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Horse chestnut concentrate is most effective in promoting vein and capillary strength, promoting circulation and lymphatic movement especially in the extremities. Horse chestnut lowers the permeability and leakiness of blood vessels and lessens edema. Horse chestnut used along with rutin gives a greater effect as rutin strengthens blood vessel lining membranes and helps to reduce edema; they are synergetic, magnifying each other’s benefits. See rutin for more information.

Our patients have reported better results with varicose veins, less leg swelling and aching, diminished edema, and reduced hemorrhoid itching and discomfort using Horse Chestnut consistently over time more. We have a long track record of seeing good benefits with nutraceuticals from Vitanica, a professional brand who have carefully manufactured nutrients for doctors and their patients for decades, with a unique approach to balanced concentrates.

About this product

The horse chestnut tree originated in Asia and Greece and now grows throughout Europe and North America. The fruit has a spiny outer case and contains up to three large horse chestnut seeds. Extracts of horse chestnut seed are ideally standardized to contain about 20% of the saponin called aescin and have long been known to have a tonic effect on veins, helping varicose veins and hemorrhoids where veins walls are weakened and relax too much, and also helps prostate enlargement.

Double blind human studies with varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency, where veins are weak and leaky, found that just 50 mg aescin twice daily can be as effective as compression stockings for relieving heaviness of the legs, itching, swelling and tingling paresthesia. Horse chestnut extract standardized for aescin works to improve venous return and reduce edema. Aescin can reduce the number and size of tiny pores in capillary walls so they become less permeable, curbing fluid leakage. Aescin is also a venotonic; it improves the ability of small elastic fibers in vein walls to contract and thus to better maintain tone as blood flows through against gravity.

Horse chestnut also contains flavonoids, tannins, quinines, sterols, good fatty acids, and natural coumarins. It can gently improve urine flow and fluid filtering by the kidneys, hence its potential value for prostate enlargement. Horse chestnut inhibits the enzymes linked with chronic venous insufficiency, and it may boost the prostaglandin PGF 2-alpha which can firm up blood vessel tone. It is anti-inflammatory; it slows white blood cell migration and lowers histamine which can worsen capillary leakage. Additionally, it can be powerfully effective for hemorrhoids.

For lymphedema, in which lymphatic fluid leaks out from the tiny lymphatic vessels and causes swelling usually in arms or legs, sometimes after surgery, horse chestnut can significantly help reduce swelling. Aescin strengthens lymphatic vessel walls and reduces leakage of fluid and protein into the surrounding tissue.

Though not included in this formula, Rutin, a bioflavonoid naturally found in citrus and other fruits, has many synergistic actions with horse chestnut. Over 40 years of clinical trials have shown rutin to help capillary permeability, bruising, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids. It can improve venous tone and help veins be less flaccid. For varicose veins, rutin can lessen pain, sensations of tired legs, and night cramps. After twelve weeks on rutin up to 90% of subjects with hemorrhoids experienced benefit. Rutin has antioxidant actions: it increases the amounts of vitamin C within cells and scavenges free radicals, which may then help chronic venous insufficiency.

In addition, rutin can reduce capillary leaking and edema. It improves blood flow by strengthening the cells that line the inside of blood vessels, and by supporting collagen, the protein that helps to hold cells, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and all connective tissue together. Because rutin can strengthen blood vessels, it has been taken to prevent hemorrhagic strokes due to broken veins or arteries. Rutin is anti-inflammatory and helpful for venous edema and possibly even hypertension and surface vein thrombosis.

Contents

1 capsule provides:

Horse Chestnut Extract (Aesculus hippocastanum) 250 mg

Other Ingredients: Vegetable capsule (HPMC cellulose, water), silica

This product does not contain artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, preservatives, binders, milk derivatives, lactose, eggs, ingredients of animal origin, gluten, salt, soy, sugar, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, or GMOs.

Cautions

Always take natural remedies under the supervision of your health care provider. Consult your healthcare professional before using horse chestnut if you are taking diabetes medications as horse chestnut may lower blood sugar.

Ask your doctor if you are using warfarin or other blood thinners such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac, or heparin, or have a bleeding disorder as horse chestnut may have a mild blood-thinning effect.

Never eat raw horse chestnut seed, bark, flower, or leaf; they are unsafe.

If you are pregnant or nursing, only use horse chestnut under the guidance of your physician as the effects during pregnancy or lactation are unknown.