Horse chestnut is the seed of the horse chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum). It possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-hemorrhoidal, and vasoconstrictive properties and may be used to treat hemorrhoids and circulation problems like venous insufficiency and varicose veins.
Horse chestnut is rich in quercetin and kaempferol, which are bioactive compounds with antioxidant effects that prevent the accumulation of fatty plaques in the blood vessels and the development of atherosclerosis.
Horse chestnut can be found in pharmacies and health food stores in the form of pills, capsules, tinctures, gels, ointments, and soaps. Horse chestnut cannot be consumed as a food, however, as horse chestnut in its natural form can be poisonous.
Health benefits
The main benefits of horse chestnut are:
1. Improving poor circulation
Horse chestnut helps improve poor circulation due to its venotonic effects that naturally increase venous pressure to promote blood flow. Horse chestnut is also an excellent vasoconstrictor and helps reduce capillary fragility and prevent damage to the veins.
Horse chestnut contains aescin, an antiedematous substance that reduces swelling in the legs and helps relieve symptoms of poor circulation and varicose veins, such as pain and heaviness in the legs.
2. Helping treat hemorrhoids
Horse chestnut can alleviate pain and discomfort caused by hemorrhoids by reducing localized inflammation and vasodilation thanks to its vasoconstrictive and anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Promoting wound healing
Horse chestnut helps wound healing due to its venotonic and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and increase blood flow, which is important for the healing process.
Other measures like avoiding smoking and alcohol use and following a healthy diet are also important to promote wound healing.
4. Decreasing the risk of atherosclerosis
Horse chestnut contains aescin, quercetin, and kaempferol, bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties that combat free radicals to prevent oxidation of fat cells.
In this way, horse chestnut helps control levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, preventing the formation of fatty plaques in the blood vessels and lowering the risk of atherosclerosis.
5. Helping treat skin conditions
Horse chestnut may be indicated to help treat or prevent inflammatory skin conditions like dermatitis and eczema due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Does horse chestnut help with weight loss?
Horse chestnut does not possess any weight loss properties and there are currently no scientific studies to prove that using horse chestnut leads to weight loss.
Horse chestnut vs. candlenut
Horse chestnut is the seed of the Aesculus hippocastanum tree that can be used to improve blood circulation, treat hemorrhoids, and help with wound healing.
Candlenut is the seed of the Aleurites moluccana tree. It is indicated for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, combating constipation, and pain relief.
How to use
Horse chestnut can be consumed in the form of capsules, pills, or teas. Horse chestnut can also be found in gels, ointments, and soaps.
Horse chestnut cannot be consumed in its natural form (as a food) as it contains high levels of aesculin, a compound that can be poisonous when consumed in excess. Sypmtoms of aesculin intoxication include muscle spasms, dilated pupils, nausea, vomiting, and, in the most serious cases, paralysis, coma, and death.
1. Tea
Horse chestnut tea can be used to treat hemorrhoids, varicose veins, poor circulation, skin conditions like dermatitis or eczema, and joint inflammation like osteoarthritis.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 g (1 tsp) crushed horse chestnuts;
- 1 cup water.
Directions:
Bring the horse chestnuts and water to boil in a pot on the stove. Let boil for 10 minutes then remove from the heat. Let cool, strain, and drink (up tp 2 cups per day).
2. Capsules or pills
Horse chestnut can also be taken in the form of 100 to 200 mg capsules or pills. The recommended dose is typically 1 to 2 pills twice a day, which should be taken with a full glass of water.
3. Sitz bath
Sitz baths with horse chestnut help treat external hemorrhoids due to properties that improve circulation and reduce inflammation, providing rapid relief from pain and discomfort.
Ingredients:
- 60 g horse chestnut tree bark;
- 2 L water.
Directions:
Combine the ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil on the stove. Let boil for 10 minutes. Let cool, strain, and transfer the mixture to a basin. After cleansing the genital area, sit in the shallow water for 20 minutes. This sitz bath can be done as often as needed.
This mixture can also be used to treat skin conditions by making a compress to apply to the affected area for 15 minutes without rubbing on the skin.
4. Tincture
A horse chestnut tincture can be used to treat problems with poor circulation in the legs, varicose veins, and swelling.
The typical recommendation is to dilute 15 drops of this tincture in 1 cup of water or juice and drink 3 times a day.
Learn how to make a tincture.
5. Ointment or gel
Horse chestnut gels or ointments should be applied in a thin layer to the affected area up to 3 times a day.
Always apply the gel or ointment in an upward motion (bottom to top) to stimulate venous return and prevent damage to the small blood vessels.
Side effects
Side effects from horse chestnut tinctures, capsules, or teas include itchy skin, nausea, reflux, headache, and stomachache.
Horse chestnut in the form of an oinment can cause localized redness and itching of the skin.
Contraindications
Horse chestnut tea, tinctures, pills, and capsules are not recommended during pregnany or lactation and should not be given to children or people with gastrointestinal (GI) problems, heart failure, or liver or kidney disease.
People who take anticoagulants or derivatives of acetylsalicylic acid should not take horse chestnut. This is because horse chestnut contains aesculin, a substance that can increase the risk for bleeding.
Horse chestnut ointments and gels shouold not be applied to open wounds or around the eyes.