Horse Chestnut: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
Horse chestnut, False chestnut, Common Horse Chestnut
Scientific name(s)
Aesculus hippocastanum
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Tannins
Escin
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Venous insufficiency ✪✪✪✪✪
Most clinical research suggests that oral intake of horse chestnut extract reduces the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Clinical research shows that taking horse chestnut seed extract 300 mg twice daily or providing escin, a constituent of horse chestnut, in the amount of 50-75 mg twice daily for up to 12 weeks can reduce some symptoms of CVI, such as varicose veins, pain, fatigue, tension, itching, edema, and leg swelling. This supports its traditional use as a remedy for CVI and its associated symptoms. Horse chestnut's ability to inhibit the catalytic breakdown of capillary wall proteoglycans and reduce inflammation is partly responsible for this effect.
Posologie
Orally: seed, buds
100 - 150 mg
Adults
gemmotherapy, standardized extract
Responsiveness of Human Varicose Saphenous Veins to Vasoactive Agents
Escin: A Review of Its Anti-Edematous, Anti-Inflammatory, and Venotonic Properties
Horse-chestnut Seed Extract for Chronic Venous Insufficiency. A Criteria-Based Systematic Review
Horse Chestnut Seed Extract for Chronic Venous Insufficiency
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
European Union herbal monograph on Aesculus hippocastanum L., semen
Hemorrhoids ✪✪✪✪✪
Horse chestnut is beneficial in treating hemorrhoids, with its venotonic and anti-inflammatory properties. Horse chestnut is used topically for treating hemorrhoids. Although there are not many studies on the efficacy of horse chestnut in treating hemorrhoids, oral treatment with escin may significantly improve symptoms according to a double-blind placebo-controlled study involving 72 volunteers suffering from hemorrhoids. Indeed, improvement in hemorrhoids was observed in 82% of subjects treated with horse chestnut compared to 32% with the placebo. Symptom improvement required at least 6 days of treatment to be established, and the dose used was 40 mg of escin three times daily.
Posologie
Oral, topical: seed, buds
120 mg
1 - weeks
gemmotherapy, standardized extract
Leg ulcer ✪✪✪✪✪
CVI (chronic venous insufficiency) is characterized by increased capillary permeability, inflammatory reactions, decreased lymphatic reabsorption, edema, and tissue malnutrition. Thus, CVI is a precursor to chronic venous leg ulceration. Horse chestnut increases venous tone by decreasing venous fragility and capillary permeability, with anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, it improves microcirculation, which can prevent ulceration. A triple-blind study conducted on 54 patients suffering from venous leg ulcers showed significant improvement in the percentage of wound desquamation and number of dressing changes, without significant improvement in wound area, depth, volume, pain, and exudate. Further large-scale trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of horse chestnut in treating leg ulcers.
Posologie
Orally: seed, buds
120 mg
gemmotherapy, standardized extract
Using horse chestnut seed extract in the treatment of venous leg ulcers: a cost-benefit analysis
Clinical efficacy of horse chestnut seed extract in the treatment of venous ulceration
Wrinkles ✪✪✪✪✪
A study involving 40 healthy women tested the use of an eye gel containing 3% horse chestnut extract, applied around the eyes three times a day for 9 weeks. After 6 weeks, significant reductions in wrinkle scores at the corner of the eye or in the skin of the lower eyelid were observed compared to controls.
Posologie
Via the skin: seed
gel
Horse chestnut extract induces contraction force generation in fibroblasts through activation of Rho/Rho kinase
A horse chestnut extract, which induces contraction forces in fibroblasts, is a potent anti-aging ingredient
Varicose Veins ✪✪✪✪✪
The European Medicines Agency acknowledges the traditional use of horse chestnut in treating symptoms related to venous insufficiency, such as heavy and swollen legs, varicose veins, pain, itching, and calf cramps. Similarly, ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) recommends horse chestnut for chronic venous disorders, including varicose veins.
