Horse Chestnut Profile
Also known as
Also known as- Aesculus hippocastanum, Buckeye, and Common Horse Chest-Nut.
Introduction
The horse chestnut tree grows 80 feet (25 meters) tall with leaves in clusters of 5 to 7 and white flower spikes growing at the ends of its branches. The name of the tree has many stories associated with it, but no real consensus has been reached. When the tree was brought to Britain in 1616 from the Balkans, it was called horse chestnut because the Turks would feed the seeds to their ailing horses. The tree is chiefly grown nowadays for ornamental purposes, in towns and private gardens and in parks, and along streets. The horse chestnut plant is not related to the edible chestnut, which is actually part of the oak family. Horse chestnut is relatively new to the U.S. herbal products market. However, it is gaining popularity because of numerous clinical studies done in Germany since the 1960's showing that it is safe and effective for treating varicose veins, inadequate vein strength, and related disorders. Currently, it is the third best selling herbal product in Germany behind Ginkgo and St Johns Wort.
Constituents
Bark: coumarins, fraxin, scopolin, aesculetin, quercetin, sterols, tannins, and saponins. Leaf: coumadins, aesculin, scopolin, fraxin, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, rutin.
Parts Used
Whole nuts (used to make herbal extracts and infusions for balms and creams)
Typical Preparations
Traditionally the leaves and bark are used as a tea, and can also be used to make tinctures, creams, and infusions. The whole nut is preferable over the leaf and bark when it is to be used for external applications. Sometimes the leaf and bark are combined with other herbs to make cough syrups. The whole nuts are poisonous and are only to be used for external application, unless by a qualified practitioner.
Summary
Horse Chestnut has been traditionally used to make a tea to treat diarrhea or hemorrhoids. Horse chestnut leaf has been traditionally used to make teas to strengthen varicose veins or to treat chronic coughs with congestion.
Precautions
The whole nuts are not for internal use, unless administered by a qualified practitioner. Not recommended while pregnant. Not to be applied to broken or abraded skin.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
