Complementary medicines for vascular conditions

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common health problem, particularly in the elderly. Poor blood flow in the veins of the legs can cause leg pain, swelling, oedema, and pruritus (itchiness), as well as dermatosclerosis (hardening of the skin), varicose veins and skin ulceration.1,2 The condition is thought to be caused by venous hypertension secondary to deep or superficial venous valvular reflux and results in pathologic inflammation.