I’ve written up a post on the best herbal remedies for varicose veins and thought that a companion article was in order! Cuz’ you can’t have enough remedies for unsightly veins amiright? Granted, I don’t have them all THAT bad, but I still hate to think that my overall vein health is a bit lacking.
Today’s post is going to cover the best essential oils I could find for shrinking varicose veins, reducing their appearance, and preventing recurrence. So let’s get to it!
What Are Varicose Veins?
Varicose veins are abnormally enlarged and swollen veins that occur most often in the legs. They are usually accompanied by a dull, aching pain as a result of weakened valves inside the vein which causes the legs to feel heavy crampy. Blood can only go towards the heart in veins, so when the valves that help prevent blood from pooling back down become compromised, blood begins to accumulate and stretch out the vein. This causes spider and varicose veins.
Varicose veins are not considered harmful if the affected vein is near the surface, however, if a vein is deep within the leg, problems such as thrombophlebitis (blood clots), pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs), stroke, and myocardial infarction (heart attack) can occur. Most of the time though, varicose veins are merely cosmetically unappealing.
Root Causes of Varicose Veins
• Genetic weakness of the veins or venous valves
• Excessive pressure on the veins while straining due to constipation
• Lack of exercise or daily movement
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Poor posture i.e. sitting cross-legged, standing, or sitting all day
Therapeutic Strategy for Treating Varicose Veins
• Eat a diet high in fiber and low in processed foods
• Exercise regularly
• Use tonifying herbs
• Use essential oils
• Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time
The Best Essential Oils for Shrinking Varicose Veins
There are many essential oils that can assist in the natural treatment of varicose veins and the best ones will have the following properties:
1. Venous decongestant – will help thin the blood and move stagnation
2. Circulatory stimulant – will increase circulation
3. Astringent action – will tighten, tone, and strengthen vein walls
4. Anti-inflammatory – will reduce inflammation
I’ve listed some of the most efficient essential oils from each of these categories below so that you can formulate your own varicose vein recipes at home with what you have on hand. I’ll leave an asterisk next to the ones I feel are the most potent and have had good results for others.
Venous Decongestant Essential Oils
These oils will help decongest thick and stagnant blood that doesn’t flow easily in the veins which is caused by standing or sitting for long periods of time. This will prevent unnecessary stretching and strain on valves and vein walls.
Some of the best essential oils with venous decongestant qualities include:
• Cypress*
• Grapefruit
• Helichrysum*
• Lemongrass*
• Rock Rose (aka Cistus essential oil)
• Sage
• Sandalwood*
• Valor (this blend is amazing for de-clumping red blood cells – learn to make your own here)
• Yarrow*
Essential Oils That Stimulate Circulation
Using warming or cooling essential oils will help dilate and constrict blood vessels and promote healthy circulation. These oils are especially useful for treating varicose veins since they’re most often caused by standing or sitting for long periods of time. Using essential oils with these vaso-dilating/constricting qualities will keep blood moving toward the heart and prevent blood from pooling near the valves. This will reduce the appearance and discomfort of varicose veins.
Some of the best essential oils for stimulating circulation include:
• Basil
• Black Pepper*
• Cedarwood
• Cypress*
• Frankincense*
• Geranium
• Ginger*
• Helichrysum*
• Hyssop
• Juniper Berry*
• Laurel
• Lemon* (be sure to use steam distilled unless the area is covered with clothing while in sunlight)
• Lime (do not expose application area to sunlight)
• Myrrh
• Orange
• Oregano
• Peppermint*
• Rock Rose
• Rosemary
• Wintergreen
Astringent Essential Oils for Strengthening Veins
These essential oils will tighten surrounding tissues and veins which helps strengthen damaged vein walls.
Some of the best astringent essential oils for toning veins include:
• Black Spruce
• Clary Sage*
• Lemon*
• Mandarin
• Myrrh
• Rock Rose
• Rose*
• Rosemary*
• Sage
• Yarrow*
Anti-inflammatory Essential Oils for Vein Health
Controlling and bringing down inflammation not only in the body but in the surrounding tissues of the affected vein will help heal varicose veins faster. When inflammation is high, the compromised valves cannot revert back to a toned and healthy state. You must include an anti-inflammatory essential oil to bring healing varicose veins full-circle.
Some of the best anti-inflammatory essential oils include:
• Clove*
• Cinnamon
• Eucalyptus globulus
• German Chamomile*
• Ginger*
• Helichrysum*
• Lavender*
• Marjoram
• Peppermint*
• Roman Chamomile
• Thyme
• Yarrow*
The Best Essential Oil Recipe for Shrinking Varicose Veins
One of the keys to shrinking varicose veins is to alternate formulas so that you get the most benefit. So if one day you use lemongrass and rosemary, the next you would use helichrysum and cypress etc.
