Horse chestnut medicinal properties and contraindications

The medicinal properties of chestnut are due to the bioflavonoids it contains. These substances are present in the bark, leaves and in the nuts themselves. It is useful for people who intend to use horse chestnut for medicinal purposes to know not only about contraindications, but also that the plant is effective as a vascular strengthening, venotonic and angioprotective agent.

What it looks like and where it grows

Common horse chestnut (English name Horse Chestnut) belongs to the Sapindaceae family. Its homeland is considered to be the southern Balkans. Horse chestnut also grows in Russia, where, as a wild plant, it coexists with ash, linden and other trees. Distributed mainly in the temperate climate zone. Many of its species are bred everywhere in parks. A favorite is the red horse chestnut.

The biological description of horse chestnut (also called horse chestnut) is as follows:

1. A large deciduous tree reaching a height of 35 meters.
2. It has a powerful root system and a spherical or broadly ovoid spreading crown.
3. The trunk is of regular cylindrical shape.
4. The leaves are large, palmately compound, up to 30 cm in length.
5. Inflorescences in the form of erect panicles formed by 20-50 white-yellow flowers.
6. The fruits of the chestnut are spherical in shape with numerous spines. Inside them are 3 flattened seeds up to 2-4 cm in diameter. Ripen in early autumn.

When growing a tree, you need to be patient. This is a very long process. It takes approximately 20-40 years for a horse chestnut to grow and reach its maximum height.

Characteristics of wood

Horse chestnut is a long-lived and fairly large tree that typically reaches a height of about 25 m and bears fruit for an average of 45 years. Its flowers look like candles, which is why chestnuts decorate alleys, parks, streets and squares everywhere.

The trees bloom from May to June; they bloom with large flowers, which are collected in cone-shaped inflorescences. The unripe fruits, which appear in August-October, have the maximum healing properties. These are small three-leaf boxes that are covered with spikes. Ripe chestnuts are brown, while unripe ones are bright green.

Why is the chestnut called horse chestnut?

Since the genus Chestnut includes over 10 different plants, horse chestnut, according to one version, was named so as to distinguish it as a fodder species grown for the treatment of horses. The tree was popularly nicknamed chestnut for its striking resemblance to the fruits of the edible chestnut, and only experts could find the differences. There is another version according to which the plant is called so because of the presence of scars resembling a horse's shoe on the shoots after leaf fall.

The fruits of this plant are inedible, so the answer to the question whether horse chestnut can be eaten is sharply negative. All its parts contain the toxic substance esculin. Eating nuts can cause irreparable harm to the body. However, horse chestnut also has beneficial properties, thanks to which it has won its place in the pharmacopoeia.

Reviews

Alexey, 41 years old I tried to treat sore joints with chestnut tincture. I took it according to the regimen indicated in the instructions. There were no side effects, which I was very happy about. As for the effect of the folk remedy, I was never able to evaluate it. After 2 weeks of treatment, no positive changes occurred.

Katerina, 39 years old, my mother told me about the beneficial properties of chestnut for joints. I decided to take a tincture of the fruits of this tree to supplement the treatment prescribed by the doctor. After completing the course I noticed a decrease in swelling. The joints themselves no longer hurt very much, so I can say that the folk remedy does its job well.

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Benefits of the plant

Horse chestnut, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which are determined by its unique composition, is used:

1. As a hemostatic, diuretic, wound-healing, analgesic, antioxidant agent;
2. For varicose veins, impaired water-salt balance, for the treatment of swelling and inflammation;
3. To reduce blood pressure and cholesterol in the blood;
4. To normalize the acidity of gastric juice.

Horse chestnut bark contains a large amount of vitamins C, B1, and tannins, which is why it is often used as an antipyretic and astringent.

Peeled chestnut fruits, also called horse chestnut, contain starch and tannins and are rich in coumarins (esculin, fraxin, aescin). Fresh kernels are used for persistent diarrhea, and fried ones for bleeding. Dried fruits are good for colds as a diuretic and diaphoretic.

The foliage of the common chestnut is rich in pectins, carotenoids and glycosides. As part of folk remedies, it has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.

Read also: Chestnuts: benefits and harms

Wild chestnut flowers contain mucous and pectin compounds and secrete flavonoids. Used for local rubbing in the treatment of joint pain. Flower-based infusions are used in complex therapy to combat hemorrhoids, skin diseases, prostatitis and radiation sickness.

Useful videos

We make a tincture of chestnuts - the best remedy for strengthening blood vessels: What is the benefit of chestnut infusion, how to prepare it yourself with vodka and water, see: How to make a medicinal tincture of chestnut flowers, for rubbing varicose veins, as well as for taking orally, see recipes: How to treat varicose veins with horse chestnut, homemade tincture recipe: We will welcome any feedback with information about the medicinal properties of horse chestnut. May it benefit as many people as possible! And we will be grateful to you for any new interesting information that you consider it possible to share.

In cosmetology

Due to the tannin content, horse chestnut has found application in modern cosmetology. Folk remedies based on it relieve swelling, minimize blood clots and treat skin diseases. Cosmetic products improve complexion, reduce cellulite, prevent early signs of skin aging and fight hair loss.

