Synonyms in a broader sense
Latin name: Aesculus hippocastanum Genus: Horse chestnut plants Folk names: Foppkastanie, sow chestnut, horse chestnut, white chestnut, gout tree, wild chestnuts
History
The original home of the horse chestnut is the Balkans or Near East. Only in the 16th century the first trees were discovered in Greece and later in Vienna. Since the fruits of the horse chestnut were only used to feed horses, this is how it got its name.
The chestnuts are not edible for humans. The medicinal properties of the Horse Chestnut were first reported by a French doctor in 1896. The active ingredient was successfully used to treat hemorrhoids.
In folk medicine, the bark was formerly used to treat fever and malaria. The horse chestnut leaves were also used to make a cough tea. Folk belief also said that one should carry some chestnuts in one’s trouser pocket to avoid gout and rheumatism.
The medicinal plant horse chestnut belongs to the Hippocastanaceae family. It is a deciduous tree with dense foliage and can grow up to 35 m tall. Chestnuts are well known and widely used in parks and gardens.
In spring, from April to June, the branches carry thick, conical, white buds, also called “candles”. The leaves consist of five to seven fingers. In September, the spherical, shiny brown seeds of the horse chestnut ripen in yellow-green, prickly capsules and, when they are ripe, spring out of their shells. The seeds of the horse chestnut are not suitable for consumption.
Medicinally used plant parts
Mainly the seeds, rarely also the flowers, the leaves and the bark.
Ingredients
Aesculus saponins (aescin), tanning agents
Therapy and application areas
Extracts of horse chestnut seeds are used for medical purposes, especially for the treatment of leg vein problems. The aescin contained in the medicinal plant Horse Chestnut increases the venous tone and the flow rate of the blood, thus preventing the formation of edema (water accumulation in the tissue). Pain and heaviness in the legs can be alleviated.
There is scientific evidence of the use of horse chestnut seed extracts in chronic venous diseases such as: The active ingredient seals the vessel walls. Less fluid can accumulate in the surrounding tissue and thus lead to problems. After two weeks, it is possible that the circumference of the feet and lower leg has reduced after taking horse chestnut seed. Horse chestnut seed is not effective in cases of congestion of the lymphatic system or heart failure (cardiac insufficiency).
- Varicose Veins
- Swelling
- Muscle cramps
- Itching or
- Pain.