The recipe I’ve created below can be split or used as one formula. I realize I’ve used some expensive essential oils in my blend, but they’re honestly worth their weight in gold for so many afflictions that I can’t imagine not owning these oils. Varicose veins are also stubborn little buggers, so you may need to use an especially powerful oil to lessen their appearance. The one oil I would absolutely recommend having is helichrysum essential oil.
Here’s what you’re going to need for a 3% dilution:
• 4oz dropper bottle
• Carrier oil of choice (sweet almond, grapeseed, fractionated coconut oil, etc.)
• 4 drops black pepper essential oil
• 16 drops cypress essential oil
• 8 drops german chamomile
• 8 drops helichrysum essential oil
• 12 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 8 drops peppermint essential oil
• 8 drops rosemary essential oil
• 4 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 4 drops yarrow essential oil
For a total of 72 drops of essential oil in 4oz of carrier oil. This is a 3% dilution and is considered save for most people (do your research!). If you want to strengthen the formula, refer to the table below.
Loving Preparation
Add all of the essential oils to the dropper bottle one by one and then add the carrier oil up to the shoulder of the bottle. Cap closed and roll between your palms to mix.
I have also made a roll-on version of this formula which you can see below. Aren’t the color of the EOs neat?
To Use:
Add a nickel sized amount to your palm and apply in a gentle upward motion ABOVE the affected veins morning and night towards the heart. Allow the mixture to absorb as much as possible before dressing. After your veins have improved (which can take anywhere from 3 months to a year), you can apply this mixture once daily thereafter for maintenance.
Why These Essential Oils Work for Shrinking Varicose Veins
Black Pepper Essential Oil
Black pepper is a warming essential oil that stimulates blood flow. It is also a fantastic anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
Cypress Essential Oil
Cypress essential oil is one of the most effective essential oils for reducing and preventing varicose veins. It strengthens blood capillaries, improve circulation, and reduces the aches and pains associated with varicose veins.
German Chamomile
German chamomile is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory essential oils. Adding it to this blend will help the other oils repair, tonify, and strengthen vein walls and valves.
Helichrysum Essential Oil
Helicrysum essential oil is one of the best restorative oils for damaged skin, vein, and tissues. Its anticoagulant properties help dissolve blood clots and reduce blood stickiness. Helichrysum also improves circulation and brings down inflammation when applied topically and is one of the best essential oils for shrinking varicose veins.
Lemongrass essential oil
Lemongrass essential oil dilates blood vessels and increases circulation. It also rebuilds and strengthens capillaries.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint’s cooling action will reduce pain, stimulate good blood flow, and bring down inflammation. Using it in conjunction with a warming oil like I have with black pepper, will cause a synergistic effect that both dilates and constricts blood vessels. This action will help stimulate circulation.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary is especially beneficial for promoting arterial and peripheral circulation. Its warming nature helps move blood and thin stickiness.
Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood essential oil decongests the veins, stimulates healthy circulation, and helps shrink varicose veins.
Yarrow Essential Oil
Yarrow is known for its balancing properties. If your body is too far on one end of the spectrum, no matter what ails you, yarrow seems to bring you back to equilibrium. Yarrow is a fantastic stimulant for the circulatory system and moves stagnant blood in the veins to its rightful destination.
What have been your favorite varicose vein blends? Please share them in the comments below!
For more recipe for shrinking varicose veins, check out the articles below:
Essential Oil Blend for Vein Support and Gorgeous Legs
Essential Oil Recipes for Varicose Vein Treatment
7 Best Essential Oils for Varicose Veins
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I have tried Cypress for my varicose veins and while I can’t say it shrinks them, I can say it does seem to improve circulation and help keep any discomfort from my varicose veins which I really appreciate.
I have Spider Veins & Varicose Veins (but not bulging). I want to make this Mix Oils (Career with Essential Oils), but I couldn’t buy until 10 essential oils, because they are really expensive!…
My question is: What the Mainly of Essential Oils can *Reduce the Appearance of the Veins* please!…
Thank You For Answer!… 🙏
Hello Tash! I have been diagnosed with venous insufficiency after an ultrasound of my lower extremity veins 🙁 My legs do not show obvious varicose veins or spider veins but some veins do bulge. My results indicate insufficiencies and blood pooling in DEEP veins of the legs AND thighs (due to leaky valves). I would like to ask what combination of oils would be best to strengthen the vein walls, the valves, increase circulation, thin out the blood to avoid clots? Also, when I apply the oils, does it reach deep into the deep veins and not just the superficial veins? Lastly, where (or what brand) do you recommend I purchase oils from (this is my first time to buy them)? Thanks so much for your help. Your post has given me hope despite the bad news 😀
I had a venous lake (purple blood vessel) on my lip lasered off 6 years ago with perfect results. Over the last 2 years it has slowly come back and it looks like it has spread. I’m afraid to get the treatment again for fear it will get even bigger 5 years from now.
