Is olive oil effective against varicose veins?

Olive oil: a natural solution for varicose veins?

Varicose veins are subcutaneous marks that form when veins swell. They are considered cosmetically undesirable and can be painful. Although compression stockings remain the standard treatment, many seek additional methods to manage varicose veins. Could olive oil help? Learn more in this article.

Published on June 13, 2025, by Marie, Scientific Editor — 5 min of reading

Is olive oil beneficial for combating varicose veins?

Varicose veins are a chronic venous disorder in which veins remain dilated and elevated beneath the skin. They occur in the lower limbs. The vein deformation in varicose veins stems from vein wall weakness, hereditary in origin. It also involves valve dysfunction and impaired venous return. Vein valves are unidirectional and direct blood towards the heart. In varicose veins, valve dysfunction hinders return of blood to the heart.

Aside from heredity, several factors promote venous disorders and the development of varicose veins, including ageing and sedentary behaviour. If varicose veins remain untreated, they may lead to various complications over time, such as phlebitis or venous ulcers. Varicose veins are also more common in women due to hormonal, physiological, and behavioural factors. The progesterone produced by the ovaries has a vasodilatory effect and can reduce venous return, while pregnancy poses a significant risk for varicose vein development. Finally, wearing high heels, more prevalent among women, impairs the efficiency of the calf muscle pump.

Varicose veins can lead to significant discomfort during daily activities.

To address varicose veins, several options exist: wearing compression stockings, administering veinotonic agents, or removing varices by radiofrequency or laser, alongside emerging natural methods such as the use of olive oil. Known in cooking, this vegetable oil is used in skincare and contains bioactive compounds called veinotonics, such as flavonoids and vitamin E. These molecules could play a part in improving blood circulation and influence the progression of varicose veins.

Flavonoids are polyphenols that act on endothelial cells lining blood vessels. They regulate the production of nitric oxide, a vasodilator. By stimulating NO release while reducing oxidative stress, flavonoids improve capillary resistance, reduce inflammation, and decrease vascular permeability, limiting vein dilation. Concerning the vitamin E, it stabilises cell membranes and protects membrane lipids from lipid peroxidation. This helps preserve the integrity of the venous wall, an effect relevant to preventing varicose veins.

However, to date, there is no scientific evidence of the effects of olive oil on varicose veins, whether ingested or applied topically.

Despite the lack of studies, the use of olive oil as a massage oil may be of interest and could help stimulate blood flow, improve circulation, and reduce discomfort in the lower limbs thanks to its bioactive compounds. Massages are cited as a preventive measure against varicose veins. By applying a gentle upward pressure, massage promotes blood movement through mechanical action and reduces venous stasis, the pooling of blood in veins, a key factor in varicose vein formation. With repeated sessions, massage provides complementary support to prevent venous insufficiency. Adding olive oil may enhance these effects, though it does not treat varicose veins.