Alternating hot and cold footbaths are excellent for both preventing the development of varicose veins and easing the pain and discomfort of existing ones. You'll need two plastic basins large enough to hold your feet. Fill one basin with water as hot as you can tolerate, and fill the other with cold water to which you have added a few ice cubes. Add five drops of cypress essential oil to the basin of hot water, sit in a comfortable chair, and slowly immerse your feet in the water. Leave your feet in the hot water for three minutes, and then immediately plunge your feet into the basin of cold water for one minute. Alternate back and forth between the hot and cold water three to five times, ending with the cold water. Finish by patting your feet dry and massaging your legs with the aromatherapy varicose-vein massage oil.