How to prepare horse chestnut medicine at home?

In the arsenal of traditional medicine, there are many recipes for the fight against joint diseases - ointments and tinctures, rubs and compresses. And chestnuts in this list are not the last, but rather the leading one - we’ll talk about its use in folk medicine and effective recipes in the fight against joint diseases.

Chestnut as a medicinal plant

Horse chestnut (also called horse chestnut) is a deciduous tree, with an expanded crown, with large and complex, oppositely placed leaves, planted on long cuttings, 5 or 7 palmate. On average, a mature tree can reach 25 meters in height.

Chestnut blooms in May - the flowers are bell-shaped and bisexual, the color ranges from white to pale pink, with velvet edges.

In the period from September to October, the fruits ripen - these are tricuspid boxes, covered with thorns and round in shape, similar to nuts, each of which contains seeds. The seeds are flattened and shiny fruits, dark brown and gray in color.

The plant grows in broad-leaved forests, although it serves as a beautiful ornamental tree for landscaping park areas.

In medicine

Horse chestnut has also been used in medicine. Preparations based on it are widely sold in pharmacies in Russia. These include:

Aescusan drops. Thanks to the beneficial properties of its constituent components, the drug actively fights venous circulation disorders. Drops with horse chestnut are prescribed for hemorrhoids, initial forms of varicose veins, leg ulcers, cramps and swelling in the calf muscles. Aescusan should be taken according to the instructions - three times a day, 15 drops before meals. There are no specific contraindications. In rare cases, allergic reactions caused by hypersensitivity to the components of the drug are possible.
Esflazide is an analogue of Escusan, but in a more convenient tablet form. The main indications are hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis. The dosage is determined by the doctor individually. According to the instructions, in the first two days the drug is taken 1 tablet 1-2 times a day, then 3-4 times.
Wild chestnut extract is rich in active compounds that work well against swelling, varicose veins and restless legs syndrome. The drug normalizes blood pressure and regulates cholesterol levels in the blood, making it effective in the treatment of hypertension, atherosclerosis and thrombosis.
Ointments are effective for skin and varicose diseases. To produce them at home, horse chestnut flowers are used. 5 tbsp. l. dry raw materials are poured with half a liter of vegetable oil, then boiled for an hour in a water bath. The finished mixture is cooled, filtered and used for its intended purpose. Horse chestnut has a strong decongestant and venotonic effect. In combination with troxerutin it gives quick results.
Tinctures based on horse chestnut fruits are aimed at combating prostatitis, thrombosis, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. You can buy the finished product at a pharmacy or make it yourself. To do this you will need to grind 10 grams. horse nuts and pour 100 ml of vodka. Infuse the mixture for a week in complete darkness, shaking the solution periodically. According to the instructions, take the finished tincture 30 drops three times a day. The drug can be used for rubbing and as phytoapplications for rheumatism and radiculitis.
Common chestnut oil improves blood circulation, reduces capillary permeability, relieves leg fatigue and muscle tension. Apply with massaging movements to the lower limbs in the direction from the feet to the knees. The oil also improves complexion, soothes and tones. To achieve this effect, the skin must be wiped twice a day.

Before using medications, consult a doctor.

Medicinal properties of horse chestnut

For medicinal purposes, doctors and pharmacists, folk herbalists use the bark and flowers, leaves and, of course, chestnut fruits - the inflorescences are collected in May, the fruits in September-October, dried and then used in many ointments and tinctures.

Each part of the chestnut is rich in tannins and glycosides, fatty oils and vitamins, pectin substances - all of them, when used correctly, help to successfully cure many diseases.

What benefits can horse chestnut and its parts bring?

First of all, experts talk about the following beneficial properties of chestnut:

This is a powerful natural pain reliever and has a pronounced disinfecting effect , suppressing growth and development, the influence of pathogenic microflora.
Acts as a natural antiseptic and helps relieve inflammation.
When taken orally, it has a mild diuretic effect and thereby helps relieve pathological swelling.
They have a rejuvenating effect on the body.
Chestnut is the first remedy for strengthening the walls of blood vessels, and therefore products with it are often used for varicose veins.

Chestnut-based tinctures and teas have a diaphoretic and antipyretic effect.

Medicinal properties of chestnut (video)

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Fruits (seeds) of horse chestnut

The fruits are a real storehouse of useful components and microelements. They contain a small amount of fat and a large amount of carbohydrates and proteins. The fruits also contain about 60% starch, fiber, approximately 15% sugar, B vitamins and minerals such as iron, sodium, potassium, copper and phosphorus.

