herbs - Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

What is it?

Horse chestnut originates from eastern Europe and Asia, but now grows in most temperate climatic zones, and is found widespread throughout Europe and Britain. It is a large deciduous tree and boasts ‘candles’ of beautiful pink and white flowers, and spike-covered pods, which contain the seed or ‘conker’. This seed is used in modern herbal medicine, where as in traditional herbal medicine, the leaves, seeds and bark were used.

Action

Horse chestnut contains aescin, which is the primary active found in the plant. Aescin is anti-inflammatory and has the ability reduce the swelling of blood vessels and tone the walls of veins whilst also improving overall circulation of the blood throughout the body. Horse chestnut is also a vasodilator, astringent and an Antioxidant.

Uses

Our experts recommend Horse chestnut  for the following disorders:

Other information

Used by physicians since the Roman times for wound healing and vein problems, it is now used by herbalists to treat chronic venous insufficiency, peripheral circulatory disease, heavy legs, swollen ankles and water retention. Topical preparations are also applied locally to reduce swelling after injury. Horse chestnut is available as standardised extracts (15-20% aescin) in tablets or capsules, tinctures or as a gel or cream.

Cautions

• Horse chestnut is a safe herb at normal doses but should be avoided both externally and internally if you have liver or kidney disease.



• According to the German E monograph, Horse chestnut appears to be safe in pregnancy, but do consult your doctor first.



• Consult your doctor if you want to take Horse chestnut alongside the blood thinning medications heparin and warfarin or the platelet inhibiting drug ticlopidine. 



• Rarely, topical applications of Horse chestnut may cause local allergic reactions.



• When this article was written there were no other well-known negative drug interactions with horse chestnut.

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