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Horse chestnut

What is the horse chestnut?

The horse chestnut is a plant whose seeds, bark, flowers and leaves are used to make medicine. The horse chestnut contains significant amounts of a poison called aesculin and can be fatal if eaten raw. The horse chestnut of the genus Aesculus Hippocastanum described in this article should not be confused with Aesculus Glabra, known as the Ohio horse chestnut, or Aesculus Pavia, known as the red-flowered horse chestnut, and the seeds and leaves of the horse chestnut are used to treat varicose veins, hemorrhoids and phlebitis. Horse chestnut seeds are used to treat diarrhea, fever and prostate enlargement. The active ingredients can be extracted from the seeds of the horse chestnut using an extraction process and obtained in concentrated form. The resulting extract is used to treat circulatory disorders. Horse chestnut leaves are used to treat eczema, menstrual pain, swollen tissue from broken bones and sprains, coughs, arthritis and joint pain. The bark of the horse chestnut is used to treat malaria and dysentery. Some people apply horse chestnut bark to the skin for skin lichen and ulcers.

How effective is horse chestnut?

Horsechestnut is likely to be effective when it comes to treating varicose veins and circulatory disorders. Taking horse chestnut seeds can reduce symptoms of poor circulation such as varicose veins, pain, fatigue, swollen legs, itching and water retention.

There is not enough scientific data on the effectiveness of horse chestnut for hemorrhoids, diarrhea, fever, cough, prostate enlargement, eczema, menstrual pain, swelling of tissues in bone fractures and sprains, arthritis, joint pain and other conditions to make a conclusive statement. Further scientific research is required.

How does horse chestnut work?

Horse chestnut contains a substance that thins the blood. It also makes it more difficult for fluids to escape from veins and capillaries and also promotes mild water excretion via the urine to prevent water retention.

Are there any safety concerns?

Horse chestnut is safe and harmless for most people when a standardized extract of horse chestnut seeds is used over a short period of time. Standardized extracts are characterized by the fact that they contain a certain amount of active ingredients. Only horse chestnut products from which the toxic substance aesculin has been removed should be used. Side effects of horse chestnut can include dizziness, headaches, stomach problems and itching. Horse chestnut pollen can cause allergic reactions. Rectal use of horse chestnut in the form of ointments or suppositories can cause inflammation and itching in the anal area. Raw horse chestnut seeds, bark, flowers and leaves are not safe or harmless and can be fatal if taken orally. Signs of poisoning include stomach problems, kidney problems, muscle twitching, weakness, loss of coordination, enlarged pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, paralysis and drowsiness. Accidental ingestion of raw horse chestnut requires immediate medical treatment. Children have been poisoned by tea made from horse chestnut leaves and twigs and by eating horse chestnut seeds.

Precautions & warnings:

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the safety of horse chestnut products during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid horse chestnut products to be on the safe side.

Diabetes: Horse chestnut can reduce blood sugar levels. Diabetics should therefore watch out for symptoms of low blood sugar levels and monitor their blood sugar levels carefully.

Digestive problems: Horse chestnut seeds and bark can irritate the digestive tract. For this reason, you should avoid these products if you suffer from digestive disorders.

Liver disorders: There is a report of liver damage associated with horse chestnut. For this reason, horse chestnut products should be avoided to be on the safe side if you suffer from liver disease.

Latex allergy: People who are allergic to latex may also be allergic to horse chestnut.

Kidney disease: There are concerns that horse chestnut may aggravate kidney disease. For this reason, horse chestnut products should be avoided if you suffer from kidney disease.

Interactions with medication

Care should be taken when combining horse chestnut with the following medications:

Lithium

Horse chestnut can have a dehydrating (diuretic) effect. Taking horse chestnut can interfere with the body's excretion of lithium, which could result in increased lithium levels and serious side effects. For this reason, it is important to consult your doctor before using horse chestnut products if you are taking lithium. The lithium dosage may need to be adjusted.

Diabetes medication

Horsechestnut can lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking horse chestnut products in combination with diabetes medication could result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Medication that slows down blood clotting

Horse chestnut can slow down blood clotting. Taking horse chestnut products in conjunction with medications that also slow down blood clotting could increase the risk of bleeding and the tendency to bruise.

Are there any interactions with medicinal herbs or supplements?

Horse chestnut products can lower blood glucose levels and taking them in combination with medicinal herbs or supplements that can also lower blood glucose levels could cause blood glucose levels to drop too low in some people. Some medicinal herbs and supplements that may lower blood sugar levels include alpha lipoic acid, chromium, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng and others.

Medicinal herbs or supplements that can slow down blood clotting

Horse chestnut products can slow down blood clotting. Using horse chestnut products in conjunction with herbs or supplements that may slow blood clotting may increase the risk of bleeding and the tendency to bruise in some people. Some of these herbs include angelica, cloves, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, panax ginseng, red clover and others.

Are there any interactions with food?

There are no known interactions with food.

Dosage

The following dosages have been scientifically investigated:

  • For circulatory disorders and poor circulation: 300 mg horse chestnut seed extract containing 50 mg of the active ingredient aescin, taken orally twice daily.

References

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