Horse chestnut leaves

Like any medicinal herb, the foliage has a number of medicinal properties , which allows the use of drugs based on it in the treatment of various vascular diseases, including varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, increased capillary fragility and various inflammatory processes of the veins.

Plant bark

Decoctions based on the bark are widely used in cases of chronic colitis and enterocolitis, as well as difficult-to-treat diarrhea and gastritis with increased acidity of gastric juice. also allows you to get rid of diseases of the spleen , treats bronchitis and various bleedings.

Chestnut flowers

Flowers are used to prepare decoctions, infusions or alcohol tinctures, which are excellent for treating heart disease, liver problems, pulmonary tuberculosis, shortness of breath, anemia and rheumatism. Alcohol tincture is excellent for treating arthrosis and relieving gout pain.

How and when to collect chestnuts?

It is recommended to collect chestnut blossoms in the month of May, during the period of active flowering of the tree - large inflorescences are selected, without visible damage or attack by insects. It is better to collect in the afternoon, when the dew has subsided and the flowers have fully opened.

The nuts are collected in September - October; if it is necessary to harvest the bark, it is collected in early spring. The buds are collected at the beginning of March and the leaves - preferably at the beginning of summer.

Chestnut nuts are harvested in the fall

Collection and preparation

All parts of trees, including horse chestnut flowers, are used for medicinal purposes. Below are recommendations on when it is best to collect raw materials for the manufacture of medicines:

Bark. Harvesting is done in March. The bark is carefully cut from young branches. It is then crushed and dried. Decoctions and infusions are prepared from the bark, which relieve pain and inflammation. Medicines made from it are effective in the treatment of gout, hemorrhoids, rheumatism and respiratory diseases.
Horse chestnut flowers are collected during active flowering (in May). Afterwards they are laid out in the sun for 1 day so that they wilt a little. Then put it in a well-ventilated room, or dry it in the fresh air in the shade. Flowers are usually infused with alcohol and taken to restore the vascular system and as a pain reliever for joints.
Leaves are collected in spring or early summer. They should be juicy and deep green. During the harvesting process they are washed and dried. Alcohol tinctures and decoctions are prepared from the leaves. Such medications are used for inflammation and suppuration.
Horse chestnut fruits fall in October, at which time they begin to be harvested. When making medicines, whole and crushed fruits are used. Healing tinctures and decoctions are prepared on their basis. Chestnut fruits have found application in restoring the functions of the digestive system, relieving joint pain, and normalizing the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.

Important!

It is better to collect medicinal raw materials in places far from the city and highways. This is where the most useful trees grow.

Contraindications

Many tinctures and teas, compresses with the addition of chestnut fruits and flowers are considered by many herbalists and traditional healers to be practically safe to use. But in some cases, experts say that it is necessary to take into account existing restrictions and contraindications.

Such contraindications are diseases and conditions:

The period of gestation and lactation.
Kidney failure and kidney problems.
Intestinal dysfunction.
Diagnosed tuberculosis and severe forms of anemia.
Low blood pressure.

Contraindications to the use of tincture

Despite its medicinal properties, chestnut fruit tincture also has contraindications:

individual intolerance;
hypotension (low blood pressure);
menstrual irregularities;
constipation;
renal failure;
pregnancy and lactation.

You can always buy chestnut fruits in the FitoContinent online store. Place your order by phone or directly on the website.

The use of chestnut in folk medicine

In folk and traditional medicine, chestnut has found its wide application - it is actively used in the treatment of the following diseases:

malaria and dysbacteriosis;
tuberculosis and bronchitis;
diarrhea and protrusion of hemorrhoids;
for leukemia and gallbladder diseases;
for sexual dysfunction and prostatitis;
ulcers, gastritis and increased acidity of the gastrointestinal tract;
with heavy and prolonged uterine bleeding and diseases of the vascular system;
arthritis and arthrosis, radiculitis;
with anemia and whooping cough;
heart pathology and inflammation of the muscle corset.

How is horse chestnut useful and for what diseases is it used?

Let us summarize the beneficial effects of the substances that make up chestnut. Plant preparations:

reduce viscosity, slow down blood clotting and prevent thrombosis (increase the production of antithrombin and prevent the formation of blood clots);
reduce the permeability of vascular walls;
accelerate blood flow;
dilate blood vessels and reduce blood pressure;
remove cholesterol;
activate venous blood flow;
prevent stasis in capillaries;
normalize the functioning of the kidneys and liver;
eliminate inflammation, swelling;
improve digestion, normalize the acidity of gastric juice and the secretory activity of the gallbladder;
reduce joint pain;
remove salts, harmful substances, and radionuclides from the body.

