Horse Chestnut - From Beautiful Flower to be great Herbal

Horse chestnut supports the vessels of our circulatory system and helps strengthen capillary cells and reduce fluid breakage. The Horse Chestnut is a flowers showy, insect-pollinated, with four or five petals fused into a lobed corolla tube, arranged in a panicle inflorescence. The fruit matures to a capsule 2–5 cm diameter, usually globose with 1-3 seeds per capsule, more than 2 results in seeds being flat on one side. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal healthcare supplements may be beneficial and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous. The capsule epidermis has "spines" in some species, other capsules are warty or smooth; capsule splits into three sections to release the seeds.


Photo: Abizeleth

There are 25 different species of Horse-Chestnut native to the temperate northern hemisphere. In North America they are referred to as "Buckeyes" and have 10 native species. Europe and Asia have 15 native species and they are referred to as Horse-Chestnuts, some are also called "white Chestnuts" and "Red Chestnuts". In Britain they are sometimes called "Conker Trees" because of the relation with the game of Conkers.

It is believed to be an excellent antioxidant to prevent wrinkles. They are generally fairly problem-free, though a recently discovered leaf-mining moth Cameraria ohridella is currently causing major problems in much of Europe, causing premature leaf fall which looks very unattractive. The symptoms can be confused with damage caused by the leaf fungus Guignardia aesculi, which is also very common but usually less serious. Common Horse Chestnut is also used as a food plant by the sycamore, another species of moth. It also helps in the treatments of phlebitis, varicosity and hemorrhoids.

The powder is sprinkled over fish-laden still water, to stun fish. The stupefied fish then float to the surface of the water where they can be scooped up and eaten. Allegedly the toxins in the horse chestnuts are not transmitted to the eaters of the fish, if the fish are then gutted and cooked.


Photo: ~Wickerman~

One species very popular in cultivation, the Common Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum is also often known as just "Horse-chestnut". Linnaeus named the genus Aesculus after the Roman name for an edible acorn. The use of the term "horse" refers to their strength or inedibility, the word "horse" originally meant strong or powerful, and does not here refer to their fitness as fodder for horses, except in folk etymology. The name buckeye derives from the resemblance of the seed to the brown eye of a buck and horse-chestnut from the external resemblance of the seed to a chestnut, but being inedible. The Buckeye blooms in summer and the Horse-chestnut in late spring.

Horse chestnut has also been promoted for relief of swelling or inflammation of joints, tendons, and muscles and hemorrhoids. Horse chestnut has been used orally to improve symptoms of fatigue, pain, nighttime cramping, itching and swelling in the legs.

The use of horse chestnut in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable.


Photo: Planetary Herbals Horse Chestnut, Vein Strength, 705 mg, Tablets, 90 tablets

Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous. If you choose to use horse chestnut, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare provider. Store horse chestnut as directed on the package. In general, horse chestnut should be protected from light, heat, and moisture.

Sources: wikipedia.org, drugs.com, horsechestnut.com