Horse Chestnut Stéphanie Bureau, N.D

Horse Chestnut Stéphanie Bureau, n.d.

Horse chestnut (Aesculus hip- used medicinally are the seeds, pocastanum), also known as leaves, bark and flowers. Horse chestnut is used conker tree, buckeye or Spanish extensively as an Horse chestnut seed extract standar- anti-inflammatory for a chestnut, is a species of flowering dized to around 20 percent aescin, is plant in the soapberry and lychee prized for its powerful venotonic qua- variety of vascular lities, as well as for its vascular protec- conditions including family. Native to Eastern Europe, tion, anti-inflammatory and free radical hardening of the arteries, horse chestnut can today be scavenging properties. Horse chestnut is varicose veins, phlebitis, found throughout the Northern also used extensively as an anti-inflammatory for a variety of vascular condi- leg ulcers, hemorrhoids Hemisphere. Relatively unknown tions including hardening of the arteries, and frostbite among in North America, horse chestnut varicose veins, phlebitis, leg ulcers, he- others. morrhoids and frostbite among others. extract is a staple of European herbalism. The plant in fact, is rich Additionally, horse chestnut is often used tic approach. However, as opposed to as a potent astringent to help tone the in saponins and flavones, with compression stockings that are more of vein walls which, once distended, may a band-aid cure or symptomatic option, aescin, its most biologically active become varicose, hemorrhoidal or cause horse chestnut actually addresses the other more severe circulatory issues. The compound, predominating in the root cause of the problem, for a more seeds also reduce fluid retention by in- complete and long term solution. As an seeds. It is also rich in potent creasing capillary permeability, thus al- added bonus, the research into horse lowing the re-absorption of excess fluid flavonoids compounds such as chestnut has, very fortunately, observed back into the circulatory system. In fact, very few potential adverse effects. It has, quercetrin. The parts which are horse chestnut seed extract is a perfect in fact, shown to be remarkably safe and remedy for most conditions affecting the well tolerated by most people. circulatory system.

Horse chestnut seed extract is also an Far from being of mere folkloric value, effective treatment for hemorrhoids. In horse chestnut seed extract has been fact, scientific research has shown that extensively studied in the treatment of 120 mg of horse chestnut seed extract chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and daily significantly improves symptoms its associated symptoms: pain, vari- of pain, itching, burning, and swelling in cose veins, ankle swelling, itching, and those with hemorrhoids. Finally, horse leg cramps. Indeed, a recent review chestnut extract has also shown to be of all existing clinical trials concluded of considerable value in the treatment that based on evidence, horse chest- of conditions such as diarrhea and nut seed extract is indeed an effective other disorders of the digestive system and safe therapeutic approach to CVI. caused by infective agents, as well as In fact, one of the studies examined arthritis, fever, edema, inflammation of actually found horse chestnut to be as varying origin and various skin disorders. effective as compression stockings for CVI - the traditional first line therapeu-

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Since 1974 Varicose veins: The effectiveness of gime, and a general diet and lifestyle Medicinal horse chestnut is perhaps the most pro- that are both healthy and balanced. found when applied to the treatment of In addition, some key herbs and sup- properties varicose veins. Indeed, the plant helps plements should ideally be added to diminish varicose veins by stabilizing bolster support and to maximize the the capillary endothelium, improving the nutritional profile. Horse chestnut is a • Anti-oxidant tonicity of veins, reducing the permeabi- wonderful circulatory tonic and of great • Anti-inflammatory lity of capillaries, and increasing the flow importance to maintaining vein health. It of blood through the veins. Horse chest- is extremely effective as a standalone, • Anti-rheumatic nut extract has also been used in topical but may also be combined with other application to cosmetically improve the substances such as rutin, gotu kola, red • Analgesic appearance of varicose veins. In topical vine laves, butcher's broom, bilberry, application, it has also shown to be of bromelain, pine bark extract and sweet • Astringent benefit to reduce swelling or inflamma- clover, among others. tion in the joints, tendons and muscles. • Decongestant

• Expectorant Venous insufficiency: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition • Febrifuge in which ill-functioning valves prevent blood from efficiently circulating away • Tonic from the extremities. There are different causes of CVI but the most common • Vasoprotective include deep vein thrombosis and obe- • Venous tonic sity. The standard treatment for CVI in mainstream medicine is the use of compression stockings, which help push the blood in the lower extremities back toward the heart. Although these stockings do help alleviate many of the common symptoms of CVI, they do nothing Pathologies to correct the underlying problem. Horse chestnut is widely prescribed in Europe for this condition. Indeed, studies have Hemorrhoids: Horse chestnut is an shown that horse chestnut extract pro- effective and often prescribed treatment vides a similar effect to compression option for hemorrhoids. Horse chestnut socks and helps to contract veins and in fact, works by improving the strength arteries, and as such is one of the best of veins, preventing the breakdown of treatment options for toning the arteries capillaries, and decreasing inflamma- and capillaries. tion. According to NYU Medical Center, one of the active constituents in horse chestnut - aescin, can effectively reduce concomitant swelling and inflammation, as well as ProduCts: help seal leaking capillaries. This results in improving vein elasticity, preventing Concomitant products: Impro- the release of glycosaminoglycan hy- vement and maintenance of vein and drolases enzymes which break-down circulatory health and function depend collagen, and in the end, preventing da- highly on the quality of blood and blood mage to the veins and the development flow. This can be achieved by adhering of hemorrhoids. to a quality diet, a healthy exercise re-

1. Küçükkurt I, Ince S, Keleş H, Akkol EK, Avci G, Yeşilada E, Bacak E. Beneficial effects of Aesculus hippocastanum L. seed extract on the body’s own antioxidant defense system on subacute administration. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 May 4;129(1):18-22. 2. Pittler MH, Ernst E. (2012). "Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency". Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 11: CD003230. 3. Methlie CB, Schjøtt J. [Horse chestnut–remedy for chronic venous insufficiency]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2009 Feb 26;129(5):420-2. 4. Sirtori CR (September 2001). "Aescin: pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic profile". Pharmacol. Res. 44 (3): 183–193. 5. Suter A, Bommer S, Rechner J. Treatment of patients with venous insufficiency with fresh plant horse chestnut seed extract: a review of 5 clinical studies. Adv Ther. Since 1974 2006 Jan-Feb;23(1):179-90. 6. Sirtori CR. Aescin: pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic profile. Pharmacol Res. 2001 Sep;44(3):183-93. Review. Léo Désilets Maître Herboriste Inc. 7. Bisler H, Pfeifer R, Klüken N, Pauschinger P. [Effects of horse-chestnut seed extract on transcapillary filtration in chronic venous insufficiency]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 1986 Aug 29;111(35):1321-9. 35, rue du Victoria O, Scotstown, QC, J0B 3B0 (819) 657-4733 • www.leo-desilets.com