There comes a time in every woman’s life when we notice our circulation is not what it used to be. It may be a subtle feeling of heaviness and swelling in the legs. Or it may be much more intense and noticeable, such as protruding varicose veins or painful hemorrhoids. Whatever the degree of “venous insufficiency,” the sooner we attend to our circulation problems, the better we will feel and the healthier we will be! When circulation is good, everything is good.
What is our circulatory system & what does it do? Our circulatory system, also called the vascular system, is defined by medical experts as “the system that moves blood throughout the body” and is composed of the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins. The optimal circulation of blood through the body ensures the distribution of nutrients and oxygen and the removal of waste products.
What are veins & what do they do? Veins are elastic blood vessels. They are different sizes depending on their function and location. Our venous (vein) system is the part of our circulatory system that transports blood from all the organs in the body to the heart and then to the lungs. Our veins also act as storage vessels for unused blood. In order to do their job, the walls of our veins need to be elastic and flexible
What is “venous insufficiency?” When our veins have flexibility and elasticity they work well and function sufficiently to support healthy circulation. But sometimes, they lose their elasticity due to low antioxidant intake, poor diet, smoking, inactivity, aging, obesity, blood clots and genetic factors. This leads to “venous insufficiency,” a failure to adequately circulate the blood from the veins of the legs back to the heart. This can eventuate in fluid pooling in the legs, varicose veins, spider veins and hemorrhoids. Statistics show that women are far more likely to suffer from these circulatory problems than are men, due to hormonal factors and pregnancy.
What is Prairie Naturals Vena-FemmeTM & how does it work? Prairie Naturals Vena-FemmeTM is a synergistic formulation combining therapeutic dosages of antioxidant-rich, plant-based medicines proven to be effective in treating poor circulation and venous sufficiency. The therapeutic ingredients in Vena-FemmeTM are:
Citrus Bioflavonoids – Possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties and promote elasticity and strengthening of blood vessel walls which improves circulation. They are recognized as beneficial in the treatment of venous insufficiency, spider veins, varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
Horse Chestnut Seed Extract (Aesculus hippocastanum) – This standardized extract with 20% aescin is recommended by natural health experts for venous insufficiency, varicose veins, hemorrhoids and other circulation problems. Widely used for decades as a prescribed medicine for varicose veins in Germany, horse chestnut extract has been shown to be safe and effective. Aescin, it’s most active constituent, helps support normal vessel wall functioning and relieves the pain and swelling of varicose veins.
Butcher’s Broom Extract (Ruscus aculeatus) – Standardized to contain 10% ruscogenins, this lovely medicinal plant is native to the Mediterranean. As a traditional herbal remedy for varicose veins and other circulatory conditions, butcher’s broom has been shown to relieve leg pain, swelling, itching, cramping, heaviness, tension and numbness caused by poor circulation.
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract (Ginkgo biloba) – Standardized to contain 24% flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones, this “living fossil” is one of the most prescribed medicinal plants in the world. Ginkgo’s ability to widen and relax blood vessels may reduce venous insufficiency. Ginkgo’s antioxidant properties help neutralize free radicals in the body that are associated with obstructing circulation.
MegaNatural® Broad Spectrum Grape Seed Extract (Vitis vinifera) – Standardized to 94% total polyphenols, this is premium quality grape seed extract! Grape seed extract is commonly prescribed in France for varicose veins and other circulatory problems. It contains powerful antioxidant compounds called oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), which have been found to make blood vessels more elastic and less likely to leak fluids that cause the leg swelling often associated with varicose veins.
12 Highly Effective Ways to Improve Woman’s Circulation
- Vena-Femme.
- Do not smoke.
- Avoid high heels.
- Lose excess weight.
- Eat more citrus fruits.
- Get a regular massage.
- Practice Tai Chi and/or yoga.
- Don’t sit with your legs crossed.
- Exercise more, especially walking.
- Eat more ginger, garlic & chili peppers
- Avoid standing or sitting for a long time.
- Keep your legs raised above your heart when you’re lying down.
References & Sources:
- http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/venous-insufficiency-topic-overview
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000203.htm
- New Concepts in Nutraceuticals as Alternative for Pharmaceuticals http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4336979/ by H Nasri – 2014 Hesperidin is used for the treatment of venous insufficiency and hemorrhoids
- Glob Adv Health Med. 2012 Mar; 1(1): 122–123.Published online 2012 Mar 1. doi: 10.7453/gahmj.2012.1.1.018PMCID: PMC3833478 Cochrane Summary of Findings: Horse Chestnut Seed Extract for Chronic Venous Insufficiency Vigdis Underland, MS, Ingvil Sæterdal, PhD, and Elin Strømme Nilsen,
- http://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/health-centers/women/womens-health-tip-what-works-for-varicose-veins/
- www.drweil.com
