What is horse chestnut supplement used for?
Today, horse chestnut seed extract is promoted for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI; poor blood flow in the veins of the legs, which may lead to leg pain, swelling, itchiness, and other symptoms), irritable bowel syndrome, male infertility, and other conditions. They act as an astringent to tighten and tone veins. They also act as an anti-inflammatory, improve blood flow back to the heart, and can reduce leakiness of capillaries and tissue swelling. Horse chestnut can also help relieve symptoms such as tired, heavy legs, aching, painful legs, cramping legs and swollen ankles.Horse chestnut has remained one of the most popular varicose vein remedies due to its active ingredient, Aescin. It boasts a wide range of benefits for your veins, such as minimizing swelling, shrinking blood vessels, thinning blood, increasing circulation, and reducing your risk of developing blood clots.Chestnuts may cause allergic reactions (hives, itching, swelling), digestive issues from high fiber content (gas, bloating), and serious toxicity if horse chestnuts are consumed raw. horse chestnut extracts used for varicose veins may cause dizziness, headaches, and gastrointestinal upset.Horse chestnut is commonly available as a standardized seed extract in the form of capsules, tablets, topical creams/gels, and liquid extracts. Most of the evidence supports using oral capsule formulations containing 16% to 20% of aescin (its main active ingredient).Unprocessed horse chestnut seeds contain a toxin called esculin (also spelled aesculin). This toxin may increase the risk of bleeding due to its ability to prevent blood clots from forming.
Who cannot take horse chestnuts?
If you have a liver condition, it is best to avoid horse chestnut. Latex allergy: People who are allergic to latex might also be allergic to horse chestnut. Kidney disease: There is a concern that horse chestnut might make kidney disease worse. Do not use it if you have kidney problems. Horse chestnut is a herb used in dietary supplements primarily for complications of venous insufficiency. Clinically significant acute liver injury has been very rarely associated with its use.Based on reports of worsening kidney function in people with kidney disease who received intravenous aescin, horse chestnut should be avoided by anyone with kidney disease. People with liver disease should also avoid the use of horse chestnut. There are no known reasons to avoid horse chestnut during pregnancy.
Can I take horse chestnut daily?
The most common dosage of horse chestnut is 300 mg twice daily, standardized to contain 50 mg aescin per dose, for a total daily dose of 100 mg aescin. Horse chestnut preparations should certify that a toxic constituent called esculin has been removed. Its primary active compound, aescin, has been extensively studied for its beneficial effects on the circulatory system. Horse Chestnut is most often used for Cardiovascular Health. The Examine Database covers Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Hemorrhoids.Scientific studies highlight the potential of Horse Chestnut Extract as a formidable anti-aging and restorative agent. Research published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science identified it as a potent anti-aging ingredient due to its ability to induce contraction forces in fibroblast cells.
Is horse chestnut hard on the liver?
Horse chestnut is a herb used in dietary supplements primarily for complications of venous insufficiency. Clinically significant acute liver injury has been very rarely associated with its use. Taking 300 mg of standardized horse chestnut seed extract by mouth can reduce some symptoms of poor blood circulation, such as varicose veins, pain, tiredness, swelling in the legs, itching, and water retention. But it might be less effective than maritime pine bark for reducing leg swelling and cramps.Horse chestnut extract appears to impair the action of platelets (important components of blood clotting). It also inhibits a range of chemicals in the blood, including cyclo-oxygenase, lipoxygenase and a range of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. These effects result in reduced inflammation and reduced blood pressure.Overall, the trials suggested an improvement in the symptoms of leg pain, oedema and pruritus with horse chestnut seed extract when taken as capsules over two to 16 weeks. Six placebo‐controlled studies (543 participants) reported a clear reduction of leg pain when the herbal extract was compared with placebo.A 2012 systematic review of 17 studies suggested that horse chestnut seed extract can improve symptoms of CVI. Results from one of these studies suggested that horse chestnut seed extract may be as effective as wearing compression stockings.