I often get asked are there any natural treatments for varicose veins and spider veins. The answer depends on what aspect of veins you are trying to treat. If it is the ache from varicose veins there is ONLY ONE product that has undergone any sort of rigorous scientific evaluation and that is Horse Chestnut Extract. This has been demonstrated to help leg pain and swelling when compared to placebo (Cochrane Database Syst. Review 2006).
ALL the rest of the myriad of products (including St Johns wort, Lavender, Witch hazel, Flavinoids (incl. berries. cherries and plums), Rosemary, Bilberry extract, Gingko biloba, Gotu kola extract, Hawthorn extract, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta-carotene and Vitamin B complex) that have been claimed to be of benefit have NOT undergone any scientific evaluation that validates the claims that are made. Hence the claims that are made must be treated with a great deal of cynicism and skepticism. As many of these products associated with these unproven claims can have significant side effects and contraindications it is reasonable that they are avoided until their efficacy can be satisfactorily demonstrated by clinical studies.Until proven to be of any usefulness it is likely that most if not all of the products are just expensive placebos.
Another product that has been heavily advertised isVeins Clear (refer my previous blog post) but there is no scientific study that demonstrates that Veins Clear has any effect on treating any type of leg veins. Vein Away is another product that made lots of claims but these were found to be unsubstantiated when it was compared to placebo in a scientifically controlled study. This study was conducted by Dr Sue McKoy and presented at a Phlebology conference. There has actually NEVER been a product that has EVER been scientifically demonstrated to improve the appearance of veins or halt the progression of the condition. Reflexology and acupuncture / acupressure maybe useful in the management of the ache due to varicose veins but there are no scientific studies that I am aware of that confirms the effectiveness of these approaches.
9 Comments to “ Natural Treatments for Varicose Veins and Spider Veins”
Dr Varcoe, I note that you talk about other manual type therapies like reflexology. Does lymphatic massage or draining help? I suffer from poor circulation in my legs and even though I have had treatment for veins and this helps tonnes, still have puffy
legs. 🙁 Read a bit about lymphoedema which seems to go hand in hand with poor veins. Any advice appreciated.
Hi Jeff, I have seen doses from 300mg two times a day and up to 500mg of horse chestnut seed extract 3 times a day. If you are going to use this type of product go to a reputable source (pharmacy or health food shop) for your information and dosage guidelines.
As with all products there can be side effects which can be dose dependent so you need to get advise from people who have experience with this product. I personally have never used or prescribed this product as people seeking my services invariably want their
problem fixed rather than the symptoms treated
Hi Jennifer, You are correct in believing that patients with vein problems often have a mixed picture that involves some dysfunction of the lymphatic system. This is more likely to be the situation in the more severe cases. Treatment of your lymphatic
system with lymphatic massage / drainage may improve your symptoms of swelling and ache but will not effect the progression of any venous disorder that you may also have.
Hi, stumbled across this post @Jeff – I got some liquid extract at my local health food shop, Go Vita. They seem to have a range of quality herbal supplements from Mediherb. I got a liquid supplement to take 5mls a day. Bitter taste but hopefully results
with some of my issues.
Hi Crystal, Please keep me updated about your progress. I am specifically interested in feedback about whether people are finding horse chestnut useful for swelling and aching of their legs ( especially if they also have varicose veins). Dr Paul Varcoe
Hi Dr V, i have been taking the liquid extract, but it’s only been a couple of weeks. The naturopath who advised me said it could take up to 6 weeks to notice any difference in legs. The liquid extract has made me very nauseaous a couple of times. I have
taken it before a meal on empty stomach, so I won’t be doing that again. :/
Hi Crystal, Thanks for the update. Are you taking HCE for aching, swelling or both? It would be great if you could give a rating for how your symptoms are and if they change. I suggest you rank your initial symptom(s) out of 5 (1= mild, 5 = severe) and
then note the change (if any) over time. What dose are you on?
I had sclerotherapy done nearly seven years ago and after only three sessions, my spider veins disappeared. Last year they started coming back and I am thinking of having sclerotherapy again. I would like to know who is permitted to perform this kind of
procedure? Can it be a GP? I am trying to avoid long drive down to Penrith (I live in the Upper Mountains). Thanks folks.
Dr Rhys Bennett
BMed, MD (Qld), FRACGP, GradDip MedUltrasound (Qld), BMRS (MI)
Dr. Rhys Bennett is a dedicated physician with a strong background in sonography and over a decade of experience as a Senior Radiographer/Sonographer at Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina Hospital. His early career in sonography provided a foundation that led him to a deep interest in venous health and phlebology. While advancing his skills in general practice, Dr. Bennett witnessed the devastating effects of long-term pain and chronic conditions on patients.
