Horse Chestnut

See also : Aesculus Hippocastanum (homeopathy)
Other Names: Aescin, Aescine, Aesculus hippocastanum, Buckeye, Castaño de Indias, Châtaignier de Mer, Châtaignier des Chevaux, Chestnut, Escine, B-Escin, Faux-Châtaignier, Hippocastani Cortex, Hippocastani Flos, Hippocastani Folium, Hippocastani Semen, Hippocastanum Vulgare Gaertn, Marron Europeen, Marronnier, Marronnier Blanc, Marronnier Commun, Marronnier d'Inde, Marronnier des Chevaux, Pu, Spanish Chestnut, Venastat, Venostasin Retard, Venostat, White Chestnut.
Horse chestnut is a plant. Its seed, bark, flower, and leaves are used to make medicine. Be careful not to confuse aesculus hippocastanum (Horse chestnut) with aesculus californica (California buckeye) or aesculus glabra (Ohio buckeye). Some people call any of these plants horse chestnut. This information applies to aesculus hippocastanum.

Special Precautions of Horse Chestnut

• Horse chestnut contains significant amounts of a poison called esculin and can cause death if eaten raw.
• Horse chestnut is LIKELY SAFE for most people when a standardized seed extract product is used short-term. Standardized products have been tested to contain exact amounts of a verified chemical. Look for products which have had the toxic substance esculin removed. Horse chestnut products can sometimes cause side effects such as dizziness, headache, stomach upset, and itching.
• Pollen from the horse chestnut flower can cause allergic reactions. Rectal (suppository) use of horse chestnut may cause inflammation and itching in the anal area.
• Raw horse chestnut seed, bark, flower, and leaf are UNSAFE and can even cause death when taken by mouth. Signs of poisoning include stomach upset, kidney problems, muscle twitching, weakness, loss of coordination, enlarged eye pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, paralysis, and stupor. Accidental ingestion of horse chestnut requires prompt medical attention. Children have been poisoned by drinking a tea made from the leaves and twigs or eating seeds.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking the raw seed, bark, flower or leaf is UNSAFE and can lead to death. Not enough is known about the safety of using horse chestnut seed extract from which the poisonous esculin has been removed during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid using horse chestnut if you are pregnant or nursing.
• Diabetes: Horse chestnut might lower blood sugar. If you have diabetes, watch for signs of too low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and check your blood sugar carefully.
• Digestion problems: Horse chestnut seeds and bark can irritate the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Don’t use it if you have bowel or stomach disorders.
• Liver disease: There is one report of liver injury associated with using horse chestnut. If you have a liver condition, it’s best to avoid horse chestnut.
• Latex allergy: People who are allergic to latex might also be allergic to horse chestnut.
• Kidney disease: There is a concern that horse chestnut might make kidney disease worse. Don’t use it if you have kidney problems.
• Lithium interacts with Horse chestnut
• Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Horse chestnut
• Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Horse chestnut

The benefits of Horse Chestnut are

• Varicose veins and other circulatory problems (chronic venous insufficiency). Taking horse chestnut seed extract can reduce some symptoms of poor blood circulation, such as varicose veins, pain, tiredness, swelling in the legs, itching, and water retention.
• Hemorrhoids.
• Diarrhea.
• Fever.
• Cough.
• Enlarged prostate.
• Eczema.
• Menstrual pain.
• Soft tissue swelling from bone fracture and sprains, arthritis, joint pain, and other conditions.
• Cancer : Aescin (Escin) has antitumor effects.