Artemis Vein Support Cream | 30ml

Artemis Vein Support Cream 

What is Vein Support Cream?

Vein Support Cream is a natural herbal remedial cream that provides relief from symptoms of congested veins such as varicose veins. Vein Support Cream promotes healthy circulation and healthy vein tone, to help prevent and relieve discomfort caused by itching, swelling and inflammation.

Why use  Vein Support Cream?

Congested veins, which are the cause of varicose veins, can result in great discomfort and pain if left untreated. Vein Support Cream contains natural herbal extracts mixed with moisturisers and skin softening agents that promote healthy circulation and vein tone. When applied to the affected area over the congested veins Vein Support Cream provides symptom relief by reducing itching, swelling and inflammation.

What are the Key Benefits of Vein Support Cream?

• Traditional medicinal plant formula 
• Contains herbal ingredients that promote healthy circulation and vein tone
• Natural herbal ingredients with antiimflamatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties 
• Contains moisturisers and skin softening agents to prevent water loss and protect the integrity of skin
• All ingredients are GE free 
• Does not contain artificial colours or fragrances, mineral oils, parabens, sulphates or synthetic fillers

What is the difference between an artery and a vein?

Arteries carry blood rich in oxygen away from the heart to the rest of the body, pumped at high pressure by the heart (with the exception from the pulmonary artery, which carries blood from the heart to the lungs to be re-oxygenated). To cope with this pressure, arteries have thickened walls which can expand due to their elastic smooth muscle layer and a narrow lumen, to keep the pressure up throughout the body. Veins carry blood back to the heart, having given up their oxygen to the body tissues. They have thinner walls and wider lumens and have one-way valves to keep blood flowing back toward the heart and prevent backflow of blood, particularly in the extremities like the legs, where blood moves under very low pressure.

What is a varicose vein?

Varicose veins are a condition associated with chronic venous insufficiency, which is due to poor blood flow in the large veins of the legs. If a valve in a vein becomes damaged or faulty then blood can flow backwards and pool below the valve causing bulging against the vein wall. This causes the vein to stretch and enlarge, which appears as blue lines if the vein is near the surface of the skin, also appearing distorted if the veins have twisted. If the varicose vein is deeper, it can cause symptoms like pain, heaviness, swelling and itching. The pathophysiology of chronic venous insufficiency includes poor venous tone (dilated widened veins), decreased microcirculation and increased capillary permeability, which allows fluid into the tissues, and results in oedema or swelling due to increased fluid build-up.

What is venotonic?

A venotonic agent has range of vascular effects (on blood vessels), including reducing leaking from capillaries into the surrounding tissues, which causes oedema or swelling due to fluid retention; and vasoconstriction, causing contraction or narrowing of blood vessels, which increases vein tone. The overall effect of a venotonic agent is to alleviate symptoms of vein disorders, such as venous insufficiency.

What is transepidermal water loss?

Transepidermal water loss is when water passes up through the skin and is lost by evaporation through the epidermis. It is an indication of damaged epidermal barrier function of the skin and can lead to dehydration of the skin and problems like dry scaly skin, dermatitis and eczema.

What is a moisturiser?

A moisturiser increases the water content of the skin by forming a fine layer over its surface to prevent water loss (occlusive) or by attracting water molecules and holding them at the skin’s surface (humectant). A moisturiser can also act as an emollient, which is used to soften the skin and can be a cream, lotion or oil.

What is an emulsifier and surfactant?

An emulsifier helps create an emulsion so that a lotion or cream does not separate into oil and water based ingredients that normally don’t mix. A surfactant helps creams spread more easily over the skin.

What are the Ingredients of Vein Support Cream?

Vein Support Cream contains herbs prepared in a natural base of water, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, vitamins and skin-friendly preservatives.

Cream making components

• Caprylic/capric triglyceride is a mixture of coconut oil containing fatty acids and glycerine, with emollient and skin-replenishing properties, that provide a barrier to reduce water loss from the skin and prevent dryness and acts as a carrier for pharmacologically active compounds like vitamins. It is not readily oxidised and used to stabilise emulsions.
• Cetostearyl alcohol is a mixture of cetyl and stearyl alcohols (fatty alcohols) used as an emulsifier and thickening agent in cosmetic creams and lotions. 
• glyceryl monostearate is a naturally occurring fatty acid used for its emollient, surfactant and emulsifying properties 
• PEG-20 stearate is a polyethylene glycol (PEG) ester (found in fats and oils) of stearic acid, which is used as a base for skin creams and acts as a humectant, emulsifier and surfactant. 

Vitamins

Tocopherol acetate is a form of vitamin E often used as an antioxidant in skin care products.provitamin B5 (panthenol) is converted to vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) when absorbed by the skin which has natural moisturising and skin regenerating properties.

Preservatives

Several preservatives are included in Vein Support Cream to prevent microbial contamination.

• Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic non-paraben preservative 
• Sorbic acid is a berry derived natural fatty acid preservative with antimicrobial properties 
• Citrus seed extract, usually derived from grapefruit seeds, is a natural preservative with antimicrobial properties

Key Ingredients:

Arnica (Arnica montana):

Arnica montana is a plant belonging to the Compositae family that grows in East and Central Europe and has been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine as a remedy for bruising, pain and inflammation in muscles and joints, caused by injury and trauma. In contemporary herbal medicine, Arnica is used to treat muscle aches, bruising, post-surgical pain and bruising and to reduce the swelling and pain of inflammation. Clinical studies with Arnica gel have indicated that topical application of Arnica is effective in reducing joint pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis1^{, 2.} The major pharmacologically active compound in extracts of Arnica is the sesquiterpene lactone helenalin, which is thought to exert its anti-inflammatory action mainly by inhibition of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-beta, which is involved in the activation of inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin-1 ^{3, 4.} 

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus):

Butcher's Broom is an evergreen shrub belonging to the Asparagaceae family (sub family Ruscaceae) that grows throughout Southern, Western and Mediterranean regions of Europe. Butcher's Broom was used as an herbal tonic in early civilisations and is now recognised in contemporary herbal medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties and as a circulatory tonic for a variety of vascular disorders, including varicose veins, to improve circulation and reduce fluid retention. It is also a mild diuretic, which is thought to help reduce swelling in inflammation. Clinical studies have shown that extract of the rhizome (root) of Butcher's Broom reduce symptoms of swelling and pain due to chronic venous insufficiency^{5, 6.} The major pharmacologically active compounds in extracts of Butcher's Broom root are steroidal saponins, which have vasoconstrictive properties causing contraction or narrowing of blood vessels, which increases vein tone; also venotonic properties, which alleviates symptoms of disorders of the veins, particularly venous insufficiency and correlates with reduced blood volume in veins^7.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis):

Calendula also known as Marigold is a flowering plant belonging to the Asteraceae or Compositae (Sunflower) family and is native to Southern Europe but grows in many temperate regions. Calendula has long been used in traditional herbal medicine to cleanse wounds, promote healing and treat inflammation since ancient times. Calendula extract contains many pharmacologically active compounds and is rich in carotenoids, which are strong antioxidants, and antimicrobials, and has been shown in animal studies to have hepatoprotective (supports healthy liver) effects against oxidative stress8. Calendula extract has been shown to promote healing in leg ulcers^{9, 10} and have anti-inflammatory activity, which is thought to be due to the triterpenoids flavonoids, and carotenoids content of the flowers^{11, 12.}

Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum):

Horse chestnut is a flowering tree belonging to the Sapindaceae family and produces the large brown fruits surrounded by a horny coat commonly known as conkers. Extracts from the seed of the horse chestnut have traditionally been used to treat chronic venous insufficiency, more commonly known as varicose veins to relieve symptoms including leg pain, lower leg swelling and itching. The main active component of Horse chestnut is the saponin aescin, which has demonstrated venotonic, anti-inflammatory and vascular protective properties^13. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that oral treatment with extract of Horse chestnut was effective in relieving symptoms of varicose veins by improving microcirculation, capillary flow, and vascular tone^{14, 15}; also for improving healing of leg ulcers^16.

Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana):

Witch hazel is a small deciduous tree belonging the Hamamelidaceae family, that grows throughout North America and was used by Native Americans for superficial skin wounds and inflammatory skin conditions. In contemporary herbal medicine Witch hazel is used to treat hemorrhoids, varicose veins, bruises, inflammation and inflamed disorders like eczema and dermatitis. Extract of Witch hazel contains many active compounds including a specific type of tannin known as hamamelitannin; also gallic acid, catechins, proanthocyanins, flavonoids, essential oils and saponins. Tannins are strong antioxidants with astringent properties and used as a natural remedy for treating various skin conditions including acne, psoriasis and eczema. Tannin rich fractions of Witch hazel extract have antiviral properties¹⁷ and topical preparations have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin of healthy volunteers^18. Extracts have also been used to successfully treat irritated scalp¹⁹. Proanthocyanidins in Witch hazel bark extract reduce transepidermal water loss and erythema formation (inflammatory skin reddening), which contributes to their effectiveness for treating skin disorders20.

What are the Contraindications/Interactions of Vein Support Cream?

There are no documented herb-drug interactions within the recommended dosage. You should always check the ingredients for known allergies and to ensure you do not have any allergies or sensitivities to these ingredients. Stop using if you develop any irritation or allergy while taking Vein Support Cream. Always read the label and use as directed or seek advice from your healthcare professional.Caution:Vein Support Cream should be used with caution if you: are pregnant or breast-feeding, without discussion with a health professional develop a reaction or irritation to any ingredients in Vein Support Cream.

What are the Directions for using Vein Support Cream?

Dosage:

Apply a thin layer of cream to the affected area three times daily. Special instructions Store in a cool place and out of direct sunlight. Over time, Vein Support Cream may discolour as it is a natural product, but this does not affect the efficacy or quality of the cream.