Dr. Bennett graduated with the Dean’s Academic Excellence Award from Bond University Medical School on the Gold Coast. His time as a radiology resident, gaining experience from the interventional radiology team at GCUH, sparked his interest in endovascular management and techniques. He completed his fellowship with RACGP, recognizing the importance of venous health and the specialised treatment required for conditions such as lipoedema and swollen legs.
Focusing on both conservative management and surgical intervention to help patients manage conditions like lipoedema and lymphoedema, Dr Bennett aims to alleviate their pain and improve their quality of life. His dedication to venous health exemplifies his holistic approach to patient care.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Bennett enjoys surfing, wakeboarding, foiling, and playing basketball. He is also a proud father of two beautiful girls who keep him busy.
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Dr. Chris Lekich
Phlebologist, FACP, MBBS (Qld), JD Barrister at Law (Qld), MBA, GAICD, Medical Director Vein Doctors Group, CEO Miami Private Hospital
Dr Lekich is the Medical Director of Vein Doctors Group. He changed career paths from pursuing an eye career to the treatment of venous disease following the serious complication of a blood clot his then-wife had with varicose veins during pregnancy. As well as offering a comprehensive modern non-surgical treatment for varicose veins, Dr Lekich established a pregnancy vein service to support women with varicose veins during pregnancy.
Further, he explored the specialised Open Ended Vasectomy to offer this service to the partners of his female patients who have to stop the oral contraceptive pill due to their varicose veins.After completing his medical degree in 1991 from the University of Queensland, Dr Lekich worked at the Royal Brisbane Hospital as a resident for three years. As a senior medical officer, he completed numerous country hospital rotations as a relieving Medical Superintendent. At Royal Brisbane Hospital his focus was on surgical/procedural-based specialisations.
Further, he has a strong background in Emergency Medicine and eyes namely the retina.Dr Lekich’s four (4) year fellowship training with the peak body for non-surgical management of venous disorder in Australia was with the Australasian College of Phlebology. This meant that Dr. Lekich had achieved the highest level of structured advanced training for this modern non-surgical treatment of venous disorders in Australia.
To enable Dr Lekich to deliver the best possible ultrasound assisted treatment of varicose veins, he has undergone formal training by way of Certificate of Ultrasound in Phlebology (C.U.P): Introductory Course and Certificate of Ultrasound in Phlebology (C.U.P): Advanced Course.Dr Lekich’s supervisor during his advanced training was A/Prof Kurosh Parsi who is the Australasian College of Phlebology President, Vice President of the International Union of Phlebology and a PhD Researcher.
Other mentors of note are Australasian College of Phlebology founding members Dr Thibault, the father of Phlebology in Australia (NSW), Dr Loizou (Victoria) and Dr Jenkins (NSW).
Dr Lekich regularly attends conferences and on-going education seminars. He regularly speaks at scientific meetings and conferences and is involved in delivering workshops training doctors. Further Dr. Lekich is a preceptor, mentor and supervisor for phlebology trainees.
Apart from the study of medicine, whilst working full time, Dr Lekich has furthered his university education completing a postgraduate law degree (Juris Doctor) from Bond University in 2004 inspired by the medical indemnity crisis. He then completed the Bar Practice Course at the Queensland University of Technology in 2005 and was admitted as a Barrister in the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2005.
He completed his Masters of Business Administration also at Bond University and has been an Assistant Professor in the Bond University Medical School, Gold Coast Australia.Additional to Dr. Lekich’s venous work, he was trained by the pioneer of the specialised form of vasectomy Dr. Bruce Errey of the 30,041 Open Ended Vasectomy fame. This approach to vasectomy is very specialised and performed by a small percentage of doctors. This form of vasectomy is designed to minimise post vasectomy congestion pain and is more readily reversible should circumstances change.
This Open Ended Vasectomy service complements the care Dr. Lekich provides his female vein patients so that they can stop the oral contraceptive pill.Further Dr Lekich has been trained to perform microsurgery personally at the microscope over three years by the Father of Microsurgery, Professor Earl Owen. Professor Owen performed the world’s first hand and double hands transplant and the collaborator of the first face transplant. This microsurgical training enables Dr Lekich to successfully reverse vasectomies.Dr Lekich is a devoted father of three children and he enjoys influencing them to the best young adults they can be. His other languages include fluent Croatian and Serbian.
The following are Dr Chris Lekich’s professional Society Memberships:
Preceptor Graduate School of Medicine-Clinical and Scientific Teaching -1997
Australian Medical Association -National Membership-Current
Australian Medical Association -Queensland Branch Membership- Current
Gold Coast Medical Association- Current
Clinical Ophthalmic Workshop Mentor Programme – Princess Alexandra Hospital July 2004
Admitted Supreme Court Queensland as Legal Practitioner, March 2005.
