Varicose Vein Relief Using Witch Hazel (With DIY Salve Recipe!)

If you’re reading this, chances are you or someone you care about is dealing with varicose veins. My grandma struggled with them for much of her life. I remember her often wearing compression stockings to ease the discomfort and swelling in her legs. Now, in my 40s, I’m starting to face the same issue. Varicose veins may be more common as we age, but that doesn’t make them any less frustrating. They’re often uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and can make you feel self-conscious about your legs. While surgery is an option for severe cases, most of us are looking for gentler, more natural ways to manage them. Although varicose veins are often harmless, the aching and swelling associated with them can cause real discomfort. But varicose vein relief can be achieved using witch hazel—yes, that simple astringent you might already have in your bathroom cabinet. Used topically, witch hazel can provide surprisingly effective relief for varicose veins by helping to reduce swelling, soothe inflammation, and tighten the skin.

In this post, I’ll not only explain how witch hazel works, but I’ll also share a simple DIY recipe for a soothing witch hazel salve that you can make at home. Let’s dive in and get some natural relief!

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged, swollen veins that often appear twisted or bulging, usually on the legs. They happen when the tiny valves inside our veins—which are supposed to keep blood flowing in one direction—become weak or damaged. When that happens, blood can pool in the vein instead of moving smoothly toward the heart, causing the vein to stretch and swell.

You might recognize varicose veins as blue or purple lines just under the skin. But they’re more than just a cosmetic concern—many people experience symptoms like aching, throbbing, heaviness, or swelling in the legs, especially after standing or sitting for long periods.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

The most common culprits are heredity, pregnancy, age, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and prolonged sitting and standing.

Heredity

Unfortunately, some of us are more predisposed to developing varicose veins. Weak veins can be passed down from one generation to another, which means if your mother or grandmother had varicose veins, you have a greater chance of developing them too.

Pregnancy

The extra blood circulating in the body during pregnancy, in addition to hormone changes, can apply extra pressure to veins, weakening them.

Age

As is the case with muscles and skin integrity, veins and valves may weaken with age, resulting in varicose veins.

Body Weight

Carrying extra body weight places additional pressure on legs and veins, potentially weakening them over time.

Sedentary Lifestyle

Lack of physical activity can lead to poor circulation—especially in the legs. That’s why the calf muscle is often called the “second heart”; it plays a crucial role in pumping blood back up toward the heart. However, when your calf muscles aren’t utilized, the blood can pool in the legs and cause additional pressure on the veins. This pressure can weaken vein walls and valves, and result in the vein stretching and bulging.

Prolonged Sitting & Standing

Just like a sedentary lifestyle, prolonged sitting or standing can cause blood to pool in the legs because the calf muscles aren’t actively contracting. To encourage healthy circulation, try doing calf raises when standing for long periods, and take regular walking breaks if you’ve been sitting for a while.

Is there anything I can do to Prevent Varicose Veins?

Thankfully, there are steps we can take to help prevent varicose veins. A diet rich in fibre, leafy greens, and vitamin C; regular low-impact exercise like walking, swimming, or cycling; and maintaining a healthy weight all go a long way in preventing and minimizing varicose veins. Supplements such as horse chestnut and grape seed extract are also known for supporting vein health.

Why Witch Hazel Works for Varicose Veins

Witch hazel contains gallic acid, which is known to strengthen blood vessels. This makes it an excellent application for areas where varicose veins are present.¹

Furthermore, witch hazel has astringent properties, meaning it tightens skin and other tissues. When applied to areas of the skin affected by varicose veins, it constricts those blood vessels, making them smaller and less noticeable. Witch hazel also has anti-inflammatory effects, so it helps reduce swelling, which eases the discomfort from varicose veins.

While witch hazel is not a cure for varicose veins, regular application does improve their appearance and may even help improve blood flow in the area.

How to Use Witch Hazel for Varicose Veins

Witch hazel can be applied externally to treat varicose veins. Here are two popular ways:

Quick Relief: Witch Hazel Compress

Soak a cloth in witch hazel and apply to the affected area for 10-15 minutes.

Repeat twice a day.

Pros: The prep for this method takes just a couple of minutes.

Cons: It’s more time-consuming overall as you need to keep the compress on the skin for at least 10 minutes. You can also tape it onto the skin so you can continue with your regular activities.

DIY Witch Hazel Salve

Make a witch hazel salve and apply to affected areas twice daily.

Pros: very quick and convenient to apply. The jar contains enough salve for many applications.

Cons: You need about 10 minutes to prepare the salve and then another 15 minutes to allow it to cool.

DIY Witch Hazel Salve (Easy Recipe)

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp witch hazel – alcohol-free if possible, like this one
• 1/4 cup shea butter – or coconut oil
• 1 tbsp beeswax
• 10 drops lavender essential oil – optional but good for soothing inflammation, relieving pain, and healing
• 15 drops geranium essential oil – optional but tones blood vessels, improves circulation, and reduces swelling

Instructions

Melt the shea butter and beeswax in a double-boiler (or use a metal bowl fit over a pot containing boiling water).

Remove from heat and stir in witch hazel and essential oils. If the liquid starts to solidify immediately (this may happen if your witch hazel has been kept in a cool place), keep stirring until it liquifies again.

Pour into sterilized jars or tins. I use a 4-oz jar.

Allow to cool completely before covering with a lid.

Notes

• Separation between the oils and the witch hazel is common. To avoid this, add 1/2 tsp of lecithin to the mixture.
• Remember to do a patch test first on a small area of skin before applying it to a larger area.
• The salve should last up to 6 months to a year if kept in a cool location out of direct sunlight.
• Use an applicator to avoid contamination.

Final Thoughts

Witch hazel is a simple and affordable remedy that can help support overall vein health. While it won’t reverse varicose veins, it can reduce discomfort and improve their appearance over time.

Remember to always patch test first and consult a healthcare provider if you have concerns or severe symptoms.

Found this helpful? Try the DIY salve and let me know how it works for you in the comments! Don’t forget to pin or share this post to help others find natural relief too.

Check out the Natural Remedies section for more posts like this!

1. Bourbeau, P. (2020, March 20). Reduce the Risk of Varicose Veins With the Help of Great Home Remedies. Vein Institute of Pinellas. Retrieved May 20, 2025, from https://veinsvip.com/blog/home-vein-remedies/ ↩︎