Ayurveda and Indigenous Preventive Techniques for Varicose Veins: A Holistic Approach towards Achieving SDG 3

Varicose veins, a prevalent condition linked to chronic venous insufficiency, affectapproximately 23% of adults worldwide, disproportionately impacting individuals inoccupations requiring prolonged standing and post-pregnancy women. Conventionaltreatments such as sclerotherapy, laser ablation, and surgical interventions are oftencost-prohibitive or inaccessible, particularly in rural and under-resourced regions. Thisstudy investigates the efficacy of Ayurvedic therapies and indigenous preventivepractices as alternative approaches for managing varicose veins.A mixed-methods research design was adopted, comprising a systematic literaturereview, qualitative interviews with Ayurvedic practitioners and patients from ruralIndian communities, and a small-scale observational pilot study involving 30 participants.The Ayurvedic protocol included Abhyanga (therapeutic massage), herbal applications,Basti (medicated enemas), and yoga. Traditional practices such as mustard oil massage,leg elevation using charpoys, neem and aloe applications, and barefoot walking werealso evaluated for symptomatic relief.Findings suggest that integrative approaches combining Ayurvedic and indigenouspractices yielded significant improvement in pain reduction, decreased swelling, andenhanced overall comfort in 70% of participants over a 12-week period. Participantsalso reported increased awareness of venous health and greater adherence due tocultural familiarity and low cost. The study advocates for the integration of suchtraditional practices into community-level healthcare frameworks, aligning withSustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) to promote accessible and preventive care.