Horse chestnut: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Horse chestnut, false chestnut, common horse chestnut
Scientific name(s)
Aesculus hippocastanum
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Tannins
Aescin
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Venous insufficiency ✪✪✪✪✪
Most clinical research suggests that the oral intake of horse-chestnut seed extract reduces the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).nnClinical research shows that taking 300 mg of horse-chestnut seed extract twice daily, or the intake of aescin, a constituent of horse-chestnut, at 50-75 mg twice daily for up to 12 weeks, can reduce some symptoms of CVI, such as varicose veins, pain, fatigue, heaviness, itching, edema, and leg swelling. nnThis supports its traditional use as a remedy for CVI and its associated symptoms. The ability of horse-chestnut to inhibit the catalytic degradation of capillary wall proteoglycans and to reduce inflammation is thought to be partly responsible for this effect.nn
Posologie
Oral: seed, buds
100 - 150 mg
Adults
gemmotherapy, standardized extract
Responsiveness of Human Varicose Saphenous Veins to Vasoactive Agents
Escin: A Review of Its Anti-Edematous, Anti-Inflammatory, and Venotonic Properties
Horse-chestnut Seed Extract for Chronic Venous Insufficiency. A Criteria-Based Systematic Review
Horse Chestnut Seed Extract for Chronic Venous Insufficiency
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
European Union herbal monograph on Aesculus hippocastanum L., semen
Hemorrhoids ✪✪✪✪✪
The horse chestnut is beneficial in the treatment of hemorrhoids, with its venotonic and anti-inflammatory properties. Horse chestnut is used topically for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Although there are not many studies on the effectiveness of horse chestnut in treating hemorrhoids, an oral treatment based on aescin can significantly improve symptoms according to a double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 72 volunteers with hemorrhoids. Indeed, an improvement in hemorrhoids was observed in 82% of subjects treated with horse chestnut versus 32% with placebo. Symptom improvement required at least 6 days of treatment to become established and the dose used was 40 mg of aescin three times a day.
Posologie
Orally and topically: seed, buds
120 mg
1 - weeks
gemmotherapy, standardized extract
Leg ulcer ✪✪✪✪✪
CVI (chronic venous insufficiency) is characterized by increased capillary permeability, inflammatory reactions, decreased lymphatic resorption, edema, and tissue malnutrition. Thus, CVI is a precursor to chronic venous leg ulceration. Horse chestnut increases venous tone by decreasing venous fragility and capillary permeability, and has anti-edema and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it improves microcirculation which may prevent ulceration. A triple-blind study of 54 patients with venous leg ulcers showed a significant improvement in the percentage of wound desquamation and the number of dressing changes, without a significant improvement in wound surface area, depth, volume, pain, and exudate. Larger-scale trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of horse chestnut in the treatment of leg ulcers.
Posologie
Oral: seed, buds
120 mg
gemmotherapy, standardized extract
Using horsechestnut seed extract in the treatment of venous leg ulcers: a cost-benefit analysis
Clinical efficacy of horsechestnut seed extract in the treatment of venous ulceration
Wrinkles ✪✪✪✪✪
A study of 40 healthy women tested the use of an eye gel containing 3% horse chestnut extract, which was applied around the eyes three times a day for 9 weeks. After 6 weeks, significant reductions in wrinkle scores at the outer corners of the eyes (crow's feet) or in the skin of the lower eyelid were observed compared with controls.
Posologie
Topical: seed
gel
Horse chestnut extract induces contraction force generation in fibroblasts through activation of Rho/Rho kinase
A horse chestnut extract, which induces contraction forces in fibroblasts, is a potent anti-aging ingredient
Varicose veins ✪✪✪✪✪
The European Medicines Agency recognizes the traditional use of horse chestnut in the treatment of symptoms related to venous insufficiency, such as heavy and swollen legs, varicose veins, pain, itching and calf cramps. Likewise, ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) recommends the use of horse chestnut for chronic venous disorders, including varicose veins.
Posologie
Oral, topical: seed, buds
50 mg
Gemmotherapy, standardized extract
Varicosities ✪✪✪✪✪
Horse chestnut extracts have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, as well as the ability to improve capillary fragility and reduce edema, making them a good candidate for use in topical cosmetic preparations.