The use of horse chestnut is relevant for:

hypertension;
atherosclerosis;
increased blood clotting;
heart diseases;
inflammation and varicose veins;
venous stagnation;
vasospasm;
thrombophlebitis;
thromboembolism;
endarteritis;
trophic ulcers;
traumatic damage to blood vessels;
anemia;
hemorrhoids;
bleeding of any origin, including uterine;
pulmonary tuberculosis;
bronchitis;
shortness of breath;
bronchial asthma;
pneumonia;
whooping cough;
ARVI and acute respiratory infections;
diseases of the genitourinary system, gall bladder, spleen;
increased acidity of gastric juice;
gastritis and stomach ulcers (beyond exacerbation);
neuralgia;
rheumatoid arthritis;
radiculitis;
joint pain;
gout;
diarrhea;
prostate adenoma and prostatitis;
menopause;
malaria;
leukemia;
radiation sickness;
anemia;
muscle inflammation.

Most often, horse chestnut is used for healthy feet, however, as can be seen from the list above, the medicinal properties of the plant are much broader.

Chestnut medicine recipes

In the arsenal of traditional medicine and modern pharmaceuticals, there are many recipes using chestnut bark and inflorescences, fruits and leaves. There are many types of medicines you can prepare at home.

Chestnut tincture with vodka for joints

Recipe No. 1. To prepare this recipe you need:

take 600 gr. ground chestnut - the raw material is poured with a liter of vodka;
then infuse the resulting solution for 2 weeks in a dark, cool place;
After this period, the tincture is filtered through cheesecloth.

The finished product is taken 30-40 drops, dissolved in a glass of water after a meal, although it can also be used for external rubbing and compresses.

Recipe No. 2. To prepare the following vodka tincture:

take 2 tbsp. inflorescences with a slide and infuse them for 10 days in half a liter of vodka;
filter the infusion through cheesecloth or a fine strainer;
drink 30 drops 2-3 times a day, always after meals.

Alcohol tincture

Chestnut peel tincture also has excellent positive therapeutic results in the fight against joint diseases.

Recipe No. 1. Alcohol tincture can be made as follows:

it is enough to take 45-50 chestnut skins and split them;
then pour in half a liter of alcohol and leave for 2 weeks;
After straining, take 30 drops. half an hour before meals.

This tincture is also used for external rubbing.

Recipe No. 2. Another cooking method:

Ripe chestnuts are ground in a meat grinder and filled with alcohol in a glass container - 1 liter. alcohol base take 300 g. fruits;
leave in the refrigerator for a week;
After straining, drink 25 drops. 2 times a day after meals.

This tincture is especially effective for salt deposition in joints.

Chestnut decoction and tea

The simplest recipe for preparing a simple and effective remedy is an infusion or decoction in boiling water:

For this, take chestnut leaves and inflorescences - 50 grams is enough. dry raw materials, pour them into glasses of boiling water;
Having covered, let it brew for half an hour;
They drink half a glass of this tea in the morning and evening.

A more concentrated decoction can be obtained by preparing the following recipe:

For a glass of boiling water, also take 50 grams. dried inflorescences;
then boil them for 30 minutes in a water bath;
drink like tea, adding honey to taste.

Experts in traditional medicine recommend drinking a tincture or decoction of chestnut flowers every spring, while the chestnut tree is in bloom, for 2-3 weeks, since such products have a bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating effect on the body. In addition, in this way you can support weakened immunity.

Ointment for joints

For external use, ointments made using chestnut fruits and inflorescences have a positive therapeutic effect.

To prepare it take:

5 chestnut fruits, ground in a meat grinder or dried 5 tbsp. with a hill of inflorescences;
fill them with half a liter of vegetable, preferably unrefined, oil;
then boil in a water bath for an hour, allow to cool and filter.

You can also prepare an ointment based on lard:

Add 100 grams to half a kilo of melted pork fat. ground dried chestnuts;
then boil the mixture in a water bath for half an hour;
in this state they insist for a day;
This is repeated for 3 days, then filtered while warm.

Compress for joints for pain

Chestnut also has a pronounced analgesic effect - in this case, you can apply healing compresses to the joints.

Compress preparation process:

take chestnut bark and flowers - 5 tbsp each. l.;
pour the mixture with a glass of boiling water and leave for an hour;
then add another 300 ml of water and put it on the stove - when it boils, remove it from the heat;
Soak a napkin in this decoction and apply it to the sore joints for half an hour.

The following recipe for lotions is alcohol-based:

20 gr. chestnut colors pour a liter of alcohol onto the floor;
it is infused for 14 days;
The fabric is soaked in this solution, applied to the sore joints, wrapped in polyethylene and heat.

Chestnut joint rub

A chestnut-based rub for a sore joint is a real godsend.

