Varicose veins, those dilated veins in the legs, are not only unsightly but also painful. Maria Treben treated numerous individuals with a combination of venotonic, anti-inflammatory, and healing herbs, relying on the effectiveness of horse chestnut, horsetail, and walnut leaves.
What Maria Treben Said:
For varicose veins, local compresses with walnut leaves and poultices with horse chestnut tea are the most useful. Horsetail strengthens the vascular walls from the inside. Maria Treben
Recipe (Authentic)
1. Foot Bath with Walnut Leaves
- 2 handfuls of fresh walnut leaves (or 100 g dried)
- Soak in one liter of cold water from evening until morning.
- In the morning, heat until almost boiling and add to a basin with warm water.
- Take foot baths for 15-20 minutes, daily or every other day.
2. Horse Chestnut Tea (Internal and Compresses)
- Use bark or flowers of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum).
- 1 tablespoon per 250 ml of water, infuse for 5-7 minutes.
- Drink 1-2 cups per day for 3-4 weeks.
- In parallel, make local compresses with the same tea, applied to the varicose area for 20-30 minutes.
3. Horsetail (for strengthening blood vessels)
- 1 tablespoon of horsetail (Equisetum arvense) per 250 ml of water, infuse for 10 minutes.
- Drink 1 cup in the morning on an empty stomach for 3 weeks.
- Optional: a 2-week course, followed by a 1-week break, then resume.
Benefits
Horse Chestnut:
- Contains aescin, which tones the veins and reduces inflammation.
- Improves circulation and reduces the feeling of heavy legs.
- Effective for hemorrhoids, varicose veins, mild thrombophlebitis.
Walnut Leaves:
- Have astringent, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
- In local applications, reduce swelling, inflammation, and skin irritation.
Horsetail:
- Rich in natural silica, strengthens the vascular wall and helps reduce capillary fragility.
- Is a good detoxifier and remineralizer.
Contraindications
- Horse chestnut should not be administered to individuals with low blood coagulation, anticoagulant treatments, or severe gastritis.
- Horsetail is contraindicated in severe kidney insufficiency.
- Walnut leaves may irritate sensitive skin; test with a small amount beforehand.
Sources:
- Maria Treben – Health from the Pharmacy of the Lord
- Phytomedicine Journal, Aesculus hippocastanum extract in chronic venous insufficiency
- Planta Medica, Equisetum arvense and vascular tissue regeneration
