Contents
Leg edema: complementary approaches
Remark. In some cases, one of the following herbal remedies might be helpful in reducing swelling. However, a medical consultation is necessary to know the origin of the edema.
Leg edema: complementary approaches: understand everything in 2 min
Prevention | ||
Prevent economy class syndrome and reduce its symptoms: oxerutins | ||
Processing | ||
Horse chestnut. | ||
Thorny butcher’s broom, gotu kola, red vine | ||
Arnica | ||
Prevention
Oxerutins. Swelling of the legs can occur on airplanes during long flights in all travelers and especially in people with venous insufficiency. Taking an oxerutin supplement can help prevent or reduce this kind of discomfort.1.
Dosage
The suggested dose is 1g or 2g per day for three days, starting two days before departure.
Processing
Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum). Several studies have confirmed the virtues of horse chestnut seeds for the relief of venous insufficiency.
Dosage
See our sheet on horse chestnut for dosage details.
Thorny butcher’s broom (Ruscus aculeatus). Traditionally, herbalists have recommended Butcher’s Broom to treat edema. Clinical trial results support its effectiveness in relieving heaviness and swelling caused by venous insufficiency2-5 .
Dosage
Take, orally, a standardized extract of Butcher’s Broom root providing 7 mg to 11 mg of ruscogenin and neoruscogenin (active ingredients).
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica). Numerous European studies have shown that a standardized gotu kola extract (TTFCA, short for the total triterpene fraction of Centella asiatica) has a beneficial effect for people with venous insufficiency and varicose veins6-8
Dosage
See our gotu kola sheet for dosage details.
Red vine (Vitis vinifera). Some clinical trials with grape seed and grape leaf extracts have proven to be conclusive. Their results show that these two types of extracts can relieve symptoms of venous insufficiency and varicose veins. See our Red Vine sheet.
Dosage
Take 150 mg to 300 mg per day of grape seed extract standardized for oligo-proanthocyanidins (OPC) or 360 mg to 720 mg per day of grape leaf extract.
Arnica (Arnica montana, Arnica chamissonis). The German Commission E has approved the external use of arnica to treat edema. In addition, the results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 89 subjects with venous insufficiency indicate that arnica gel can increase venous tone, decrease edema and relieve the feeling of heaviness in the legs.9.
Dosage
See our arnica sheet for dosage details.