At the same time, preparing it is simple:

first of all, the chestnuts are peeled and the white pulp is ground in a coffee grinder;
then take 3 tbsp. l. – they are poured with half a liter of vodka and left for at least 3 weeks;
after that it should be strained and used for external rubbing of the affected joint - it improves blood flow and metabolic processes, warms and relieves pain.

Medicines from horse chestnut flowers

To prepare medicine from chestnut inflorescences:

take 5 tbsp. l. inflorescences and infused in 250 ml of vodka or alcohol;
then leave in the refrigerator for ten days;
after straining, take 30-35 drops in the morning and evening 30-40 minutes before meals.

Another recipe using vegetable oil:

take 50 gr. dry chestnut inflorescences and fill them with 300 ml. any vegetable oil;
then the mass is boiled over low heat for half an hour;
After removing from the stove, cool to room temperature and, after straining, pour into a glass container.

This mixture not only helps with joint pain, but also does an excellent job of healing wounds and burns.

Chestnut tincture for varicose veins

First recipe:

grind the chestnut fruits and pour them into a glass container;
they are filled with vodka so that the liquid covers the raw material completely and plus a centimeter on top;
infuse for 3 weeks in the refrigerator and, after straining, use it externally for varicose veins.

To strengthen the walls of blood vessels from the inside, an alcoholic infusion of inflorescences and peeled chestnut fruits is prepared:

for this they take 25 grams. each component and pour 600 ml of vodka;
insist for 2 weeks;
Take this tincture 35-40 drops. 3-4 times a day.

Preparations in the pharmacy based on chestnut

Pharmacy products can be in the form of an extract, tincture or cream, and preparations are also available in tablets and Escusan drops, which help reduce capillary permeability and increase venous tone.

Such drugs have very high, proven effectiveness in combating the formation of blood clots and reduce inflammatory processes. The manufacturer's instructions recommend using the drops three times a day, fifteen or twenty drops. A very popular tablet form is produced under the name “Esflazide” and is an effective analogue of “Eskuzan ” drops.

Pharmaceutical medicines for joints with chestnut

Preparations for external use from chestnuts can be freely purchased at the pharmacy. But you should not choose them and use them yourself - it is important to agree on the choice and dosage regimen with your doctor.

IMPORTANT! The main thing is not to self-medicate and coordinate each choice of a particular drug with your doctor.

Liquid "Eskuzan" - chestnut and thiamine extract, tones the walls of blood vessels and has antioxidant properties, relieves inflammation and strengthens veins. Most often prescribed for chronic venous insufficiency, hemorrhoids and muscle pain, hematomas and ulcers, thrombophlebitis. The drug is supplied not only in the form of drops, but also tablets and ointments.
Venitan - cream and gel prepared from horse chestnut, has a beneficial effect on the condition of blood vessels, strengthening them, relieves pain and has an anti-inflammatory effect. The main thing is not to apply it to skin with open, fresh wounds.
Ginkor gel - contains extract of chestnut fruits, ginkgo biloba leaves, strengthens the walls of blood vessels and increases their tone, removing pathological swelling, stopping the inflammatory process. Suitable even for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Heparin ointment - reduces the level of blood clotting, and thereby preventing the formation of blood clots, accelerates metabolic processes in the walls of veins and blood vessels. Prescribed during pathological processes aggravated by trophic ulcers.

Aescusan liquid Ginkor gel Venitan gel Heparin ointment

Consumption of horse chestnut during pregnancy and for the treatment of children

It should be remembered that at the moment there is no scientific evidence of the negative effects of the active components of horse chestnut on the body of a pregnant woman and the fetus. However, experts recommend avoiding the use of such folk remedies and pharmacological drugs in the first trimester of pregnancy, as well as when treating preschool children.

Contraindications and possible harm

It will be useful for everyone to know not only about the benefits of the plant, but also about the contraindications of horse chestnut. Medicines and folk remedies have certain restrictions on their use. They are not recommended for:

decreased blood viscosity;
severe disorders of the liver and kidneys;
arterial hypotension;
inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract in the acute phase;
during pregnancy and lactation;
children.

External use of chestnut-based drugs is contraindicated in the presence of hypersensitivity to this product, as well as if there are open, infected and festering wounds that cannot be treated with medication.

Before using horse chestnut as a remedy, you should consult your doctor. Wearing compression stockings and doing therapeutic exercises will help enhance the therapeutic effect. During treatment, it is advisable to refrain from drinking alcohol, smoking, and eating fatty and spicy foods.

Eating horse chestnut may cause heartburn or nausea. If side effects occur, treatment should be stopped and blood prothrombin should be monitored.