Dried Red Grape Leaves Treatment For Vericose Veins

Dried Red Grape Leaves. Vitis viniferae Folium (Fam. Vitaceae)

The leaves are documented in the literature of traditional medicine, where their astringent and homeostatic properties are utilised in the treatment of diarrhoea, bleedings, haemorrhoids or varicose veins.

Plant Description: Vitis vinifera is a perennial, defoliating climber with a wooden often twisted stem, which develops branches forking to twigs from where the long-stemmed, alternating arranged leaves protrude, the vine leaf is heart-shaped and thin.

Traditional Uses. The leaves are documented in the literature of traditional medicine, where their astringent and homeostatic properties are utilised in the treatment of diarrhoea, bleedings, haemorrhoids or varicose veins.

Properties: Anti inflammatory, antioxidant.

Uses: Bone and joint conditions, bruises, chronic venous insufficiency, circulatory disorders, diarrhoea, oedema, fever and headaches (poultice externally), haemorrhoids, hepatitis, lymphatic disorders, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatism, stomach aches, thrush, varicose veins, vascular disorders, venous insufficiency and water retention.

Contra-Indications: Pregnant and lactating woman. As flavenoids tend to reduce blood platelet stickiness, individuals taking blood thinners should use with caution.

Introduction: Vitis vinifera presumably originates from Western Asia and the oldest documentation for the use of grape vine products in human culture is dated to 3500 – 2900 BC. In Europe, the leaves of Vitis vinifera are documented in the literature of traditional medicine for their astringent and homeostatic properties where they are utilised in the treatment of diarrhoea, bleeding, haemorrhoids, varicose veins and other circulatory diseases. It has been suggested that the flavenoid content may be effective in decreasing the risk of arteriosclerosis and ultimately coronary heart disease mortality. Quercetin, found abundantly within the leaves, is known to possess anti-cancer, anti-tumour, and other important therapeutic activities of significant potency and low systemic toxicity.

Distribution: Vitis vinifera has now reached all continents but is successfully cultivated only in temperature climate regions with warm and dry summers and relatively mild winters with sufficient rain.

Extraction: Water soluble extraction under vacuum.

Main Chemical components: Anthocyanes, flavenoids, polyphenols and trans_resveratol.