Aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut)
Family: Hippocastanaceae
Part Used: Fruit
Active Constituents:
Fatty acids, flavones, glycosides (aesculin, fraxin), saponins (aescin), tannins
Medicinal Actions:
Astringent, anti-inflammatory, circulatory tonic, expectorant, vulnerary
Medicinal Uses:
high in flavanoid ehance vitamin C absorbtion thus the vascular wall integrity is enhance
treat varicosity
pt. History of embolism or clot (phjlebitis)
pulmonary emobolism
berry dry is more toxic than fresh …making tincture use fresh nut
Aesculus is a vascular tonic. It seems to exhibit its action by increasing vascular integrity in the entire circulatory system, but most strongly in the venous system. It works on the entire system, but has a profound effect on the capillary integrity. Because of this action, it decreases fluid accumulation anywhere in the body. It has mild hemolytic action, according to Weiss, though these actions are minimal in the therapeutic dose range. It decreases capillary permeability and is used to treat phlebitis, varicosities, hemorrhoids and edema due to poor vascular tone. A Weiss report that studies show that aescin is 100 times more effective than rutin in treatment of edema. It may be used both internally and externally.
Because Aesculus contains saponins, it also exhibits an expectorant effect in the lungs. Aesculus also seems to decrease the incidence of leg cramp.
Toxicity:
Most of the toxic reactions have been due to IV dosing of this herb. Early symptoms of overdose include headache, fever and thirst. The person may also experience sneezing, impairment of vision, dizziness, vomiting, confusion, stupor, coma and death.
Pharmacy:
Infusion: 1 tsp/cup H2O TID
Tincture (1:5): 1-4 ml TID
FluidExtract (1:1): 1-3 ml TID