Antioxidant properties allow the use of chestnut parts in the production of anti-aging cosmetics. Such products improve skin by producing collagen. Horse chestnut fruits are included in anti-cellulite products; due to their effect, swelling is reduced, the skin is smoothed and toned.

Healing qualities

Chestnut bark has the following substances:

1. Organic acids, which are important for maintaining acid-base balance, accelerating regeneration and slowing down cell aging.
2. Glycosides to stimulate metabolism, regulate carbohydrate and salt metabolism. These substances of plant origin help to activate the functioning of various body systems, acting as a catalyst.
3. Tannins that have antiseptic and healing effects on small wounds.

In medicine

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.

Ointments

A variety of preparations based on horse chestnut are creams and ointments used as an external means of eliminating varicose veins. Making ointment at home is not at all difficult. Below are the most popular recipes for making ointments:

• Grind five chestnut fruits, add 5 tablespoons of flowers to them. Pour 0.5 liters of oil into this mixture. Boil the resulting substance in a water bath for about 2 hours. Later you need to strain it and let it cool. Keep the ointment in the refrigerator;
• Pour the crushed flowers of the plant with oil and leave in a cool place for a while. Next, boil the mixture using a water bath. Store the strained substance in the refrigerator.

Preparation of the ointment allows the use of absolutely any oil: almond, vegetable, olive, peach or some other. Rub the ointment into the places where pain is felt three times a day. Thanks to chestnut ointments, you can eliminate inflammation, soothe the skin and swelling on the legs. The ointment can be stored for no more than 14 days.

Folk recipes

Flowers, fruits and their peels are used to prepare medicinal infusions. These parts contain the largest amount of substances useful for the circulatory system. To prepare medicines using chestnut, it is recommended to use the following recipes:

1. Infusion of chestnut flowers. 1 tbsp. l. dry raw materials and 200 ml of water bring to a boil. Leave for 7 hours. Take sips throughout the day. You can drink 1-1.5 liters per day. Useful for brain tumors, mastopathy, endarteritis, hemorrhoids, lesions of the venous vessels caused by various injuries.
2. Flower tincture. Pour vodka over the plant material in a ratio of 1 to 10. Place the container in a dark place. Leave for 2-3 weeks, shaking the contents occasionally. Strain the finished medicine. Take 30 drops 3-4 times a day.
3. Peel decoction. Pour 250 ml of hot water over the green shells of two chestnut fruits. Place on low heat and cook for 10 minutes. Cool to a comfortable temperature and drink 100 ml twice a day to improve potency (in the morning and evening).
4. Tincture of horse chestnut fruit. The main indications are gout, arthritis, rheumatism and osteochondrosis. To prepare, you should take 1 kg of nuts (more is possible). Grind in any convenient way (blender, meat grinder). Pour into a jar and fill with 1 liter of vodka. Place in a dark place and leave for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain the finished tincture and store in a cool place. Take 40 drops diluted in water after meals. The same medicine can be used to rub problem joints.

Chestnut kvass to improve health

• Chestnut fruits - 25 pieces
• Water - 2.5 l
• Sugar - 1 glass
• Whey (can be replaced with sour cream) - 1 cup

Cut the nuts into two parts and, together with a small stone (it will serve as a weight), place them in a gauze bag. Place the bag at the bottom of the jar and fill it with boiled water, previously cooled. Add sugar and whey. Cover the jar with gauze, folding it in thirds. Place in a dark and warm place for fermentation for 2 weeks.

Filter the kvass, and refill the remaining fruits with water, adding sugar. This time the drink will be ready within a day.

You can use the starter for several months, but it is advisable to add 3-4 new chestnuts 2 times a month.

Drink 2 glasses of kvass a day for a month. It cleanses the body of toxins, heavy metals and radionuclides, accelerates the regeneration of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, and provides the body with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. In addition, the drink has a pleasant taste and quenches thirst well.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Description

Characteristic:

Motherwort herb is the collected and dried herb of the wild and cultivated perennial herbaceous plant Leonurus cardiaca L. (L. cardiaca L. subsp. villosus (Desf.)) Jav. and five-lobed motherwort - Leonurus quinquelobatus Gilib., family. Lamiaceae (Lamiaceae) - medicinal plant materials. Whole raw materials - the upper parts of stems up to 40 cm long with flowers and leaves (hand-harvested grass) or pieces of stems, leaves and inflorescences (mechanically harvested grass). The color of the stems is grayish-green, the leaves are dark green, the sepals are green, and the corollas are dirty pink or pinkish-violet. The smell is weak. The taste is bitter. Crushed raw materials are pieces of stems, leaves and inflorescences passing through a sieve with holes 7 mm in diameter. The color is grayish-green, the smell is weak, the taste is bitter. Whole and crushed raw materials (humidity no more than 13%) contain extractive substances (extractable with 70% alcohol) no less than 15%, total ash no more than 12%; ash, insoluble in a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid, no more than 6%; blackened, browned and yellowed parts of plants no more than 7%; stems, incl. separated during analysis, no more than 46%, organic impurities no more than 3%, mineral impurities no more than 1%. The crushed raw material, in addition, contains particles that do not pass through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 7 mm, no more than 17%, particles passing through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 0.5 mm, no more than 16%. The main active ingredients of motherwort herb are flavonoid glycosides (rutin, quinqueloside, cosmosin, quercitrin, hyperoside, quercimeritrin, etc.), alkaloids (stahydrine - 0.4%, choline, leonurin), saponins, tannins (about 2%) and iridoids. monoterpenes (leonuride), ascorbic acid (leaves contain 23.6-65.3 mg%), diterpene bitterness (leocardine), traces of essential oil (about 0.03%), mineral salts. It is used in the form of infusion, liquid extract and tincture (1:5 in 70% alcohol - a transparent greenish-brown liquid with a bitter taste and faint odor). Included in soothing tea.

