Horse chestnut is a tree widely distributed in Central Europe. Seeds as well as leaves and flowers, buds and bark are used for the production of medicinal drugs and cosmetic products. The classic applications include venous insufficiency with its pronounced symptoms, hemorrhoids and swellings, and inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Occurrence and cultivation of horse chestnut
In autumn, the fruits, also known as chestnuts, have matured in their green and spiny cover to the point where they detach from the tree due to natural gravity and fall to the ground. The horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is a deciduous tree that flowers from April to June and botanically belongs to the soap tree family. The tree species, which grows up to 30 meters tall when fully grown, can be recognized by its distinctive five-toothed and finger-shaped leaves and white flowers, which acquire a red spot after pollination. In the fall, the fruits, also known as chestnuts, have ripened in their green and spiny covering to the point where natural gravity causes them to detach from the tree and fall to the ground. The brown, smooth chestnuts usually hatch from the burst wrapper as a result of the impact: they are the seeds of the horse chestnut. Chestnut trees originated in the Balkans and were brought to all of Central Europe via Istanbul (then Constantinople) in the 16th century, where they are planted along streets and avenues, in parks and beer gardens, but also live as feral varieties. Because of its many medicinal effects, the horse chestnut was named medicinal plant of the year in 2008.
Effect and application
The horse chestnut is offered – depending on its intended use – in a variety of different forms of application. Used for this purpose, on the one hand, the dark brown seeds of the plant, but also the leaves or flowers and the bark of the tree. The typical form of administration is as a liquid extract or tincture, in which the dry extract of the medicinal plant is mixed with a certain proportion of water or alcohol. Depending on their mixing ratio, the liquids can be used both internally (by ingestion) and externally (for example, by rubbing). A typical medicinal preparation of horse chestnut is also the decoction: Here, the medicinal plant is prepared in water at different temperatures and then brought to a boil. The resulting liquid is used as a bath for certain parts of the body, as a rinse or for poultices. A medicinal tea preparation can also be made from the leaves of horse chestnut. Those who make the tea from chestnut leaves collected by themselves, make sure that the leaves are not infested with pests. In phytotherapy, the dry extract of the seed is also often used for internal application. Dragees with horse chestnut extract are also among the typical medicinal products. Besides the classic tinctures, there are also ointments with chestnut addition. For special body areas, some special dosage forms can be found: The product range here extends from mouth rinses to foot baths or bath additives to healing-promoting products for the scalp. In addition to medicinal products, chestnut has also become a traditional classic for the field of natural cosmetics. For the external treatment of various parts of the body, horse chestnut is also used as an additive in ointments or creams. Alternative medical preparations also make use of the natural healing power of the horse chestnut: for example, in homeopathy the chestnut is found in potentized form in globules and is a proven remedy in Bach flower therapy. White Chestnut is produced from the flower of the horse chestnut, Chestnut Bud, on the other hand, from the bud of the medicinal plant.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
The active ingredients of the horse chestnut are used for numerous medically relevant diseases and ailments, but its main area of application is venous disorders. This is mainly due to the ingredient aescin, which has an anti-inflammatory and draining effect. It has been proven to strengthen the vessels and counteract blood clotting, so that horse chestnut can also be used effectively for the prophylaxis of leg vein thrombosis due to its abilities to accelerate blood flow in the vein.An example of preventive application is the rubbing of the legs before long flights, which can prevent edema, i.e. fluid accumulation, in the leg area. Classic areas of application with regard to therapy-accompanying support are varicose veins and circulatory disorders. In the case of swollen extremities, especially the water retention in the area of the ankles, which is characteristic of venous disorders, aescin drains the affected tissue. This reduces the swelling and can also help against other typical symptoms of venous weakness, such as a feeling of heaviness in the legs, cramps in the calves or itching. If inflammatory skin changes have already occurred due to venous insufficiency, a poultice with the extract of horse chestnut alleviates the associated discomfort. Horse chestnut is also a natural remedy for hemorrhoids due to its antibacterial and decongestant effects on the skin and blood vessels. Another field of application is the treatment of swellings or bruises caused by accidents or operations. In the context of internal use, preparations with horse chestnut are used for various clinical pictures in the internal or gynecological field, which are accompanied by inflammation or bleeding. Typical examples are inflammations or ulcerations in the area of stomach and duodenum or bleeding in the area of uterus. In the naturopathic field, horse chestnut is also used for psychological problems. For example, in Bach flower therapy, White Chestnut is given for obsessive thinking patterns, while the bud of the horse chestnut, Chestnut Bud, is used for learning disorders. The homeopathic remedy Aesculus is also used as part of stabilizing the circulatory system, in addition to a variety of the conditions described above, such as venous disorders, hemorrhoids, and ulcers.