Posologie
Oral, skin: seed, buds
50 mg
gemmotherapy, standardized extract
Spider Veins ✪✪✪✪✪
Horse chestnut extracts have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, as well as the ability to enhance capillary fragility and reduce edema, making them a good candidate for use in topical cosmetic preparations.
Posologie
Oral, skin: seed, buds
50 mg
gemmotherapy, standardized extract
Effects of Escins Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb From Horse Chestnut, the Seeds of Aesculus Hippocastanum L., on Acute Inflammation in Animals
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
European Union herbal monograph on Aesculus hippocastanum L., semen
Edema ✪✪✪✪✪
The effectiveness of horse chestnut in treating lymphedema results from its anti-edematous properties and its influence on the tension of blood vessel walls.
Posologie
Oral, skin: seed, buds
50 mg
gemmotherapy, standardized extract
Properties
Venotonic
Horse chestnut is effective in preventing excessive fluid leakage from capillaries, which can cause swelling or edema. It works by inhibiting the breakdown of proteoglycans, important components of blood capillary walls. Animal studies have shown that horse chestnut seed extract can reduce swelling caused by inflammation or lymphatic issues.
Usages associés
Microcirculatory effect
In vitro, escin tightens the veins and reduces capillary permeability induced by histamine or serotonin.
Usages associés
Antioxidant
The role of oxidative stress, an imbalance between antioxidants and oxidants in the body, is increasingly recognized as a key element of inflammatory processes. Studies have shown that horse chestnut seed extract can inhibit lipid peroxidation, a type of cell damage, in a dose-dependent manner, both in enzymatic reactions and in the absence of enzymes, during in vitro experiments. Furthermore, this extract influences the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species depending on the concentration, with notable effects even at very low doses.
Anti-inflammatory
Experimental research has demonstrated that the preventive use of escin, an active component of horse chestnut, can decrease the production of IL-6, a substance involved in inflammation, by blood vessel wall cells. Additionally, animal studies have revealed that different forms of escins, notably Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb, reduce abnormal increases in capillary permeability caused by agents such as histamine, acetic acid, carrageenan, and serotonin. Other research also suggests that escin could effectively alter cellular response in inflammatory processes, notably by influencing leukocyte activation.
Usages associés
Anti-aging
Several studies have revealed that horse chestnut extract can stimulate fibroblasts, cells playing a key role in skin structure, by inducing the formation of stress fibers. This process involves activating the Rho protein and Rho kinase, essential elements in cell shape and movement regulation, by acting on the cytoskeleton. These findings suggest that horse chestnut extract could act as an anti-aging factor by influencing the cellular structure of the skin.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult from 18 years: 50 mg - 200 mg
Horse chestnut extract is often standardized to contain 16% to 20% triterpene glycosides (saponins), referred to as aescin. For chronic venous insufficiency, a standardized product with 50-100 mg of aescin twice a day has been used. The dose can be reduced to a maintenance dose of 50 mg of aescin once a day after 8 weeks.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet/Anticoagulant: moderate interaction
Horse chestnut could have antiplatelet effects. Theoretically, taking horse chestnut with other antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications could increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Antidiabetic: weak interaction
Due to a possible hypoglycemic activity, blood sugar should be monitored when horse chestnut and hypoglycemic agents are used simultaneously.
Precautions
Pregnant woman: avoid
There is not enough reliable information available on the safety of using horse chestnut seed extract during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding woman: avoid
There is not enough reliable information available on the safety of using horse chestnut seed extract during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Bleeding disorder: avoid
Horse chestnut could have antiplatelet effects. Theoretically, taking horse chestnut could increase the risk of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
Kidney failure: avoid
Toxic nephropathy has been reported after the use of horse chestnut.
Liver failure: avoid
Liver damage associated with horse chestnut has been reported.
Contraindications
Child up to 18 years: prohibited
Use is contraindicated for children.
Surgical intervention: prohibited
Horse chestnut could have antiplatelet effects. Theoretically, horse chestnut could increase the risk of excessive bleeding if used before surgery. It is advisable to stop using horse chestnut at least 2 weeks before surgical interventions.
