Red vine leaf extract improves chronic venous insufficiency [Research]

Red vine leaf and vein health

  • Red vine leaf extract for varicose veins and CVI / chronic venous insufficiency

  • Systematic study review results on red vine leaf and chronic venous insufficiency

  • Natural remedies for heavy, tired legs, water retention and cellulite

  • Red vine leaf extract in cellulite creams?

  • Red Vine Leaf Extract (AS 195) Can Improve Some Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency, a Systematic Review

  • Check our professional consultancy in cellulite, skin tightening, ultrasound and radiofrequency

Red vine leaf extract for varicose veins and CVI / chronic venous insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is common in women, especially in older and/or overweight women.

Common symptoms include fat accumulation, oedema (water retention), heavy legs, muscle cramps, pain, varicose veins and cellulite.

Several natural supplements are used for CVI which can help relieve symptoms of the condition, including centella asiatica/gotu kola extract, hesperidin, diosmin, butcher’s broom extract, escin/horse chestnut extract and red vine leaf extract among others.

There are dozens of studies on the effects of red vine leaf extract, a natural traditional medicine used to treat symptoms of CVI in Continental Europe for several decades

These studies are of varying standards, so this new systematic review aimed to pick the most rigorous of those studies and present the most important clinical outcomes from them, such as:

  • leg/arm volume

  • lower leg circumference (girth)

  • ankle circumference/girth

  • sensation of tired and heavy legs

  • a sensation of tension

  • tingling sensation

  • pain

The main active ingredients in red vine leaf extract are quercetin and kaempferol, both natural chemicals from the flavonoid group of chemicals.

Systematic study review results on red vine leaf and chronic venous insufficiency

Out of the 56 studies assessed in the trial, 5 clinical trials were selected according to the strictest inclusion criteria.

According to those studies, oral intake of red vine leaf extract significantly improved all the above clinical outcomes, namely lower leg volume, calf and ankle circumference, tired/heavy legs, tingling sensation, pain, tension sensation in the legs.

In addition, red vine leaf extract improved skin microcirculation and transcutaneous oxygen pressure - ideal for cellulite prevention and reduction.

In terms of safety and tolerance, red vine leaf extract proved good or satisfactory, which was expected from a flavonoid-rich natural product.

Natural remedies for heavy, tired legs, water retention and cellulite

Red vine leaf extract, as well as the other natural extracts mentioned above (such as gotu kola extract, horse chestnut extract etc), are quite unknown in the vast majority of the population in the UK and US.

In contrast, in France, Germany and Italy these natural extracts have been widely researched and used for decades, either as nutritional supplements or even actual medicines and are very popular with women suffering from CVI, water retention and cellulite.

These products are not miracle treatments that will cure a condition that develops over several decades. However, they can provide natural symptom relief and improve quality of life in many women, quite often without annoying compression stockings, constant lymphatic massages and pressotherapy sessions.

So if you suffer from CVI, water retention and cellulite, it would be a good idea to consult with your healthcare practitioner regarding the addition of red vine leaf extract to your CVI treatment regime (as well as centella asiatica/gotu kola extract, hesperidin, diosmin, butcher’s broom extract and escin/horse chestnut extract, among others).

Red vine leaf extract in cellulite creams?

The available red vine leaf extracts available today for use in cosmetics are very diluted - not nearly concentrated enough in active molecules for use in cellulite creams.

On the other hand, skincare creams are available that contain good concentrations purified molecules of equivalent action, such as escin, esculoside, asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside, hesperidin etc, and these are preferred.

Red Vine Leaf Extract (AS195) Can Improve Some Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency, a Systematic Review

  • Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.6705

  • Research paper abstract: “Aim: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is common in adults. Some complications include skin changes, edema, heavy legs, muscle cramps, pain, and varicose veins. In traditional medicine, red vine leaf extract (AS 195) has been used to cure the symptoms of CVI. This systematic review was aimed to assess the effects of AS 195 in patients with CVI. Material and methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify trials that reported the impact of red vine leaf extract on CVI. The primary outcomes investigated were Leg (limb) volume, calf circumference, ankle circumference, tired and heavy legs, a sensation of tension, tingling sensation, and pain. Results: From the 56 studies, 5 trials were selected according to our inclusion criteria. Red vine leaf extract significantly improved numbers of outcomes (lower leg volume, calf and ankle circumference, tired, heavy legs, tingling sensation, pain, the sensation of tension in the legs, cutaneous microcirculation, and transcutaneous oxygen pressure) in only some trials. The tolerability for red vine leaf extract was reported good or satisfactory. Conclusions: Red vine leaf extract had a beneficial therapeutic role in patients with CVI. Further high‐quality trials are required to be carried out to provide strong evidence.“