid, squeeze a little and place on the problem area. Then wrap your feet with a bandage or other cloth, place them above body level and get up in this position for 30-40 minutes, then remove the compress;
- The bandage method is also very effective. Just like last time, moisten a piece of gauze in vinegar, but now you shouldn’t squeeze the gauze. Place on your feet in places of varicose veins and wrap the limbs with film, tighten the gauze. On top of the gauze, you need to wrap a warm scarf or blanket, rest after 40 minutes;
- You can take a vinegar bath with just your feet submerged. To do this, take about half a bath of not too hot water and dilute a liter of apple cider vinegar in it. Then place your feet in the bathtub for about 25-30 minutes. This method is the most gentle because of the low concentration of vinegar, it is suitable for people with sensitive skin or individual acute reactions to the treatment under discussion;
- The latter method, but not in terms of effectiveness, involves the preparation of an ointment. To do this, mix the protein of 1 chicken egg with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of turpentine. You need to rub the ointment daily in the evening directly into the problem area, moving it over the feet.
Please note that it is advisable to perform all the procedures described so that after it is carried out you can rest from 30 minutes to an hour, the appropriate time is considered to be the evening, before bedtime. It is also important to consult with a doctor before using vinegar to adjust the duration of treatment and frequency of daily procedures, as much depends on several individual factors, the main one being the stage of development of varicose veins. of the legs.
Internal use
Oral use of apple cider vinegar is not very diverse, there are two proven methods:
- You need to take a glass of purified or boiled water (250 milliliters) and stir 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in it. The full amount of fluid produced is drunk on an empty stomach 10-15 minutes before breakfast.
- The second recipe involves mixing two ingredients in a glass of water, one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of melted honey (if honey is sugary, dilute it in a water bath). The solution is applied in two steps, half a glass is drunk on an empty stomach in the morning, the second half in the evening before dinner.
It is very important, before the internal use of apple cider vinegar, to undergo a diagnosis for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and consult with a gastroenterologist not only about the authorization of treatment, but also to find out the allowable duration of therapy. This need is explained by the fact that vinegar can cause gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.
Contraindications for use
Treatment of varicose veins with apple cider vinegar is not always feasible; in some cases, the harms of such therapy may outweigh the benefits. If we talk about the external use of the product, the ban is in effect in two cases:
- Thrombophlebitis is an inflammatory process that covers the walls of veins and causes blood clots.
- An advanced form of atherosclerosis, a disease that disrupts blood circulation in the peripheral vessels and is accompanied by a variety of other dangerous symptoms.
Regarding the contraindications associated with the internal use of apple cider vinegar, it is as follows:
- Forms of gastritis with high acidity.
- Pre-ulcer conditions, as well as gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer.
- The final stage of development of atherosclerosis and thrombophlebitis.
- Pathology accompanied by acute or chronic inflammatory processes in the kidneys and liver.