Phlebitis/DVT

Related Terms

Phlebitis is inflammation of a vein, often in the leg. It is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when it happens in a deep vein. This can cause a clot to dislodge and enter the lungs. This is serious.

It is managed with medicine and home care to promote blood flow. Some people may need surgery. Natural treatments have been used to ease swollen veins. They should not be used in place of standard care.

Natural Therapies

May Be Effective

These therapies may be effective:

Electrical stimulation uses a device to send electrical pulses through the skin. It may improve blood flow.^{B1, B2}
Sesame oil can be massaged into the skin. It may help ease swollen veins.^A2

Not Enough Data to Assess

Aloe vera ^A1
B Vitamins ^A4
Chamomile ^A3

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.

References►

Herbs and Supplements

A1. Zheng GH, Yang L, et al. Aloe vera for prevention and treatment of infusion phlebitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(6):CD009162.

A2. Bigdeli Shamloo MB, Nasiri M, et al. Effects of topical sesame (Sesamum indicum) oil on the pain severity of chemotherapy-induced phlebitis in patients with colorectal cancer: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2019;35:78-85.

A3. Sharifi-Ardani M, Yekefallah L, et al. Efficacy of topical chamomile on the incidence of phlebitis due to an amiodarone infusion in coronary care patients: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2017 Sep;15(5):373-378.

A4. Zhou K, Zhao R, et al. Association between B-group vitamins and venous thrombosis: systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2012 Nov;34(4):459-467.

Electrical Stimulation

B1. Hou L, Chen C, et al. Electrical stimulation of acupoint combinations against deep venous thrombosis in elderly bedridden patients after major surgery. J Tradit Chin Med. 2013 Apr;33(2):187-193.

B2. Hou LL, Yao LW, et al. Preventive effect of electrical acupoint stimulation on lower-limb thrombosis: a prospective study of elderly patients after malignant gastrointestinal tumor surgery. Cancer Nurs. 2013 Mar-Apr;36(2):139-144.

Last reviewed November 2019 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC Last Updated: 6/12/2020

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