Horse chestnut how does it work

Since chronic venous insufficiency is a long-term problem use of Horse Chestnut only delays needing a more permanent fix. Horse Chestnut does not appear to work in advanced disease. Vessel wall damage occurs in advanced disease and fibrous tissue replaces the muscles. Therefore, increasing venous tone and preventing leaks may not be possible with a drug.

Aescin will help the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. The swelling, pain, and itching which accompanies varicose veins. Aescin does not necessarily improve the appearance. Aescin is a drug. Even though it is a supplement and it comes from nature, it is synthesized to an active compound and is a drug. This is like opium and other narcotics which are synthesized from poppy seeds. Additionally, it is like aspirin originally synthesized from willow bark.

So, like all drugs, you should discuss the use with your physician. Bottom Line For short term use, Horse Chestnut extract does help with symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. Have Questions? Feel free to contact us. Its fruits contain seeds that resemble sweet chestnuts but have a bitter taste. Historically, horse chestnut seed extract was used for joint pain, bladder and gastrointestinal problems, fever, leg cramps, and other conditions.

Today, horse chestnut seed extract is promoted for chronic venous insufficiency CVI; poor blood flow in the veins of the legs, which may lead to leg pain, swelling, itchiness, and other symptoms , irritable bowel syndrome, male infertility, and other conditions. How Much Do We Know? Some studies in people have looked at horse chestnut seed extract for CVI, but very little research has been done on its use for other conditions.

What Have We Learned? A systematic review of 17 studies suggested that horse chestnut seed extract can improve symptoms of CVI. Results from one of these studies suggested that horse chestnut seed extract may be as effective as wearing compression stockings. The reviewers noted, however, that there is a need for more rigorous, large-scale randomized controlled trials to assess the efficacy of this treatment option for CVI.

The raw seeds, bark, flowers, and leaves of horse chestnut are unsafe because they contain a toxic component. Standardized horse chestnut seed extracts, from which this component has been removed, appear to be safe for short-term use.

Chestnuts contain a poison called aesculin, which is chemically similar to warfarin and causes prolonged bleeding. Good-quality products should state that aesculin is not present. Extracts should be standardised to state how much active ingredient aescin each dose contains. Horse chestnut seed extract has consistently shown benefit for the short-term treatment of varicose veins. Since treatment for this condition will need to continue for many years, long-term studies are needed.

The extract has been safe in short-term studies. The usual dose has been mg of extract, which is usually standardised to give mg aescin. Given the lack of other satisfactory treatments for varicose veins, horse chestnut seed extract may be a helpful alternative to compression stockings. However, anyone using blood-thinning medications should be certain the product contains no aesculin.

Please update your payment details to keep enjoying your Irish Times subscription. Why horse chestnut treatment is not in vein Tue, Sep 30, , Evidence from studies Several laboratory and animal studies have found that the active ingredient in chestnut is a compound called aescin. More from The Irish Times Health. Home energy upgrades are now more important than ever. The Dublin start-up making the future better with an appreciation for innovation. Covid Lives Lost The rich, full and cherished lives of the people behind the numbers.

According to an extensive overview of clinical trials, standardized horse chestnut seed extract, which contains the active compound aescin, has been shown to be effective in double-blind and other controlled research, supporting the traditional use of horse chestnut for venous problems. In these trials, capsules of horse chestnut extract containing 50 mg of aescin were given two to three times daily for CVI.

The positive effect results in part from horse chestnut's ability to strengthen capillaries, which leads to a reduction in swelling. Horse chestnut extracts have been reported from a double-blind trial to reduce symptoms of hemorrhoids. Horse chestnut contains a compound called aescin that acts as an anti-inflammatory and reduces edema swelling with fluid following trauma, particularly sports injuries, surgery, and head injury. The gel is typically applied to affected area every two hours until swelling begins to subside.

A topical aescin preparation is popular in Europe for the treatment of acute sprains during sporting events. Aescin, isolated from horse chestnut seed, has been shown to effectively reduce post-surgical edema in preliminary trials. A form of aescin that is injected into the bloodstream is often used but only under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.

Horse chestnut seed extract can be taken orally or used as an external application for disorders of venous circulation, including varicose veins. Preliminary studies in humans have shown that mg three times per day of a standardized extract of horse chestnut seed reduced the formation of enzymes thought to cause varicose veins.

Horse chestnut leaves have been used by herbalists as a cough remedy and to reduce fevers. In traditional herbal medicine, poultices of the seeds have been used topically to treat skin ulcers and skin cancer. Other uses include the internal and external application for problems of venous circulation, including varicose veins and hemorrhoids. The seeds are the source of a saponin known as aescin, which has been shown to promote circulation through the veins.

This has made both topical and internal horse chestnut extracts popular in Europe for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency and, to a lesser extent, varicose veins. Aescin also possesses anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to reduce edema swelling with fluid following trauma, particularly following sports injury, surgery, and head injury.

Horse chestnuts also contain flavonoids , sterols, and tannins. Double-blind and preliminary clinical trials have shown that oral horse chestnut extracts reduce the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency , including swelling and pain.

Although there are no specific studies demonstrating interactions with anticoagulants, the following herbs contain coumarin-like substances that may interact with heparin and could conceivably cause bleeding.

These herbs include dong quai , fenugreek , horse chestnut , red clover , sweet clover, and sweet woodruff. People should consult a healthcare professional if they're taking an anticoagulant and wish to use one of these herbs. Internal use of horse chestnut seed extracts standardized for aescin at recommended amounts is generally safe.

However, in rare cases oral intake of horse chestnut may cause itching, nausea, and upset stomach. There are no known reasons to avoid horse chestnut during pregnancy. Circulation disorders and trauma associated with swelling may be the sign of a serious condition.