I’ve read that Helichrysum oil can help shrink the veins but would your recipe be ok for your lips? The skin is thin. Is there anything wrong applying just the Helichrysum oil directly to the spot on my lip? Also any danger with ingestion? (in case you accidentally lick lips)
Thanks for your insight,
im from sri lanka.My sister has been suffering by vericos vain since 15 year.now she is 35 years old.Her mother also had it.
Her both leg had it & swelling them.we can find out garlic,ginger,orange,pepermint ,clove,cinnamon,coconut oil.would you please suggest some oil mixture for massage for cure it..
Hi tash
I have a varicous vein on my shin bone and behind the knee on the same leg. Im on my feet doinb 13.5 hour shifts. My veins appeared around 7 years ago, im 54. Not overweight and pretty good figness level. Sometimes my leg feels a little heavy. What oul blend do you suggest i use and how do i use it. I would like to reduce the look. They are nog the worse kind of vein buf i am aware of them in summer when wearind s dress.
This one:
• 4oz dropper bottle
• Carrier oil of choice (sweet almond, grapeseed, fractionated coconut oil, etc.)
• 4 drops black pepper essential oil
• 16 drops cypress essential oil
• 8 drops german chamomile
• 8 drops helichrysum essential oil
• 12 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 8 drops peppermint essential oil
• 8 drops rosemary essential oil
• 4 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 4 drops yarrow essential oil
Best of luck! 🙂 Apply it at least once per day but twice is better.
I have Frankincense, Helichrysum, Lemongrass, and Lavender in a carrier oil to put on my legs. Which others do you recommend that I should add? I have Peppermint and Rosemary too. The others I don’t currently.
That mix should be fine! The lemongrass will really help 🙂
I’d like to know how many drops of each of these oils to use in the list of best oils to use and their use. I have little spots of broken blood vessels that spring up. I’ve just dealt with them by rubbing them gently using frankincense and an emu cream.
Thanks,
Miriam
I have have found lemongrass to be really helpful for this! Mix 4 drops in 1 oz of carrier oil and apply topically.
Hi,
Thanks for the informative article. In regards to hemoriohds treatment can I dilute EOs with organic Witch Hazel astringent?
Yes! 🙂
Can this be used for hand veins? Or do you have a different blend?
Hi Marie!
it can be used for any veins in a non-sensitive area so hands are fine!
I have just started to
use eo on my veins i have bought the oils buy how do you know if the oils are of good quality or not.? Thank you, anne
My favorite brand is Plant therapy and they are a very reputable company 🙂
Hi, I have spider veins on my eyelids which are a bit unsightly and I tend to cover with make up. I realise the skin around your eyes is more delicate. Could you give any advice about whether this would work perhaps a weaker dilution? Any eos to avoid? Thanks very much.
Yes! it would work but I would dilute it to like a 0.5% dilution. 1% max. Try lower first to see how it feels.
Are these oils good for hemmroids?
Hi Glorie!
They can be used for hemorrhoids, but I would advise diluting them even further before use! I would also avoid using any of the oils that are categorized under “will stimulate circulation”.
What would be the risks in using the stimulating verity?
Wanting to to know because I’ve bought
Helichrythium, cypress, clary sage, lemongrass to make my own mix should I opt out the cypress?
Hi Amber!
I have personally used cypress to good effect, but everyone is different. You can always try making a formula without it to see how it does 🙂 Cypress is known to strengthen the vein walls, so I think it’s still a great oil to use.
Hi Tash! Do you have any available product of this essential oil for varicose veins ? Thank you.
Hi Jocelyn!
I don’t currently sell any blends. If you’re able to make this one, it’s fantastic!
I just wanted to say thank you for this recipe. I discovered it while searching for essential oil varicose vein solutions. I have horrible, painful varicose veins in my calf, ankle and foot and was looking for a natural relief. It was so bad, on some days, I could barely walk. I use this recipe almost exactly as is (except for yarrow) and it is a lifesaver for my pain. Although I can’t attest to reduction in the look of my veins, the pain relief after using this recipe is incredible! Our trip to Dallas this past July (with lots of walking in the heat) was made possible and bearable by using this recipe.
That’s wonderful, Rachel! SO glad it helped as much as it did 🙂
I want to treat my Fathers leg ulcers. I have looked into Helichrysum and Yarrow oil for this. What dilution would you recommend for this. I’m thinking Fractionated Coconut Oil for a carrier oil. Great website!!! Very informative.
Hi Robert!
