Vine red

The grapevine or vine, Vitis vinifera, originally comes from the Caucasus. It now also grows here in the Upper Rhine Plain, in the Danube river basin, in the Mediterranean region, in Asia Minor and Transcaucasia. The leaves are heart-shaped and the flowers are in clusters.

The red-colored autumn leaves of the grapevine, the vine leaves(Vitis viniferae folium rubrum), are used phytotherapeutically.

Vein-active components of the red vine leaf extract are the so-called flavonoids (among others quercetin-3-O-b-glucuronide, isoquercetin and fighter glucoside). These are contained in the red vine leaves in proportions of 4-5%. Tannins, tartaric and malic acids, minerals and sugars are also found. The flavonoids have anti-inflammatory, vascular sealing and edema-reducing effects. The horse chestnut also has similar properties.

In several clinical studies the efficacy of systemic application could be proven:

• Significant reduction of oedema (swelling of the legs)
• Improved microcirculation
• Improved oxygen supply
• Relief of pain and feeling of tension

The application of topical formulations with red vine leaves has to be distinguished from systemically effective dosage forms (e.g. tablets, capsules, granules). The effectiveness of topical venous therapeutics is highly controversial. In view of the high allergenic potential they should not be prescribed.

From placebo-controlled double-blind studies it is known that red vine leaves are mainly suitable for the symptomatic therapy of varicosis and chronic venous insufficiency. It reduces edema and alleviates subjective symptoms such as pain and a feeling of heaviness. However, the so-called venous remedies, which also include red vine leaves, should only ever be used as a supplementary measure. They do not represent a causal therapy. Causal therapy should be given priority whenever possible. The symptomatically oriented classical conservative measures such as compression therapy and vein remedies are to be used as second choice method.

Regular oral intake, usually over at least 3 months.

Gastrointestinal side effects mainly nausea, feeling of fullness. Rare itching. Very rare allergic reactions.

Antistax (mono-preparation), partly in combination with other vein-effective phthalates (e.g. horse chestnut, sweet clover, buckwheat herb)

1. Kiesewetter et al. (2000): Efficacy of orally administered extract of red vine leaf AS 195 (folia vitis viniferae) in chronic venous insufficiency
2. (stages I-II). A randomized, double - blind, placebo-controlled trial. Drug Research 2000; 50: 109-117
3. Kalus U et al (2004) Drugs R&D 5(2):63- 71.
4. Rabe E et al (2011) Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 41: 540-547.
5. Reich-Schupke S et al (2008) The importance of drug therapy for varicosis. Vascular Surgery 13; 363-366.
6. Schaefer E et al. Drug Res (2003) 53(4):243-24 6
7. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/weinrebe.php.
8. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-vitis-vinifera-l-folium-first-version_en.pdf
9. Wenigmann M.(2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs phytopharmaceuticals application. Urban & Fischer: 5.115 Tormentillae rhizoma p 212-213.