Horse Chestnut Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Aescin, Buckeye, Châtaignier de Mer, Chestnut, Castaño de Indias, and Châtaignier des Chevaux, Escine, Faux-Châtaignier, Hippocastani Flos, Hippocastani Folium, Hippocastanum Vulgare Gaertn, Hippocastani Cortex and Hippocastani Semen, Marronnier, Marron Europeen, Marronnier Commun, Marronnier Blanc, Marronnier des Chevaux, Marronnier d'Inde, Pu, Spanish Chestnut, Venostat, Venastat, Venostasin Retard, White Chestnut
Scientific Name
Aesculus Hippocastanum
Why Do People Use Horse Chestnut?
The oral preparations of Aesculus hippocastanum (Horse chestnut), like horse chestnut powder, can be used for the treatment of varicose veins, phlebitis and hemorrhoids. Seeds of horse chestnut are particularly useful for enlarged prostate, fever and diarrhea. Standardized horse chestnut extract is used orally to treat chronic venous insufficiency. Specially made product from the seeds of horse chestnut is also used orally for the treatment of hemorrhoids, varicose veins, diarrhea, phlebitis, enlarged prostate and fever. Whereas its branch bark is utilized to treat dysentery and malaria. On the other hand, leaves of horse chestnut are used for menstrual spastic pain, eczema, concussion, soft tissue swelling from sprains and bone fracture, arthritis, cough and rheumatism as well.
Topically - Branch bark part of horse chestnut is generally utilized for skin ulcers and lupus.
Is It Safe To Use?
Likely Safe - Short term, oral and appropriate usage of horse chestnut powder is thought to be safe. Its seed extract appears safe if utilized for 2 to 12 week time period.
Likely Unsafe - Oral consumption of raw seed, leaves, flower or bark of horse chestnut is considered unsafe. There is significant quantity of the toxin esculin, which may cause lethal side effects.
Likely Unsafe for Infants - Oral consumption of the bark, raw seeds, leaves or flower is considered unsafe for small children. Severe poisoning has been reported in children drinking tea made with leaves and twigs.
Likely Unsafe for Pregnant and Breast Feeding Females - Oral utilization of bark, seed, flower or leaves of horse chestnut is thought to be unsafe for both such females. So, it is advised to discontinue horse chestnut seed extract because there is lack of authentic and reliable information available regarding its safety.
How Effective Is Horse Chestnut?
Horse chestnut is considered likely effective for following conditions.
Chronic venous insufficiency - Oral consumption of extract of horse chestnut powder may decrease symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency for example varicose veins, tiredness, pain, swelling in the legs, tension, edema and itching.
However, there is insufficient and unreliable information available to say anything about effectiveness of horse chestnut for other purposes.
How Horse Chestnut Works?
The most effective parts of Aesculus hippocastanum are the bark, flower, leaves and seeds. Seed extract of horse chestnut is the most frequently used part. This plant consists of triterpene saponins. Aesculin, a constituent in horse chestnut powder, is a hydroxycoumarin that may enhance bleeding time because of antithrombin effects. Aescin diminishes the permeability of venous vessels. According to in vitro studies, aescin reduces the capillary permeability and constricts veins. These characteristics of saponin are the reason for the cosmetic applications of seed extract of horse chestnut. There are some countries where an intravenous mixture consisting aescin is utilized after surgical procedures. It may also appear to have a diuretic action. Bark and flower parts of horse chestnut also consist of stigmasterol, sterols, alpha and beta type sitosterol.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Horse Chestnut?
Orally - Side effects of seed extract of horse chestnut, with lethal constituent esculin removed, seem moderate. Some individuals who take this extract experience migraine, dizziness and pruritus.
The seeds and bark of Aesculus hippocastanum can also result in toxic nephropathy and GI irritation.
There is esculin in chestnut that has antithrombotic impacts, which may be related to risk of injury and severe bleeding.
Other symptoms that may follow the use of horse chestnut powder include diarrhea, vomiting, dilated pupils, loss of coordination, weakness, loss of coordination, paralysis, muscle twitching, stupor, and depression.
Flower pollen from horse chestnut can result in some adverse effects in infants. It is responsible for hypertensive reactions, which happen more frequently in latex-allergic individual.
Rectally, horse chestnut may cause serious allergic proctitis and contact dermatitis.
Intramuscularly, horse chestnut leaf extract has been associated with cholestatic liver damage.
Intramuscularly, leaves extract of horse chestnut may develop cholestatic liver damage.
How Horse Chestnut Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
Herbs & Supplements Containing Hypoglycemic Properties - Consumption of herbs (having hypoglycemic activity) with horse chestnut powder may have adverse and additive effects. Such supplements & herbs include chromium, alpha-lipoic acid, fenugreek, devil claw, Siberian ginseng, psyllium, Panax ginseng, guar gum, garlic and others.
Herbs & Supplements Containing Antiplatelet or Anticoagulant Properties - Consumption of Aesculus hippocastanum with herbs containing antiplatelet impacts could increase the risk of bleeding.
How Horse Chestnut Interacts With Drugs?
Antiplatelet or Anticoagulant Drugs - Interaction rating is moderate between horse chestnut powder and drugs having antiplatelet or anticoagulant action.Drugs in such category include clopidogrel (Plavix), aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for example ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil and others), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox and others), heparin, diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren and others), dalteparin (Fragmin), warfarin , enoxaparin (Lovenox) and others.
Antidiabetes Drugs - Be careful about using combination of horse chestnut powder and antidiabetes drugs because this combination shows moderate side effects. Level of blood glucose should be monitored on regular basis because of claims that horse chestnut bark and seeds can have hypoglycemic effects.
Lithium - Interaction rating between horse chestnut and lithium is moderate, so be careful about this mixture. Horse chestnut may have diuretic activity in some individuals, which may increase the level of lithium in body.
How Horse Chestnut Interacts With Foods?
Not known.
How Horse Chestnut Interacts With Lab Tests?
Not known.
How Horse Chestnut Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
Horse chestnut is thought to have diuretic properties. Because of these potential diuretic impacts, horse chestnut powder may increase the levels of lithium and reduce its excretion. In this case, lithium dosage should be decreased.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Horse Chestnut?
OFAL In order to cure venous insufficiency, combination of horse chestnut seed extract and aescin should be utilized two times every day in dosage of 300 mg and 50 mg respectively.
Comments
Sometimes horse chestnut is also known as buckeye. However don’t mix chestnut with the related species such example Aesculus glabra and Aesculus californica called respectively as the Ohio and California buckeye.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.