Newsletter #22

HEALING HORSE CHESNUT

For all those conditions nobody wants to talk about

Offering far more than autumn foliage, horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) has long been valued for its medicinal powers. Substances contained in its shiny, rounded seeds make capillary walls less porous, reduce vascular damage, and stimulate circulation. The bark and leaves have been used to treat bronchitis and whooping cough, and even to protect against ultraviolet radiation damage.

Today, horse chestnut seeds, leaves, and bark are processed to remove any harmful chemicals. The remaining herbal extract contains significant quantities of triterpene saponins, flavonoids, oligosaccharides, sterols, tannins, and other chemicals whose combined effects are a tonic for the veins.

One triterpene saponin, aescin, is considered the principal healing ingredient of horse chestnut seed extract. It tightens veins and helps prevent edema (fluid retention). Several double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, and cross-over studies of aescin have documented signigicant improvement in the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, venous edema in chronic deep vein incompetence, and edema among pregnant women. In Europe, aescin is also used intravenously to prevent post-traumatic or post-surgical swelling.

CVI AND VARICOSE VEINS

One of the most common health problems today, chronic venous insufficiency (or CVI) results in pain, a sensation of heaviness in the legs, the cramping of calf muscles at night, itching, and swelling in the legs. CVI can result from the excessive clotting and inflammation of leg veins or a simple failure of valves that would otherwise prevent blood from responding to gravity and moving down the legs. Slow or impaired circulation in the legs can cause swelling and pain in the feet and calves, conditions made worse by prolonged standing. If CVI progresses, it can darken the skin and cause varicose veins (swollen, distended, knotted veins and capillaries that leak blood and fluid into surrounding tissue, staining the legs with blue streaks, trails, and spidery markings).

"The events leading to varicose veins and CVI also include the release of enzymes that attack the walls of the veins and capillaries, as well as chemicals that encourage inflammation," explains Seattle herbal practitioner Donald Brown, ND. "Aescin to the rescue again!" This substance reduces the action of damaging enzymes that are elevated in individuals with CVI.

In medical studies, CVI patients who took horse chestnut seed extract capsules containing 50 mg of aescin twice per day, experienced significantly reduced swelling. Also, horse chestnut extract has been found as effective for people with CVI as using compression stockings or conventional diuretic therapy.

HEMORRHOIDS

Research shows that aescin firms up hemorrhoids--large, raised veins in the rectum or anus--which can bleed or become inflamed (causing intense pain, discomfort, or itching). Double-blind research supports the use of horse chestnut extracts, which improve venous circulation, for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Horse chestnut gels, creams, and extracts, as well as teas made from the powdered bark or seed mixed with water, can be applied topically to help reduce swelling and relieve hemorrhoid pain.

EDEMA (FLUID RETENTION)

Puffy ankles, swollen fingers, and fluid retention can result from temporary conditions like premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or more serious ailments like congestive heart failure, pre-eclampsia in pregnancy, venous insufficiency, or injury. It's important to determine the cause of edema, because congestive heart failure and pregnancy-related conditions require medical treatment.

BRUISES, SPORTS INJURIES, WRINKLES

In Europe, a topical horse chestnut preparation is a popular treatment for acute sprains resulting from sports injuries. Horse chestnut can also be taken internally and applied topically to treat injuries.

Herbalist James Duke, PhD, considers horse chestnut an anti-aging remedy. He cites Japanese research, which found that horse chestnut and witch hazel have the most potent antioxidant activity against wrinkles among 65 different plant extracts.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Horse chestnut extracts are taken as supplements, and gels or creams containing the herb are applied topically. For CVI or varicose veins, Dr. Brown recommends 300 mg of horse chestnut seed extract (standardized to 50 mg of aescin) 2 to 3 times a day. For swelling, apply topical cream or gels containing 2 percent aescin 3 to 4 times daily, until you see improvement.

Horse chestnut extracts are generally considered safe for long term use. On occasion topical preparations have produced allergic skin reactions. Never use it on broken skin or burns. Horse chestnut seed extract may have a mild blood-thinning effect, so it is not recommended for anyone on aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), or antiplatelet aggregation (Ticlid) therapy. Also avoid taking it immediately before or after surgery or with a bleeding disorder.

Anyone with liver or kidney disease should avoid taking horse chestnut, and its products should not be taken internally by women who are pregnant. To rule out serious diseases that might be causing symptoms, always consult with a healthcare professional before self-treating with horse chestnut.

Selected Sources

*Best Herbs for Healing by Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leight, and Krista Morien

*Herbal Prescriptions for Health and Healing by Donald J. Brown, ND

*Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC