Aesculus hippocastanum benefits

Horse chestnut is a tree that produces spiny-shelled fruits containing seeds, known as conkers. These may have some health benefits, aesculus hippocastanum benefits, for instance in treating varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Horse chestnut extract has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and may help relieve pain and inflammation. It may also benefit other health conditions like hemorrhoids and male infertility caused by swollen veins.

Aesculus hippocastanum benefits

The horse chestnut is a tree that produces fruits with spiny shells containing seeds, called conchs. These fruits can have beneficial effects on health , for example in the treatment of varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Proponents of horse chestnut suggest that the seed extract contains active compounds that may protect veins and promote blood circulation. This is why some people may use it to treat varicose veins. However, while the seed extract appears safe for short-term use, horse chestnut raw materials may contain toxic compounds. Further research is therefore needed to distinguish possible health benefits and side effects. This article discusses the properties of horse chestnuts and their beneficial effects on health. It also reviews the research findings and the essential things to consider when it comes to safety and side effects. Also read: Treat yourself with natural treatments. Aesculus hippocastanum , or horse chestnut , is a tree native to parts of southeastern Europe , but grows in many parts of the world today. It is also known as "buckeye " or "Spanish chestnut". The tree is recognizable by its leaves and flowers , but its most notable feature is its fruit. Insects pollinate the flowers, which then develop a shiny red-brown cone inside a spiky green husk. The fruits of the tree resemble chestnuts but have a bitter taste and are unfit for consumption. However, horse chestnut extract is traditionally used as a medicinal plant to treat several health problems.

In most studies, the dosage used is — mg of aescin per day.

In addition to the well reported beneficial effects of horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum extracts on venous insufficiency and associated conditions, such preparations also have many potential positive pharmacological effects on the skin. Extracts from this species, and in particular, those based on horse chestnut seeds, contain saponins, known collectively as 'aescin', which have a gentle soapy feel, and are potent anti-inflammatory compounds. Saponins, such as escin, also reduce capillary fragility, and therefore help to prevent leakage of fluids into surrounding tissues, which can cause swelling. An extract of horse chestnut has recently been shown to have one of the highest 'active-oxygen' scavenging abilities of 65 different plant extracts tested. Such extracts are more powerful anti-oxidants than vitamin E, and also exhibit potent cell-protective effects, which are linked to the well-known anti-ageing properties of anti-oxidants. The extract is also rich in a number of flavonoids, such as derivatives of quercetin and kaempferol. Flavonoids also have protective effects on blood vessels, and are well-known, powerful anti-oxidants.

Horse chestnut is a tree that produces spiny-shelled fruits containing seeds, known as conkers. These may have some health benefits, for instance in treating varicose veins and hemorrhoids. However, they may also have adverse effects. Proponents of horse chestnut suggest that the seed extract contains active compounds that may protect veins and promote blood flow. As such, some people may use it to treat varicose veins.

Aesculus hippocastanum benefits

Traditionally, horse chestnut was taken by people hoping to naturally cure joint pain, bladder and digestive issues, fever and leg cramps. While several of these issues have not been tested scientifically, there are some benefits to taking horse chestnut, most notably its ability to combat chronic venous insufficiency a vascular condition , hemorrhoids and swelling after surgery. Other contemporary but untested uses of horse chestnut include enlarged prostate , menstrual pain and eczema. While many of these folk uses remain unproven, there are some little-known, but major, researched benefits of horse chestnut for health. These include a powerful antioxidant load; a potential male fertility aid; and preliminary evidence that horse chestnut extract may be able to kill some types of cancer cells. This condition is characterized by non-functioning valves in your veins commonly in the legs and sometimes arms , which causes blood to pool in the limbs and an increase in internal pressure within the veins. CVI is actually a very common affliction, affecting up to as many as 40 percent of people in the U.

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However, horse chestnut is not widely available in grocery or retail stores. Additionally, horse chestnut seeds contain the following chemical compounds. Unprocessed horse chestnut seeds contain a compound called aesculin, which is considered unsafe to ingest by the Food and Drug Administration FDA. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider s. However, while the seed extract appears to be safe for short-term use, raw materials from the horse chestnut may contain toxic compounds. CVI affects approximately 6 to 7 million people in the United States , with more women than men suffering from it. Taking high doses or using horse chestnut for too long may increase this risk. Cooked horse chestnut should also not be consumed. Horse chestnut seed extract may reduce inflammation related to chronic venous insufficiency, trauma, surgery, or injuries. Was this helpful? As such, it is advisable for anyone considering horse chestnut to discuss taking this supplement with a healthcare professional. Summary Inflammation can cause swelling and fluid retention. Reported side effects of horse chestnut seed extract are mild and include digestion issues, upset stomach, dizziness, headache , and itching. Additionally, a laboratory study indicates that horse chestnut extract might help wound healing or help treat tumors in skin cancer. For these reasons, always consult with your healthcare provider before taking horse chestnut extract — especially if you have a medical condition or are currently taking medications.

Horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum is a deciduous tree native to southeastern Europe. It sprouts white flowers in the spring that eventually turn to spiky green balls that contain fruit.

Essential Oils for Hemorrhoids. This is due to the overall lack of research on horse chestnut. The main active component of horse chestnut is escin. Symptoms can include swelling, pain, and skin discoloration. Soaking your anal area in Epsom salt may provide some relief from uncomfortable hemorrhoids. Sleepiness is not a reported side effect of horse chestnut. The next sections will outline these potential uses further. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Events Videos. This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. In addition, people with kidney or liver disease should not take horse chestnut as it may exacerbate symptoms of their disease 3. These may have some health benefits, for instance in treating varicose veins and hemorrhoids.