The Red Vine for a better Blood Circulation

If you have problems of venous insufficiency or hemorrhoids, you will undoubtedly be interested in this medicinal plant that is the red vine.

It is a perennial plant of the Vitacea family and is used to make table wine. It is a climbing shrub that makes branches that are attached with small tendrils. Its leaves have the shape of palmatilobate, that is to say that they look a little like a hand with 5 to 7 lobes and its fruits are arranged in clusters..⁵

The red vine: its history

The red vine is cultivated in almost all regions of the world, but it is native to Western Asia where its cultivation would have begun. Knowledge of its medicinal properties dates back to the ancient Romans, who made extensive use of it in a wide range of therapeutic applications for various conditions. In the past, the leaves of all types of vines were used for their astringent properties. It is the tannins they contain that make it interesting.¹

But why red vine?

The red vine is a very particular cultivar (variety of plant species), it is the Vitis Vinifera var tinctoria. It is therefore the dye variety that makes its difference. This vine produces black grapes. In autumn, the leaves of the red vine change partially or totally to red.

It is its tannins that act on blood circulation (vasotonic action). These tannins tone and strengthen the blood circulation, especially when the veins lose their elasticity and integrity. It is what one calls venous insufficiency.

We speak about venous insufficiency when the return of blood does not take place correctly from the legs to the heart.^{5, 6}

So basically, the vine leaves (all varieties) contain different tannins. The advantage of red grape leaves is the red pigment that gives several powerful polyphenolic compounds such as resveratrol, OPC (oligo proanthocyanidins) and flavonoids such as quercetin. These polyphenolic compounds are characterized by their antioxidant properties, favorable to health and particularly against cellular aging.⁵

These anthocyanins (antioxidants) have properties that captivate our attention, especially their action on blood circulation. They even reinforce the action of tannins on venous return. Today, the red vine is monographed in the French pharmacopoeia for specific medicinal purposes. It is mainly indicated to help relieve symptoms associated with minor chronic venous insufficiency: swollen legs, varicose veins, feeling of heaviness, pain, fatigue, itching, tension in the legs and cramps in the calves.^{1, 3}

First, these protective substances will reduce the permeability of the capillaries. When there is a bad venous return, the blood capillaries become permeable, that is to say that they let out fluids which will accumulate in the lower limbs.

The red vine will allow to repermeabilize the veins to prevent this symptom, which is called 'anti-oedematous action'.

The interesting properties of red vine

In addition, red vine has the ability to protect the collagen of the venous tissue by inhibiting the action of certain enzymes (collagenase, elastase) that degrade the tissues, caused by inflammation.

Red vine is a medicinal plant that helps problems such as venous insufficiency without forgetting symptoms such as hemorrhoids by its venotonic action. No matter where the imbalance is, this plant has a role in blood circulation.

It is also known to have haemostatic properties, which means that it can slow down bleeding. It could therefore be very useful during heavy periods or bleeding between periods or during peri-menopause when the cycle is disturbed.

Its astringent qualities also give it the power to stop spontaneous or chronic diarrhea.^{1, 2, 5, 6}

The red vine: good recommendations to know

Lifestyle habits that have an impact on our blood circulation such as wearing high heels, eating too much salt, not enough fiber (whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, oil seeds (flaxseeds), etc.) in the diet, being overweight, constipation, prolonged standing positions, a sedentary lifestyle are all situations that do not help the problem

Walking or physical exercise practiced daily, resting your legs up, when you are sitting, not crossing your legs, at night use a cushion to raise your legs, etc.

Another solution is to massage your legs and the back of your knees with a vegetable oil and essential oil (Juniper) in an upward movement. Use organic oils.

At the end of a shower, direct the cold water jet towards your legs. All of these measures could help you regain good blood circulation.^{4, 8}

Red Vine: Léo Désilets' concentrated formula

The Quebec company Léo Désilets located in the Eastern Townships offers a unique product of the medicinal plant. One of the particularly interesting attributes of Léo Désilets brand red vine extract is that this formula is ultra concentrated. That is, the formula is 50% more concentrated than regular red vine extract. You will have to take fewer vegetal capsules to obtain therapeutic results. This of course translates into an observation on the part of the patient.¹

Combinations of plants for a good blood circulation

Red vine extract can be combined with other plants that promote good blood circulation. Plants that support the heart and circulatory system: garlic, hawthorn berries, black cohosh, spiny fragon, cayenne, ginkgo biloba, horse chestnut, goldenseal, and licorice root.¹