Indications for use

Considering the beneficial properties of horse chestnut, medicines based on it are used for the following diseases and conditions:

1. Varicose veins The disease provokes abnormal changes in the veins, which leads to the appearance of nodes. The pathology most often affects the lower extremities, but the gastrointestinal tract and testes are also susceptible to it. The composition of horse chestnut helps thin the blood, prevents the formation of blood clots, and strengthens the walls of blood vessels and veins.
2. Diseases of the ENT organs and respiratory system. For sinusitis, the procedure of rinsing the nose is effective. The decoction has a pronounced antiseptic property, making it also recommended for gargling and mouthwash. Horse chestnut eliminates cough and makes breathing easier during influenza and ARVI.
3. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Thanks to its unique composition, horse chestnut restores the functioning of the digestive system and relieves inflammation. Decoctions are effective for problems with the spleen, liver, pancreas, as well as for gastritis with a high level of acidity.
4. Dysfunctions of the cardiovascular system. Horse chestnut is included in medications intended to combat atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, cholesterol, thrombophlebitis, and cardiac disorders.
5. Sore muscles and joints. In this case, dosage forms for external use are used. Infusions and tinctures are rubbed into problem areas for arthritis and rheumatism.
6. Women's problems. The plant improves blood clotting and stops bleeding. For inflammation in the intimate area, chestnut baths are recommended.
7. Male diseases. Decoctions and medicines based on horse chestnut help with inflammation in the prostate gland, as well as with varicocele.

Pharmacy drugs

Horse chestnut has a tremendous healing effect in the fight against varicose veins. It is for this reason that it is used in the production of pharmacological agents that are designed to eliminate this pathology. The most popular of them are:

• Gel Venitan.
• Aescusan.
• Escisan.
• Rectactive.
• Herbion Esculus.

These products are designed to help correct blood circulation and keep veins toned.

It is worth noting that these medications will not completely eliminate the disease if a blood clot has already formed in the vein, but they will improve the patient’s overall condition. In addition, they can be used as a preventive measure.

The use of one or another method in the fight against varicose veins should be agreed with a doctor. It is recommended to take care of the health of your feet from a young age and prevent thrombophlebitis from developing.

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.

Precautionary measures

Despite the fact that chestnut products are natural, in a number of cases their use is prohibited:

• Failure of the menstrual cycle.
• Pregnancy, lactation.
• Arterial hypotension.
• Constipation caused by weak bowel movements.
• Inflammation of the stomach due to low acidity.
• Increased bleeding due to a decrease in the level of platelets in the blood.
• Functional kidney failure.
• Diabetes.
• Severe pathologies of the heart and liver.
• Epileptic seizures.
• Episodic or regular painful headaches.
• Allergic reaction to the components of the drug.

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It is not recommended to use chestnut-based products during pregnancy.

It is prohibited to use chestnut products to treat children. Before using them, you should consult your pediatrician.

Carefully. Before and during joint therapy with chestnut, the blood should be tested for prothrombin (blood clotting factor)

If the indicator is below normal (from 78 to 142% according to Quick), then therapy should be stopped. Otherwise, the likelihood of severe hemorrhages increases.

During treatment, the likelihood of an allergic rash, itching, breathing problems, and swelling of the oral mucosa increases. After internal use of tinctures or decoctions, digestive disorders, cephalalgia, and dizziness may occur. If such symptoms occur, stop treatment and consult a doctor.

Reference. Chestnut products may enter into chemical reactions with other drugs. It is forbidden to ingest raw fruits, bark or inflorescences, as there is a risk of negative reactions. If they do get inside, you should rinse your stomach.

Top dressing

Fertilizers must be applied regularly, especially during the first time after planting. But it is important to ensure that there is no excess of nutrients. After replanting the plant, you can add superphosphate, ash, and humus.

In the summer, use complex mineral supplements every month.

Thus, horse chestnut is a medicinal plant used for medicinal purposes, as well as in the manufacture of cosmetics. The fruits of the crop are not eaten.

Properties

The healing effect of chestnut flowers is due to the presence of flavonoids in it, which:

• reduce capillary permeability;
• increase blood clotting;
• lower blood pressure.

• thins the blood;
• has a venotonic effect;
• relieves swelling;
• stimulates the release of adrenal hormones.