Member Queensland Bar Association 2005 – Current
Assistant Professor Medical School Bond University 2005-2010
AHPRA Medical Board of Australia Registration- Current
Member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine
Member of the Australasian College of Phlebology (ACP)-Current
Preceptor for Australasian College of Phlebology Basic and Advanced Training-Current
Member of the Medico legal Society of Queensland-Current
Board Member of the Australasian College of Phlebology -Current
ACP Chair of the Australian Medical Council Specialist Accreditation Committee-Current
ACP Member of the Continuing Professional Development Committee -Current
ACP Member of the Ethics and Standards Committee-Current
CEO Miami Private Hospital
Clinical Director of Miami Private Hospital Medical Advisory Committee
Born in Singapore, Dr Nicholas Teo moved to Queensland to study medicine at the University of Queensland and fell in love with sunny Queensland where he has lived, trained and worked for the past 10 years. Dr Teo graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Queensland in 2015.
Dr. Teo has worked at the Gold Coast University Hospital, the Toowoomba Base Hospital and at the St Andrews Hospital in Toowoomba. He gained solid experience with acute medicine and cardiac emergency units, aiding the development of the Rapid Access Heart Centre at St. Andrews Hospital. His time treating emergency cardiac issues led to an interest in studying an ultrasound course and becoming a member of the Australasian Society of Ultrasound in Medicine.
Working as a GP for two years, Dr. Teo saw firsthand how severe the impact of having painful, swollen legs could be. He witnessed the transformative potential modern Phlebological treatment could have in combining ultrasound skills with the cutting edge treatment of chronic venous disease and leg ulcers.
Dr. Teo further cemented his qualifications to treat spider veins and varicose veins by becoming a certified sclerotherapist, working towards a Fellowship with the Australasian College of Phlebology. Outside of medicine, Dr Teo has lived and studied in Singapore, in the USA and in Canada. He enjoys swimming, snowboarding, and spending time on the beach with his family.
After graduating from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, Dr Jackman travelled all across Australia, gathering experience in Cairns, Darwin, and Broome.
Dr Jackman spent several years with the Royal Flying Doctors, helping people in far off communities, and has been a GP for over 15 years. Through her GP experience, she gained a high valuation for how movement and mobility affects many aspects of a person’s wellbeing, and led her to gaining irreplaceable knowledge from the Australasian College of Phlebology and becoming a sclerotherapy gold medal recipient from the college.
We are delighted that Dr Jackman has found a home as part of the Vein Doctors Group family.
Outside of the medical world, Dr Jackman continues to push herself physically and mentally. She refined her sense of aesthetics and appreciation of beauty through studying Fashion and Textile Design in Perth, and also enjoys a passion in kitesurfing. The latter of which led her competing in the Women’s Open Ocean Kite Foiling race in Mauritius against an elite field of international competitors.
Dr Jackman’s personal attentiveness toward physical and mental health has motivated her to practice the same philosophy toward her patients. In particular, she respects the importance movement and mobility has on every aspect on one’s wellbeing, and how an effective treatment of vein issues can significantly enhance her efforts in those pursuits.
Dr Stuart McMaster joined the Vein Doctors Group in 2019, having previously worked with Dr Lekich in providing an outreach vein clinic in Mackay in the early 2010s, and provided vein treatment services to patients on Brisbane’s North Side since the mid 2000s.
Dr McMaster graduated from the University of Otago Medical School in 1987, working initially as a general practitioner and rural hospital clinician and obtaining general practice fellowship (FRNZGP) in 1991. Emigrating to Brisbane in 2003, he then pursued special interests of Skin Cancer medicine and Phlebology to add to his general practice skills. As one of the first cohort of doctors to graduate with the Australasian College of Phlebology, Dr McMaster gained his experience particularly under the mentorship of Dr David Jenkins in Sydney, as well as Dr Kurosh Parsi, Dr Paul Thibault and Professor Lourens Bester.
Dr McMaster continues to practice and has substantial clinical experience in the use of all of the modern non-surgical means to treat both varicose and surface veins. He also manages other venous problems of the lower limbs such as venous malformations, superficial phlebitis and deep vein thrombosis. As well as this he maintains a broad interest in General Practice, emergency medicine, rural and remote medicine, and skin cancer medicine.
Dr McMaster has held positions as an Examiner with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and the Chief Censor with the Australasian College of Phlebology.
