Horse chestnut is a nut from the horse chestnut tree, and its scientific name is Aesculus hippocastanum. It is highly nutritious, and its tree is used as a medicinal plant in the treatment of varicose veins and hemorrhoids, as well as for a variety of other diseases. The most commonly used parts of the plant are the nuts (seeds), the fruit, and the leaves. When consumed in moderation, it can bring various health benefits.

Horse chestnut can be found in open-air markets, pharmacies, and some supermarkets, and its leaves are also sold for teas, or in powdered form, or in capsules, creams, and soaps.

Benefits of Horse Chestnut

Horse chestnut has astringent, anti-inflammatory, tonic, stimulant, vasoprotective, vasoconstrictive, hemostatic, and capillary permeability-reducing properties, acting mainly on the blood vessels. So what is it used for?

This nut is used to help relieve certain conditions, such as poor circulation and swelling caused by lack of circulation, menstrual cramps, varicose veins, phlebitis, as well as hemorrhoids and skin inflammation in general. It is also recommended to relieve the pain of heavy legs.

Main Benefits

The benefits of horse chestnut can be listed as:

  • It prevents and treats bothersome varicose veins, which are superficial veins that become dilated and appear mainly on the skin;
  • It helps relieve hemorrhoids: inflamed veins around the anus, which sometimes bleed;
  • It helps treat bruises, which are small ruptures of capillary vessels;
  • Eliminates edema: swelling due to fluid retention;
  • Helps in the treatment of thrombophlebitis and prostatitis;
  • Relieves PMS, menstrual cramps, and leg pain;
  • Promotes good circulation;
  • Soothes dermatitis: skin inflammations;
  • Acts in the treatment of eczema;
  • Can be an ally in a healthy diet.

But beware: because it is very caloric, horse chestnut cannot be considered a weight loss food; it can only help with diets due to its property of reducing fluid retention and swelling. The price of horse chestnut can vary between different products but is generally low in medicinal cost, starting from 10 reais.

Different Ways to Use Horse Chestnut

Horse chestnut tea is made with the leaves of the horse chestnut tree and is highly recommended as a natural way to relieve skin problems such as dermatitis or eczema, as well as hemorrhoids and inflammations in the joints, such as arthritis and arthrosis.

The ingredients for the tea are: 30 g of horse chestnut leaves and 1 liter of water. Prepare by boiling the water and adding it to the leaves for 20 minutes to steep. You can drink 2 or 3 cups a day of the tea for hemorrhoids, or use it in compresses to be applied over the site of inflammation, without rubbing.

It is also possible to use horse chestnut tincture for the treatment of poor circulation, varicose veins, and heavy legs. To make the tincture, the ingredients required are horse chestnut powder and 70% ethyl alcohol. Prepare by placing 5 tablespoons of the powder in a bottle of alcohol and leaving it to rest for 2 weeks, exposed to the sun. Afterwards, the mixture should be stored in a dark glass container away from sunlight.

The tincture must be well diluted for ingestion, and can be used with a dropper as with flower essences. For every 5 tablespoons of tincture, the ratio is 1 liter of water. The most practical way to use horse chestnut is to purchase products sold in pharmacies or compounding pharmacies, such as supplements in capsule form.

Horse Chestnut in Capsules

“Compound” horse chestnut is a capsule supplement that combines three other plants: “smartweed,” “sarsaparilla,” and “rutin.” These are taken with the purpose of improving the venous system, reducing the fragility of capillary blood vessels. This supplement may be used for treating varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

The recommended daily use of horse chestnut in capsules is 1 dragee 3 to 4 times a day; for this, it is best to consult a nutritionist.

Contraindications of Horse Chestnut

Horse chestnut has side effects that can cause stomach pain, heartburn, or allergic symptoms such as skin redness. It should not be prescribed during pregnancy, or for nursing mothers or children; nor for those using anticoagulant medications.

Horse chestnut should not be consumed in excess, as overuse can lead to symptoms such as weakness, nausea, itching, decreased coordination, pupil dilation, central nervous system depression, and even paralysis.

See Also: What is Beta-Carotene and Its Relationship with “Vitamin A”

Photo: Solipsist