In medical practice, it is difficult to find a disease that traditional medicine cannot do. Most of the known pathologies are treated with traditional medicines and prescriptions. Even if this type of treatment cannot completely deal with the disease, it can also enhance the effect of medication, delay or slow down the development of the pathology, and improve the patient's condition.
As for leg varicose veins, in folk medicine, there are many different prescriptions that can eliminate the symptoms of this disease, and are designed to control it and maintain the condition of the veins. This article will focus on one of the most effective folk remedies for varicose veins-apple cider vinegar.
Characteristics of varicose veins on the legs
When many people hear the term varicose veins, they imagine that the protruding veins on the legs are clearly visible. This view is not wrong, but it is difficult to reveal the full picture of the disease.
The main problem with varicose veins is not aesthetic changes, but damage to the vascular activity that carries blood to the heart. With varicose veins, the veins will deform, expand, elongate, and their walls become thinner, and the function of the venous valve is impaired.
As a result, as the pathological process progresses, veins and venous networks become visible to the naked eye, and the progression of the disease causes the blood vessels to begin to increase, swell, and damage. The main problems of varicose veins are obstruction of blood circulation, vascular bed stagnation and obstruction of systemic circulation.
The role of apple cider vinegar
First of all, it should be pointed out that the maximum effect of apple cider vinegar in the treatment of varicose veins is mainly achieved in the early stages of disease development.
Natural apple cider vinegar is produced through a long-term chemical reaction. First, biochemical fermentation is carried out, during which the sugar in the apple is converted into alcohol. Next is the fermentation cycle, during which the alcohol is "distilled" into vinegar. In the end, the chemical composition of the resulting product contains all the beneficial trace elements of the fruit from which it is produced.
To understand what benefits vinegar has on the body, especially the blood vessels in the legs, consider what useful elements it contains:
- Calcium-helps strengthen bone tissue and muscle fibers, and varicose veins can prevent seizures that often accompany diseases.
- 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, and have a beneficial effect on the general regulation of body functions.
- Magnesium and potassium-these elements are essential in fighting cardiovascular diseases;
- Various vitamins and minerals to improve the body's metabolism.
The above are the main elements contained in apple cider vinegar, which are directly involved in the fight against varicose veins. In fact, there are much more trace elements.
If we specifically talk about the effect of vinegar on the veins affected by varicose veins, they are as follows:
- Reduce edema or completely eliminate it.
- Prevent seizures and eliminate seizures directly during seizures.
- Eliminate or relieve pain, depending on the severity of the pain syndrome.
- Reduce blood clotting, which is very important for varicose veins, especially in the prevention of thrombosis.
- Strengthen the blood vessel wall to prevent its deformation and destruction of integrity.
- One of the signs of varicose veins is skin discoloration, that is, cyanosis. On the other hand, vinegar can brighten the complexion and fight against this unpleasant beauty effect.
notes! The doctor insists on using only natural apple cider vinegar for medicinal purposes, which is obtained by further fermentation of the fruit through the above-mentioned method.
Using acetic acid containing only apple flavoring will not only have an effect, it will also harm your health. Natural vinegar is also sold in stores, so please read the label carefully before buying.
Application method
The main treatment conditions of folk remedies, including apple cider vinegar, are systemic methods and duration of treatment. This medicine must be maintained for at least one month. At this time, the vinegar will have a certain effect and relieve the unpleasant symptoms, but only by adhering to a complete course of treatment can hope to consolidate the effect.
It is also important to understand that apple cider vinegar can be used both as a topical agent and internally in the fight against varicose veins. In addition, according to the patient's evaluation and the doctor's assurance, the combination of the two methods is more effective.
external use
Most traditional medicine recipes are specifically related to the topical use of apple cider vinegar, but please consider the most effective and proven treatment:
- The simplest but at the same time effective method is the usual foot vinegar treatment. To do this, take a bath to clean your skin, dry your feet and gently wipe the apple cider vinegar, paying special attention to the problem area. After rubbing in, it is recommended to lie down for at least 30 minutes, preferably before going to bed;
- Compression is more effective. Pour a small amount of vinegar into a bowl, dip the two folded gauze strips into the liquid, squeeze gently and place it on the problem area. Then wrap your legs with a bandage or other cloth, place them above body level, wake up in this state for 30-40 minutes, and then remove the compress;
- The wrapping method is also very effective. As last time, moisten the gauze with vinegar, but now you should not wring the gauze dry. Put it on the foot where the varicose veins are, wrap the limbs with a film, and fix it tightly with gauze. On the gauze, you need to wrap a warm scarf or blanket and relax after 40 minutes;
- You can just dip your feet in a vinegar bath. To do this, take about half a bath with not too hot water, and then dilute a liter of apple cider vinegar in it. Then put 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 those who have an individual acute response to the treatment being discussed;
- The last method, but not in terms of effectiveness, involves the preparation of ointments. To do this, mix the protein of 1 egg with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of turpentine. You need to apply the ointment directly to the problem area every night, moving your legs upwards.
Please note that it is recommended to perform all the described procedures so that you can rest for 30 minutes to an hour after performing these procedures. The ideal time is considered to be before going to bed at night. It is also important to consolidate with a doctor before using vinegar to adjust the treatment time and the frequency of daily routines, because it largely depends on many individual factors, mainly the degree of varicose veins in the legs.
internal use
The internal use of apple cider vinegar is not so diverse, there are two effective methods:
- You need to take a cup of purified water or boiling water (250 ml) and stir 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in it. Drink the full volume of liquid on an empty stomach 10-15 minutes before breakfast.
- The second recipe is to mix the two ingredients in a glass of water, one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of liquid honey (if the honey is sweetened, it melts in a water bath). The solution is used in two steps, half a cup in the morning on an empty stomach and half a cup before dinner in the evening.
It is very important to make a diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease and consult a gastroenterologist before using apple cider vinegar internally, not only to obtain authorization for treatment, but also to understand the permitted duration of treatment. The explanation for this need is that vinegar can cause gastric and duodenal ulcers.
Contraindications
Apple cider vinegar cannot always be used to treat varicose veins; in some cases, the harms of this treatment may outweigh the benefits. If we talk about the external use of the product, the ban takes effect in two situations:
- Thrombophlebitis is an inflammatory process that covers the walls of veins and causes blood clots.
- The advanced form of atherosclerosis, a disease that disrupts blood circulation in peripheral blood vessels, is accompanied by many other dangerous symptoms.
The related contraindications of apple cider vinegar oral administration are as follows:
- A form of gastritis with high acidity.
- Pre-ulcer state, as well as gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer.
- Late development of atherosclerosis and thrombophlebitis.
- Pathology accompanied by acute or chronic inflammatory processes in the kidneys and liver.