Heavy Legs and Varicose Veins

A feeling of heaviness in the legs, puffiness after standing for any length of time, and the appearance or worsening of varicose veins are all common symptoms among pregnant women. To help these conditions, your diet should be rich in the following:

- Vitamin E, found principally in asparagus, spinach, whole-grain cereals, wheatgerm, cold-pressed oils such as olive oil, lettuce, and soya beans

- Vitamin C, which is plentiful in citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, and grape­fruits), spinach, parsley, and tomatoes

- Vitamin B3, which comes mainly from black and redcurrants, brewer's yeast, blackberries, and blueberries

Homeopathy

Hamamelis

You can take Aesculus composition (Heel) which contains Hamamelis D4 and Aesculus D1 among others:
- Available in drop bottles containing 30 and 100ml
- In general 10 drops 3 times daily. In acute disorders initially 10 drops every 15 minutes

Hamamelis virginiana

- Vegetable origin: a small shrub, the Virginian witch hazel
- The homeopathic remedy for congestion and inflammation of the veins
- A specific indication: the pain is made worse by heat

Herbal remedies

Witch hazel, horse chestnut, and red vine leaf

Possible Prescription: Ask for a prepara tion of dried extracts of witch hazel and red vine leaf, 150mg of each in a No.2 capsule (the size of the capsule that the herbalist will use for the ingredients). Take one capsule in the morning and other at night for several days.