Helichrysum has a max dilution of 0.5% and yarrow has a max dilution of 8.6%. I would aim for around a 2-3% dilution. So, if you make a roll-on size (10ml or 1/3oz) you would use 1 drop of helichrysum and about 5-6 drops of yarrow. 🙂
After I gave birth to my second son, varicose and spider veins started to appear on my legs. Actually, I was really worried so I went to the doctor as soon as I could he recommended Venorid treatment for varicose veins, and it is amazing!
Good to know Eva!
Hi. I hope this works. I LOVE my EO’s (with an MLM company but I won’t say the name here) but don’t have TIME to do a lot of research so….. I’m having my veins done soon and would like to make a SPRAY (rubbing in anything is awful) for recovery of FCO plus EOs for my benefit ? Also, I don’t want to use 10 diff. ones and waste them as some are NOT cheap. 🙂 TY for the suggestions !
Hi Andrea!
I would suggest going with Cypress if you’re looking for an EO that pretty much does it all as far as circulation goes 🙂 And you can definitely make a spray using FCO, just try to find a nozzle that can spray oil. Might have to experiment a bit!
Hi Tash..just read some where that the carrier oil 1 tps nd yarrow oil 4 drop mixture will help to reduce the problem of vericose vein..hope this mixture is ok to use twice a day
Hi Meenu!
Yes, that is fine to use 🙂
I have varicose veins too.. Honestly what is the very best blend of oils for them..and do you need a carrier oil too..there’s so many oils out there it’s hard to know which ones work together for the veins..
Hey! Thanks so much for putting this together! How much of the carrier oil should I use (measurement)? I’m new to blending my own oils and just want to make sure I understand. I am assuming I just fill up the 4oz bottle after the essential oils have been added, is this correct?
Hi Ashley!
Check out this post to see how much essential oil to add to carrier oil to further your knowledge 🙂 But to answer your question, yes! Add in the essential oils first and then fill to the shoulder of the bottle with carrier oil! Best of luck!
Why do you apply above the vein? My varicose vein starts lower on my leg and runs right through my knee (my knee is where its the worst) and up to the middle of my inner thigh. Where would you suggest to apply the oils?
Hi Chelsie!
From my research, it is because the weakened part of the vein that causes varicose veins is often above affected area. I personally will still apply it all around the vein just in case 🙂 If you’re using a roll on this is very easy to do: simply apply the blend very gently along the vein (you do not want to apply pressure as this can further damage the weakened walls of the vein). Then just massage it in. I use the lightest amount of pressure possible to do this.
Thank you for this information! I’ve made the recipe you gave but am also confused about application. I have ugly red/purple spider veins all around ankles and dotted around thighs as well as bulging varicose veins along inner knee/upper calves. Do I rub oil above all points (which feels like most of my legs)?
Hi Angelina!
I tend to apply it all around the area just to make sure 🙂
Hello,
Thank you for the information. I am trying to make varicose veins eo blend for my mother. but hypertension is an issue. its within the limit now but im concerned abot the eos, coz i’ve read rosemary is not good for hypertension and also black pepper. would a 3% blend of helichrysum, cypress and geranium in 4oz almond carrier oil be a good combination? Im trying to avoid the photosensitive ones too. If there are other eos that i can include in the perilously mentioned combination please let me know, keeping in mind the hypertension issue. Thank you
Hi Vrinda!
Yes, rosemary and black pepper essential oil are contraindicated for high blood pressure. Same with Pine, sage, and thyme (perhaps a few others so it’s very good to check before using them!). But yes, helichrysum, cypress, and geranium are wonderful oils for shrinking stubborn veins!
Be sure to apply the oil morning and night if possible on and above the affected veins. DO NOT massage the area. Simple apply the oils and very gently spread it over the skin to absorb. 🙂
Hey Tash,
Thanks for the reply 🙂 I’ve put in orders for those three eos and will prepare the blend and give to my mother to try. I will tell her not to massage it, but gently apply it on the veins like you said. Will let you know how it goes in a few months. (I searched the web for effects of these three eos for hypertension and saw that they were safe, thts how I decided to get them for her)
I discovered your site only recently as i was searching about this for my mother, but I’ve been reading up on your other posts and im glad i found it 🙂 Once again thanks a lot for the reply.
Have a happy day 🙂
You’re very welcome Vrinda! 🙂
How many drops of helichrysum, geranium and cypress per a 5oz bottle please.
Hi Debbie!
If you want a 1% dilution, you would add 30 drops total (10 drops of each oil), for a 3% dilution you can add 90 drops total (30 drops of each oil) for a 5oz size. 🙂 I would start with the 1% dilution and see how you like it! 🙂
Hi! I love this article! I have helichrysum, cypress, rosemary, peppermint, lavendar, and clove on hand. What portions would you recommend with those? Do I NEED lemongrass?
Thanks so much! I look forward to reading more from you!!
Sheena
*Bump* I think my comment got list in the shuffle ?