Can CBD Oil Soothe Varicose Vein Symptoms?
CBD oils have been found to be super popular lately, but will they help soothe the symptoms associated with your varicose veins?
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil has recently been known as a remedy for everything from arthritis to anxiety, but can it also alleviate the distressing symptoms of varicose veins, including pain, swelling, cramping, itching, and heaviness? Research done in recent years supports CBD as a possible antidote for chronic pain and inflammation. While this may be true there is a lack of evidence on the benefits of CBD on varicose veins.
So should you try CBD oil if you have varicose veins? As a generally safe, at-home therapy for the symptoms of varicose veins, CBD oil could reduce discomfort — but it won’t cure your symptoms permanently.
CBD Oil and Varicose Veins
CBD is one of two major chemical components of cannabis, which also contains an agent known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When CBD is separated from THC, the resulting CBD compound doesn’t produce an intoxicating reaction, or the “high” typically associated with cannabis. At the same time, CBD is reported to have a soothing effect, which is why it’s so commercially in-demand.
So far, much of the research on cannabis has focused on its potential pain-reduction properties; one 2010 study successfully found that medical marijuana reduced the severity of pain and improved sleep in subjects reporting neuropathic pain. But the question is - can CBD oil alone do the same?
An article published by Harvard Medical School notes that several studies show CBD oil can relieve pain by interacting with our body’s endocannabinoid system, which controls pain perception and mood. The article, however, stresses that those studies were performed on animals, not humans. In another animal study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, CBD reduced inflammation in rats, leading the authors to conclude the substance could be a useful treatment for acute inflammation and pain.
CBD has been advertised to have a non psychoactive effect, a low risk for abuse. CBD is also known as a safe alternative for pain relief. There is still little research that has explored the specific effects of CBD on varicose veins. If you do decide to use CBD oil, it’s wise to check with your doctor first; it may interact negatively with medications you’re already taking for other conditions.
One option for varicose vein relief might be hemp oil extracted from hemp seeds. Hemp and marijuana are from the same species of plant, but hemp contains less THC than marijuana. Hemp also contains good fatty acids like omega 6 and omega 3, which are said to thin blood. When the blood thins through the veins, varicose veins diminish in appearance. Hemp oil smoothed on the skin may also reduce the itching sensation around varicose veins.
As with any herbal remedy, consult with your doctor or vein specialist before either ingesting CBD or using CBD as a lotion. The Mayo Clinic recommends dosages of between 2.5 and 20 milligrams daily for chronic pain. The clinic also points out that different products on the market vary in CBD levels and quality. When choosing a CBD product caution is needed.
Although CBD may reduce the painful symptoms of varicose veins, the only method to rid yourself of those painful, enlarged veins is through surgery. Luckily, current varicose vein treatments are minimally invasive and require no to little anesthesia. Done in a brief office visit, you’ll be ready to resume your normal activities in a matter of hours.
Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center is the premier vein specialty medical practice in the Central Valley. Dr. Mario H. Gonzalez and his staff offer years of experience and medical expertise that you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us to set up a consultation appointment.