Product Size:

30ml

References

The following references provide scientific support for the use of this product:

1. Knuesel O, Weber M, Suter A. Arnica montana gel in osteoarthritis of the knee: an open, multicenter clinical trial. Adv Ther.2002 Sep-Oct;19(5):209-18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12539881 
2. Cameron M, Chrubasik S. Topical herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev.. 2013 May 31;(5):CD010538. 
3. Klaas CA, Wagner G, Laufer S, et al.Studies on the anti-inflammatory activity of phytopharmaceuticals prepared from Arnica flowers. Planta Med. 2002;68:385–391
4. Lyss G, Schmidt TJ, Merfort I, Pahl HL. Helenalin, an anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene lactone from Arnica, selectively inhibits transcription factor NF-kappaB. Biol Chem 1997 Sep;378(9):951-61.
5. Kakkos SK, Allaert FA. Efficacy of Ruscus extract, HMC and vitamin C, constituents of Cyclo 3 fort®, on improving individual venous symptoms and edema: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials. Int Angiol.2017 Apr;36(2):93-106. 
6. Vanscheidt W, Jost V, Wolna P, Lücker PW, Müller A et al. Efficacy and safety of a Butcher's broom preparation (Ruscus aculeatus L. extract) compared to placebo in patients suffering from chronic venous insufficiency. Arzneimittelforschung 2002;52(4):243-50.
7. Masullo M, Pizza C, Piacente S. Ruscus Genus: A Rich Source of Bioactive Steroidal Saponins. Planta Med.2016 Dec;82(18):1513-1524. 
8. Hamzawy MA, El-Denshary ES, Hassan NS, Mannaa FA, Abdel-Wahhab MA. Dietary Supplementation of Calendula officinalis Counteracts the Oxidative Stress and Liver Damage Resulted from Aflatoxin. ISRN Nutr 2013 Feb 12;2013:538427. 
9. Duran, V., Matic, M., Jovanovc, M., Mimica, N., Gajinov, Z., Poljacki, M., and Boza, P. Results of the clinical examination of an ointment with marigold (Calendula officinalis) extract in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. Int.J.Tissue React. 2005;27(3):101-106)
10. Buzzi M, de Freitas F, de Barros Winter M. Therapeutic effectiveness of a Calendula officinalis extract in venous leg ulcer healing. J Wound Care 2016 Dec 2;25(12):732-739.
11. Della Loggia R, Tubaro A, Sosa S, Becker H, Saar S, Isaac O. The role of triterpenoids in the topical anti-inflammatory activity of Calendula officinalis flowers. Planta Med 1994 Dec;60(6):516-20.
12. Colombo E, Sangiovanni E, D’Ambrosio M, Bosisio E, Ciocarlan A et al. A Bio-Guided Fractionation to Assess the Inhibitory Activity of Calendula officinalis L. on the NF-𝜅B Driven Transcription in Human Gastric Epithelial Cells Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2015; 2015: 727342.
13. Guillaume M, Padioleau F. Veinotonic effect, vascular protection, antiinflammatory and free radical scavenging properties of horse chestnut extract. Arzneimittel-Forschung 1994;44(1):25–35.
14. Pittler MH, Ernst E. Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency. Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2012 Nov 14;11:CD003230. 
15. Suter A, Bommer S, Rechner J. Treatment of patients with venous insufficiency with fresh plant horse chestnut seed extract: a review of 5 clinical studies. Adv Ther.2006 Jan-Feb;23(1):179-90.
16. Leach MJ, Pincombe J, Foster G. Using horsechestnut seed extract in the treatment of venous leg ulcers: a cost-benefit analysis. Ostomy Wound Manage.2006 Apr;52(4):68-70, 72-4, 76-8.
17. Theisen LL, Clemens A. J. Erdelmeier CAJ, Spoden GA, Boukhallouk F, Sausy A, Florin L, Muller CP. Tannins from Hamamelis virginiana Bark Extract: Characterization and Improvement of the Antiviral Efficacy against Influenza A Virus and Human Papillomavirus. PLoS One 2014; 9(1): e88062.
18. Hughes-Formella BJ, Filbry A, Gassmueller J, Rippke F. Anti-inflammatory efficacy of topical preparations with 10% hamamelis distillate in a UV erythema test. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol.2002 Mar-Apr;15(2):125-32.
19. Trüeb RM. North American Virginian Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): Based Scalp Care and Protection for Sensitive Scalp, Red Scalp, and Scalp Burn-Out. Int J Trichology.2014 Jul;6(3):100-3. 
20. Deters A, Dauer A, Schnetz E, Fartasch M, Hensel A. High molecular compounds (polysaccharides and proanthocyanidins) from Hamamelis virginiana bark: influence on human skin keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation and influence on irritated skin. Phytochemistry. 2001 Nov;58(6):949-58.