Olive oil, a natural solution against varicose veins?

Varicose veins are a chronic venous disorder where veins are in permanent dilation and exhibit abnormal prominence under the skin. They occur in the lower limbs. Vein wall weakness, of hereditary origin in most cases, leads to vein deformity. The condition involves valve dysfunction and impaired venous return. Venous valves are unidirectional and ensure blood flow toward the heart. In varicose veins, valve failure hinders blood return to the heart.

Besides heredity, several factors increase the risk of venous disorders and the development of varicose veins, including aging and sedentary behavior. Left untreated, varicose veins may cause complications such as phlebitis or venous ulcers. Varicose veins are more common in people assigned female at birth due to a combination of hormonal, physiological, and behavioral factors. Indeed, the progesterone produced by the ovaries has a vasodilating effect and can reduce venous return, while pregnancies represent major risk factors for the development of varicose veins. High-heel use, more common among people assigned female at birth, limits the efficiency of the venous pump.

Varicose veins can cause discomfort during daily activities.

To treat varicose veins, you can wear compression stockings, use venotonic medications, or destroy veins with radiofrequency or laser. At the same time, natural alternatives are emerging, such as the use of olive oil. Known in cooking, this vegetable oil is used in topical applications and contains bioactive compounds called venotonics, such as flavonoids and vitamin E. It is thought that these molecules could play a role in improving blood flow and thus in the progression of varicose veins.

Flavonoids are polyphenols that act on endothelial cells lining blood vessels. They regulate nitric oxide production, a vasodilator molecule. By stimulating NO release and reducing oxidative stress, flavonoids improve capillary strength. They reduce inflammation and decrease vessel permeability, which limits vein dilation. As for vitamin E, it stabilizes cell membranes and protects membrane lipids from lipid peroxidation. This helps preserve venous wall integrity, a beneficial action in varicose vein prevention.

To date, there is no scientific evidence supporting olive oil’s effects on varicose veins, whether ingested or applied topically.

Despite limited research, the use of olive oil in massage could offer benefits and contribute to stimulating blood flow, improving circulation, and reducing lower limb discomfort thanks to its bioactive compounds. Massages are often cited as a preventive measure against varicose veins. By applying a gentle upward pressure, the massage mechanically activates blood movement and reduces venous stasis, which is the accumulation of blood in the veins, a major factor in varicose vein formation. When used regularly, massage can serve as complementary support to prevent venous insufficiency. Adding olive oil could enhance these effects but does not constitute a treatment for varicose veins.

If you have varicose veins and want to reduce them, we recommend consulting your primary care physician or a phlebologist.

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• CHAWLA P. & al. A Comprehensive review on varicose veins: Preventive measures and different treatments. Journal of the American College of Nutrition (2021).

• DESHMUKH S. & al. Varicose veins: A systematic review ofthe diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2024).