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Horse Chestnut - Benefits And Side Effects

Botanical name: Aesculus hippocastanum

Actions: Anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, astringent, bitter, cellular proliferator (especially to the vascular walls), expector ant, febrifuge, mild narcotic, nutritive.

Parts used : Bark, dried horse chestnut seeds, dried horse chestnut leaves

A native of the Balkan peninsula (Greece-Albania), it is now cultivated in many countries for shade and ornament. Other members of the family are native trees and shrubs of the north temperate zones and of South America. It can reach 30 meters tall, and has striking candles of blooms in spring and early summer. Individual flowers have crumpled white petals with a yellow basal patch that changes to a dull red colour. The fruit has a lathery cae covered with short pickles. The seed are used to play "conkers".

Today, horse chestnut seed extract is still used for these conditions and is particularly popular in Germany, where it ranks among the most common prescription herbal remedies (after ginkgo biloba and St. John's wort).

Medical uses and benefits of Horse Chestnut

• This is another one of God's great circulatory herbs.
• Horse Chestnut strengthens and tones the vascular walls.
• It has anti-inflammatory properties, thus it helps dissolve plaqued lipids.
• oth of the above actions together greatly increase circulation.
• A "must" for varicose and spider veins as well as hemorrhoids.
• Reduces vascular swelling.
• A strong astringent, similar to witch hazel and white oak bark.
• Useful for ulcerated conditions.
• Helps remove toxins from the body.
• Useful for prostatitis.
• Use in cases of rheumatism.

Cautions

• Horse chestnut seed extract products have been safely used in Germany for decades. As long as the product is properly prepared, the risk of adverse reactions and complications appears to be quite low.
• Don't use horse chestnut during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
• If you have any type of liver or kidney problem, consult your doctor before taking horse chestnut seed extract.