Horse Chestnut

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus Hippocastanum)“Without question, Aesculus is the most important herbal treatment in the dispensary for the treatment of varicose veins and the complications that may occur because of them such as leg ulcers and phlebitis”.

Name: Aesculus hippocastanum. Horse Chestnut.

Parts used: The seed (the conker!)

The important active chemicals in Aesculus can be classified into 2 broad groups:

1. A group of over thirty saponins that are collectively known as Aescin.
2. Flavonoids.

How does Aesculus work?

Varicose veins form when the valves in them become incompetent. It is thought that faulty valves are an inherited weakness. Faulty valves allow the blood to flow backwards causing tissue swelling and bloated, distorted veins.

The possible complications of varicose veins are leg ulcers, a type of eczema and phlebitis (inflammation of the vein). The most dangerous possible complication though is the formation of the DVT (deep vein thrombosis).

Aesculus is absolutely specific for treating varicose veins and slowing the process that leads to them. It is also excellent in the treatment of the long-term complications of varicose veins.

  1. Aesculus decreases the permeability of the blood vessels and thus stops fluid leaking into the tissues.
  2. Aesculus strengthens the walls of blood vessels.
  3. Aesculus increases the tone of veins and causes the valves to contract.
  4. Aesculus has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Aesculus reduces ankle and foot swelling.

Clinical trials show Aesculus consistently helps to reduce foot and ankle swelling and improves lymphatic drainage of the tissues.

Aesculus is also effective in the treatment of the varicose veins and leg swelling that can occur during pregnancy.

The anti-swelling effect is good for more than just varicose veins.

Clinical trials have shown that Aesculus is also capable of reducing the swelling that occurs with bruising and haematomas, surgical wounds, sports injuries, fragile capillaries, keloids, air travel, stretch marks, piles/haemorrhoids and episiotomy wounds, swelling of the brain that accompanies head trauma, meningitis, encephalitis and fluid build up that occurs in the pleural cavity with pleurisy,
This is also good for patients with tissue swelling due to removal of lymph glands, such as after mastectomy.

Aesculus strengthens the walls of veins.

Aesculus strengthens the walls of the veins. The second major group of chemicals in Aesculus, the flavonoids, are well known for their blood vessel strengthening effects.

Aesculus tones up the veins.

Stronger veins have more tone, they are more capable of ‘pushing the blood around’ effectively and retain their normal shape. Aesculus is capable of inducing contraction in the veins and the valves themselves, a very important action in keeping the blood moving. Making the valves work more efficiently gets to the root cause of varicose veins.

Clinical trials prove the efficacy of Aesculus.

In Germany, where aescin is a prescription drug, a trial was run by G.P’s using 5000 varicose vein patients. Results showed that patients reported an overall and persistent improvement, and in some cases, total resolution of one or more of the symptoms due to the veins such as ache, tiredness, tension, cramps, swelling, itching and heavy sensations.

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