| Description: Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is used for its seed and bark as an herbal remedy. It has long been used as a general tonic, and can be taken internally or applied topically. The active ingredients in horse chestnut appear to be escin, one of a group of chemicals called saponins,. Escin appears to have the capacity to reduce swelling and inflammation, probably by slowing down the rate at which fluid leaks from irritated capillaries.1 It increases blood circulation, which can help ease sudden muscle cramping, especially during sleep. Horse chestnut may also improve the elastic strength of veins, preventing the release of enzymes that break down collagen and create holes in capillary walls, causing vein damage.2,3
Useful in treatment of:
Varicose veins: Several studies have shown benefit for horse chestnut compared to placebo in producing significant improvement in leg edema, pain, and sensation of heaviness.4-11. Another study showed benefit when compared to compression stockings, a well proven treatment.12
Hemorrhoids: Since hemorrhoids are actually a form of varicose veins, horse chestnut is often recommended for them as well
Recommended Dosage: Typically, the dosage of horse chestnut is 300 mg twice daily, standardized to contain 50 mg escin per dose, for a total daily dose of 100 mg escin. Can be applied as a cream several times daily.
Contraindications: Horse chestnut should not be taken with any medications that thin the blood (coumadin, trental, aspirin, heparin) without the supervision of a doctor.
References:
1Newall C, et al. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996:166.
2Kreysel HW, et al. A possible role of lysosomal enzymes in the pathogenesis of varicosis and the reduction in their serum activity by Venostatin. Vasa 12: 377–382, 1983.
3Bougelet C. Effect of aescine on hypoxia induced neutrophil adherence to umbilical vein endothelium. Eur J Pharmacol 345(1): 89–95, 1998.
4Friederich HC, Vogelsberg H, Neiss A. A contribution to the evaluation of vein medications that work internally (translated from German). Z Hautkr. 1978; 53(11):369–374.
5Neiss A, Bohm C. Proof of the efficacy of horse chestnut seed extract in the treatment of varicose syndrome (translated from German). Munch Med Wschr. 1976; 118(7):213–216.
6Bisler H, Pfeifer R, Kluken N, et al. Effect of horse chestnut seed extract on transcapillary filtration in chronic venous insufficiency (translated from German). Dtsch Med Wschr. 1986; 111:1321–1329.
7Lohr E, Garanin G, Jesau P, et al. Anti-edemic therapy in chronic venous insufficiency with tendency to formation of edema (translated from German). Munch Med Wschr. 1986; 128(34):579–581.
8Rudofsky G, Neiss A, Otto K, et al. Antiedematous effects and clinical effectiveness of horse chestnut seed extract in double blind studies (translated from German). Phlebologie und Proktologie. 1986; 15:47–54.
9Steiner M, Hillemanns HG. Investigation of the anti-edemic efficacy of Venostatin (translated from German). 1986; Munch Med Wschr. 551–552.
10Neiss A, Bohm C. Proof of the efficacy of horse chestnut seed extract in the treatment of varicose syndrome (translated from German). Munch Med Wschr. 1976; 118(7):213–216.
11Lohr E, Garanin G, Jesau P, et al. Anti-edemic therapy in chronic venous insufficiency with tendency to formation of edema (translated from German). Munch Med Wschr. 1986; 128(34):579–581.
12Diehm C, Trampisch HJ, Lange S, et al. Comparison of leg compression stocking and oral horse-chestnut seed extract therapy in patients with chronic venous insufficiency. Lancet. 1996; 347(8997):292–294. |