Dr McMaster’s philosophy is to treat venous diseases in the most efficient and effective manner possible, while avoiding unnecessary and potentially harmful interventions. He aims to give every person who attends an improvement in their knowledge of venous disease, an improvement in their symptoms and appearance of their veins, and a better quality of life.
Dr. Jane Cross
Dr Jane Cross is a vascular, endovascular and general surgeon working in North Sydney.
Dr Cross was awarded a Master’s degree from Cambridge University, UK. She then completed her medical education in London where she graduated with a distinction in her MBBS (University of London). She undertook an internship in London and residency in Bristol before being accepted onto the Oxford Basic Surgical Training Programme. Having gained membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (MRCS), she was then accepted onto the Oxford Higher Surgical Training Programme where she underwent specialist training in both General and Vascular Surgery. During her training she completed a Medical Doctorate degree at University College London (UCL). She was awarded her Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FRCS) before competing clinical fellowships in Paris and Sydney. She gained Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) and has worked at consultant level in Lismore, northern NSW, for the past seven years. She has recently made the move to Sydney and has happily worked at our North Sydney clinic ever since.
Her specialist areas include arterial, venous, aneurysmal, fistula, carotid, hernia, cholecystectomy, laparoscopic, skin and breast surgery.
I often get asked are there any natural treatments for varicose veins and spider veins. The answer depends on what aspect of veins you are trying to treat. If it is the ache from varicose veins there is ONLY ONE product that has undergone any sort of rigorous scientific evaluation and that is Horse Chestnut Extract. This has been demonstrated to help leg pain and swelling when compared to placebo (Cochrane Database Syst. Review 2006).
Another product that has been heavily advertised is Veins Clear (refer my previous blog post) but there is no scientific study that demonstrates that Veins Clear has any effect on treating any type of leg veins. Vein Away is another product that made lots of claims but these were found to be unsubstantiated when it was compared to placebo in a scientifically controlled study. This study was conducted by Dr Sue McKoy and presented at a Phlebology conference. There has actually NEVER been a product that has EVER been scientifically demonstrated to improve the appearance of veins or halt the progression of the condition. Reflexology and acupuncture / acupressure maybe useful in the management of the ache due to varicose veins but there are no scientific studies that I am aware of that confirms the effectiveness of these approaches.
Dr Varcoe, I note that you talk about other manual type therapies like reflexology. Does lymphatic massage or draining help? I suffer from poor circulation in my legs and even though I have had treatment for veins and this helps tonnes, still have puffy
legs. 🙁 Read a bit about lymphoedema which seems to go hand in hand with poor veins. Any advice appreciated.
what is the recommended dose for the horse chestnut extract?
Hi Jeff, I have seen doses from 300mg two times a day and up to 500mg of horse chestnut seed extract 3 times a day. If you are going to use this type of product go to a reputable source (pharmacy or health food shop) for your information and dosage guidelines.
As with all products there can be side effects which can be dose dependent so you need to get advise from people who have experience with this product. I personally have never used or prescribed this product as people seeking my services invariably want their
problem fixed rather than the symptoms treated
Hi Jennifer, You are correct in believing that patients with vein problems often have a mixed picture that involves some dysfunction of the lymphatic system. This is more likely to be the situation in the more severe cases. Treatment of your lymphatic
system with lymphatic massage / drainage may improve your symptoms of swelling and ache but will not effect the progression of any venous disorder that you may also have.
Hi, stumbled across this post @Jeff – I got some liquid extract at my local health food shop, Go Vita. They seem to have a range of quality herbal supplements from Mediherb. I got a liquid supplement to take 5mls a day. Bitter taste but hopefully results
with some of my issues.
Hi Crystal, Please keep me updated about your progress. I am specifically interested in feedback about whether people are finding horse chestnut useful for swelling and aching of their legs ( especially if they also have varicose veins). Dr Paul Varcoe
Hi Dr V, i have been taking the liquid extract, but it’s only been a couple of weeks. The naturopath who advised me said it could take up to 6 weeks to notice any difference in legs. The liquid extract has made me very nauseaous a couple of times. I have
taken it before a meal on empty stomach, so I won’t be doing that again. :/
Hi Crystal, Thanks for the update. Are you taking HCE for aching, swelling or both? It would be great if you could give a rating for how your symptoms are and if they change. I suggest you rank your initial symptom(s) out of 5 (1= mild, 5 = severe) and
then note the change (if any) over time. What dose are you on?
I had sclerotherapy done nearly seven years ago and after only three sessions, my spider veins disappeared. Last year they started coming back and I am thinking of having sclerotherapy again. I would like to know who is permitted to perform this kind of
procedure? Can it be a GP? I am trying to avoid long drive down to Penrith (I live in the Upper Mountains). Thanks folks.