Rutin
Rutin is a plant pigment or bioflavonoid that is found naturally in common foods such as apple peels, black tea, asparagus, buckwheat, onions, green tea, figs, and most citrus fruits. In addition to getting it from food, you can also find rutin in supplement form. Rutin contains quercetin (an antioxidant that has been shown to reduce inflammation and offer a number of health benefits).
Proponents claim that rutin can help strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Rutin supplements are sometimes touted as a remedy for conditions that affect the vessels, such as hemorrhoids and varicose veins.
In addition, some animal research suggests that rutin may prevent the formation of blood clots, which could help prevent heart disease and stroke.
A rutin derivative may be of some benefit to people with chronic venous insufficiency, according to a review published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics in 2015. Chronic venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins do not efficiently return blood from the legs to the heart. The condition is linked to health problems such as varicose veins, swollen ankles and nighttime leg cramps.
For the review, the researchers analyzed 15 previously published studies on the effectiveness of hydroxyethylrutosides (a partially synthetic derivative of rutin). They concluded that hydroxyethylrutosides were more effective in reducing symptoms of pain, cramping, and heaviness in the legs than a placebo.
Rutoside (a compound found in rutin) may help treat varicose veins in pregnant women, according to a 2015 report published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. In their review of a previously published clinical study, scientists determined that rutoside appears to help relieve varicose vein symptoms in late pregnancy. However, the review authors note that there is insufficient data to assess the safety of rutoside use during pregnancy.
