One possible prescription:
- Hawthorn
- Prickly Ash
- Ginkgo
- Yarrow
- Horsechestnut equal parts to 5 ml taken 3 times a day
A Lotion for external use:
- distilled Witch Hazel 80 ml
- Horsechestnut tincture 10 ml
- Comfrey tincture 10 ml
- Total 100 ml
- Apply liberally as needed to ease irritation and discomfort
- (rose water may be added to the lotion for cosmetic reasons)
This supplies the range of actions needed to help circulation and return tissue tone.
- Circulatory Stimulant (Prickly Ash, Ginkgo)
- Vascular Tonics (Hawthorn, Horsechestnut, Yarrow)
- Astringents (Yarrow, Witch Hazel)
- Emollient/Demulcents (Comfrey)
- Vulneraries (Comfrey)
- Anti-inflammatories (Horsechestnut)
Broader Context of Treatment
Life-style factors are very important in the long-term treatment of this sometimes intransigent condition. Diet is as important here as for the rest of the cardiovascular system. Similar guidelines apply for varicosity as for pathologies already described. The main insight is the avoidance of postures or situations that aggravate the resistance to easy venous return from the legs. Anything that counteracts the effects of gravity will be helpful.
Resting with the legs higher than the head for at least 10 minutes every day will help both long-term and also decrease any immediate discomfort. This maybe achieved through the inverted postures of yoga, a slant-board, or simply lying on the floor with the legs and feet supported by a chair. The foot of the bed can be elevated between 6-12 inches, thus facilitating drainage at night. Gentle exercise is helpful. Walking, and gentle stretching exercises are suitable, but jogging, skipping, aerobics and other exercises which involve repeated impact can do more harm than good. However, such exercise would be so uncomfortable for anybody with varicose veins that they would be unlikely to try it for more than a very short time.
Aroma therapy can help improve the general tone of the veins when used in abroad holistic context. Cypress oil has a good reputation for strengthening the veins in the legs. It can be used as a bath oil and applied very gently over the area of the affected veins. Massage can be used above the affected area of the vein but must never be used below the varicosity, as this will increase the pressure in the vein. Cypress oil can either be blended in a carrier oil at 3% or made up in a cream. | 
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Whilst working in conservation and lecturing in ecology and the eco-crisis for the University of Wales, David Hoffman became convinced that to heal the world, to embrace planetary wholeness and responsibility for it 
