Aesculus hippocastanum

 

Common Name: Horse chestnut

Family: Hippocastanacea (Horse chestnut family)

Parts used: Seed (fruit) and bark

Constituents: Saponins (aescin), coumarins (esculin), flavonoids

Taste/smell: Bitter, slightly acrid

Actions

  • Venotonic

  • Inflammation-modulating

  • Astringent (contracts veins)

  • Anti-exudative

  • Anti-edematous

  • Anti-inflammatory

  • Antispasmodic

Uses

Venotonic:

  • Bruises

  • Thrombophlebitis

  • Varicose veins

  • Hemorrhoids

  • Chronic venous insufficiency

  • Capillary fragility

Anti-edematous:

  • Edema

Contraindications

  • Long-term use of high doses

Adverse Effects

  • Nausea occasionally occurs from crude plant extracts

Toxicity

  • Unprocessed fruits are highly toxic

  • IM injections of isolated saponin aescin may cause hepatitis and renal failure

Interactions

  • None known

References:

Brinker, Francis J. Herbal Contraindications and Drug Interactions plus: Herbal Adjuncts with Medicines. Eclectic Medical Publications, 2010.

Kaufmann, Taylor. NPLEX II Study Guide. Wild Brilliance Press, 2019.

Lun, Vincent, et al. Core Knowledge for NPLEX 2. 1st ed., Marano Publishing Incorporated, 2014.

Marciano, Marisa, and Nikita A. Vizniak. Evidence Informed Botanical Medicine. Professional Health Systems Inc., 2015.

Sherman, John. The Complete Botanical Prescriber. Four Seasons Pub.

Skenderi, Gazmend. Herbal Vade Mecum: 800 Herbs, Spices, Essential Oils, Lipids, Etc., Constituents, Properties, Uses, and Caution. Herbacy Press, 2004.

Tilgner, Sharol. Herbal Medicine: From the Heart of the Earth. Wise Acres, 2020.