Swollen and heavy legs: essential oils to lighten them

Swollen legs are a problem we often overlook, although there are simple and natural remedies.

Heat and swollen legs

Summer heat brings good cheer, nice tans, and...swollen legs.

Circulation is severely tested by high temperatures, which cause vasodilation and stagnation in the peripheral venous circulation. The result is heavy and tingling legs... precisely at the time of year when we would most like to be agile and light.

Furthermore, this annoying feeling of heaviness makes us feel more tired, both physically and mentally.

Essential oils: a natural remedy

Some essential oils actively stimulate circulation, providing us with immediate relief and tangible benefits over time.

These restore tone to capillaries and blood vessels, helping to drain excess fluids.

Let's take a closer look at some oils that are beneficial for heavy legs, which—thanks to the action of their active ingredients—promote the activity of the entire circulatory system.

Lemon: toning, stimulates lymphatic and venous circulation, strengthens blood vessels and thins the blood. Ideal for combating heavy legs, edema, cellulite, varicose veins and capillary fragility.

Rosemary: cardiotonic, it is indicated in cases of asthenia, low blood pressure, weakness and fatigue.

It stimulates peripheral circulation and has a lipolytic action: it is a great ally in the fight against water retention and localized adiposity. Anti-inflammatory, it dissolves uric acid and crystals that harden epidermal tissues, forming edema and swelling.

Orange: cardiac and circulatory tonic, diuretic. The essential oil helps to eliminate "orange peel skin" by stimulating skin metabolism, firming tissues and improving water retention. Ideal in case of swelling.

Cypress: astringent, tones venous circulation. It is particularly indicated for fragile capillaries and vessel dilation. Draining and purifying, it helps eliminate toxins and stagnant fluids.

Juniper: Juniper essential oil has great purifying and diuretic power. It is one of the most used draining plants, promoting the elimination of metabolic toxins: indicated in case of overweight, water retention, cellulite. It activates blood circulation, helping to eliminate edema. Astringent, it can be used in case of circulatory insufficiency of the limbs.

Geranium: anti-inflammatory, astringent and phlebotonic. It helps soothe congested areas, reactivating venous functions.

Eucalyptus: toning, has stimulating properties on the circulatory system. Draining, it moves excess water in the body. Diluted in almond oil and massaged on the lower limbs, it is a real panacea for tired feet, ankles and legs: it reactivates circulation and refreshes, especially recommended during the summer season.

Frankincense: powerful anti-inflammatory and astringent, it soothes the inflammatory state that causes edema. It is recommended in synergy with other essential oils that promote diuresis and circulation.

Massage for swollen legs

But how can these precious allies be used?

Certainly one of the best methods is a vigorous daily massage.

Essential oils are concentrated active ingredients, so they must be carefully diluted in vegetable oil. The recommended dilution for a massage oil is between 3% and 5%. Twenty drops of essential oil correspond to approximately 1 ml of raw material, so if we have 100 ml of vegetable oil, we know that 60 drops represent 3%.

The massage for swollen legs should always be performed from bottom to top, to encourage the natural course of circulation. Apply light pressure, surrounding the leg with both hands, until the oil is absorbed.

Consistent practice guarantees excellent results: ideally, at least once a day, after a shower to be finished with cold water on the lower limbs.

Swollen legs in summer remedies

Clay packs

Mud packs are an economical and extremely effective remedy against leg swelling and water retention. In a completely natural way, the packs help to reduce skin imperfections and improve microcirculation, promoting the elimination of toxins.

Clay naturally absorbs excess fluids, reducing edema.

Ingredients

6 teaspoons of ventilated green clay

1 teaspoon of vegetable oil (almond, olive, jojoba)

5 drops of Lemon essential oil

3 drops of Rosemary essential oil

Green Tea Infusion as needed (cooled)

Method

Add essential oils to the vegetable oil. In a bowl - preferably not metal: it could alter the properties of the clay - prepare a mixture of clay and green tea that has the consistency of a cream. Add the oils to the mixture.

Application

Massage the mixture with circular movements on legs and buttocks. Then, cover the treated areas with cling film and leave on for 30-40 minutes. Once the film is removed, rinse the area with preferably cold water. For more evident and lasting results, it is recommended to repeat the application for 5 or 6 consecutive days, with a five-day interval between cycles.

Foot bath

A cold foot bath can be a real relief at the end of the day.

The advice is to dilute a few drops of essential oil in a handful of coarse salt, to best activate circulation.

The recommended essential oils? Lemon, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Cypress, Juniper, Orange or Geranium!