Posologie
Oral, topical: seed, buds
50 mg
Gemmotherapy, standardized extract
Effects of Escins Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb From Horse Chestnut, the Seeds of Aesculus Hippocastanum L., on Acute Inflammation in Animals
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
European Union herbal monograph on Aesculus hippocastanum L., seed
Edema ✪✪✪✪✪
The effectiveness of horse chestnut in the treatment of lymphedema results from its anti-edematous properties as well as its influence on the tension of the walls of blood vessels.nn
Posologie
By oral and topical routes: seed, buds
50 mg
Gemmotherapy, standardized extract
Properties
Venotonic
Horse chestnut is effective in preventing excessive leakage of fluid from capillaries, which can cause swelling or edema. It works by preventing the degradation of proteoglycans, important components of the walls of blood capillaries. Animal studies have shown that horse chestnut seed extract can reduce edema caused by inflammation or lymphatic problems.
Usages associés
Microcirculatory effect
In vitro, aescin tightens veins and reduces capillary permeability induced by histamine or serotonin.
Usages associés
Antioxidant
The role of oxidative stress, an imbalance between antioxidants and oxidants in the body, is increasingly recognized as a key element of inflammatory processes. Studies have shown that horse chestnut seed extract can inhibit lipid peroxidation, a type of cellular damage, in a dose-dependent manner, both in enzyme-mediated reactions and in the absence of enzymes in in vitro experiments. In addition, this extract influences the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species depending on concentration, with notable effects even at very low doses.
Anti-inflammatory
Experimental research has shown that preventive use of aescin, an active component of horse chestnut, can reduce the production of IL-6, a substance involved in inflammation, by the cells of the blood vessel wall. nnFurthermore, animal studies have revealed that different forms of aescins, notably Ia, Ib, IIa and IIb, reduce the abnormal increase in capillary permeability caused by agents such as histamine, acetic acid, carrageenan and serotonin. nnOther research also suggests that aescin could effectively modify the cellular response in inflammatory processes, notably by influencing leukocyte activation.nn
Usages associés
Anti-aging
Several studies have revealed that horse chestnut extract can stimulate fibroblasts, cells that play a key role in skin structure, by inducing the formation of stress fibers. This process involves activation of the Rho protein and Rho kinase, essential elements in regulating cell shape and movement, acting on the cytoskeleton. nnThese findings suggest that horse chestnut extract could act as an anti-aging factor by influencing the cellular structure of the skin.nn
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adults 18 years and older: 50 mg - 200 mg
Horse chestnut extract is often standardized to contain 16% to 20% triterpenic glycosides (saponins), which is referred to as the aescin content.nnFor chronic venous insufficiency, a product standardized to 50-100 mg of aescin twice a day has been used. The dose can be reduced to a maintenance dose of 50 mg of aescin once daily after 8 weeks.nn
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulants: moderate interaction
Horse chestnut may have antiplatelet effects. Theoretically, taking horse chestnut with other antiplatelet drugs or anticoagulants could increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Antidiabetic: minor interaction
Because of a possible hypoglycemic effect, blood glucose should be monitored when horse chestnut and hypoglycemic agents are used at the same time.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
There is not enough reliable information available on the safety of using horse chestnut seed extract during pregnancy and breastfeeding.nn
Breastfeeding women: avoid
There is not enough reliable information available on the safety of using horse chestnut seed extract during pregnancy and breastfeeding.nn
Bleeding disorders: avoid
Horse chestnut may have antiplatelet effects. Theoretically, taking horse chestnut could increase the risk of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.nn
Renal insufficiency: avoid
Toxic nephropathy has been reported after use of horse chestnut.nn
Hepatic impairment: avoid
A liver injury associated with horse chestnut has been reported.nn
Contraindications
Children up to 18 years: prohibited
Use is contraindicated for children.nn
Surgical intervention: prohibited
The horse chestnut may have antiplatelet effects. Theoretically, horse chestnut could increase the risk of excessive bleeding if used before surgery. It is recommended to stop using horse chestnut at least 2 weeks before surgical procedures.
