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Moderate evidenceHeart & metabolic

Grape Leaf Extract

Red vine leaf extract, standardised as AS 195, taken for heavy, aching, swollen legs. Placebo-controlled trials show reductions in leg volume and symptoms, but the literature comes almost entirely from one manufacturer's product.

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What the science says

  • Leg swelling and heaviness Moderate evidence

    A systematic review concluded that red vine leaf extract AS 195 improves some signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, including lower leg volume and reduced sensation of heaviness. The reviewed trials were few and used the same proprietary extract.

  • Microcirculation and clinical use Limited evidence

    A clinical review of red-vine-leaf-extract AS 195 describes improvements in cutaneous microcirculation alongside symptom scores. Independent replication outside the manufacturer's trial programme is limited.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTrials used 360–720 mg per day of standardised red vine leaf extract (AS 195), taken once daily for 6–12 weeks.
SafetyWell tolerated; digestive upset, headache and itching are the usual complaints. Not established in pregnancy or breastfeeding. It relieves symptoms without treating the underlying venous disease, so compression stockings and medical assessment remain the priority, particularly with skin changes or ulceration.

How to take it

TimingOnce daily; timing does not matter.
With food?With or without food, though taking it with a meal reduces the occasional stomach upset.
Worth knowingBenefit builds over about six weeks, and it eases symptoms without slowing the underlying venous disease, so compression stockings still do the structural work.

Frequently asked questions

Does red vine leaf extract work for swollen legs?

Red vine leaf extract (grape leaf extract AS 195) has moderate evidence: placebo-controlled trials showed lower leg volume and less heaviness in chronic venous insufficiency. The trials were few and almost all used the same manufacturer's product.

How much grape leaf extract should I take?

Trials used 360–720 mg per day of standardised red vine leaf extract (AS 195), once daily for 6–12 weeks. Timing does not matter, though taking it with a meal reduces occasional stomach upset.

How long does red vine leaf extract take to work?

The benefit of red vine leaf extract builds over about six weeks. It eases leg symptoms without slowing the underlying venous disease, so compression stockings still matter.

Does grape leaf extract have side effects?

Grape leaf extract is well tolerated; digestive upset, headache and itching are the usual complaints, and it is not established in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Skin changes or ulceration on the legs need medical assessment rather than a supplement.

Scientific references

Related in Heart & metabolic

Herbal medicines: what the evidence says (335)