• Properties of the horse chestnut
• Wide application of horse chestnut
• Horse chestnut ointment, infusion and tincture
• Are there any contraindications to the use of preparations containing horse chestnut extract?

Chestnut trees are common trees found in squares between housing projects and in parks. However, not everyone knows that these impressive trees, with their distinctive fruits eagerly picked by children and used in various works of art, are the source of many valuable substances used in medicine and cosmetics.

Horse chestnut is a tree found throughout almost all of Europe. It belongs to the soapwort family and can grow up to 40 meters tall. Almost all parts of the horse chestnut are used in natural and cosmetic medicine: seeds, fruits, flowers (only the white ones), leaves, and bark – they are a source of flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, coumarin, and escin, among other substances. Let's examine when it's worth using preparations containing horse chestnut extract.

Properties of the horse chestnut

For both the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, horse chestnut blossoms and bark are the most valuable ingredients due to their high concentration of valuable nutrients, while leaves are the least used. Horse chestnut is a source of:

• Triterpene saponins, the most important of which is escin,
• flavonoids,
• Coumarin,
• tannins,
• Phenolic acids,
• Sugar
• Strength,
• Carotenoids,
• Sterols,
• mineral compounds.

The constituents of the horse chestnut make it a plant used in household, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications. The beneficial effects of chestnut products on blood vessels have been confirmed by research. This plant strengthens blood vessels, heals hematomas, and helps combat cellulite. Ointments and tinctures are made from its bark, fruits, and seeds. Horse chestnut has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antispasmodic properties:

• Helps with digestive disorders – the tannins contained in horse chestnut have antibacterial, diastolic, anti-inflammatory, and mildly constipating effects. For digestive disorders and even mild food poisoning, it's worth using an infusion of chestnut leaves or blossoms.
• Helps heal frostbite and hematomas - horse chestnut's anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties improve blood circulation and have a mild astringent effect, which is why this plant is used to treat burns, frostbite, and other skin injuries, including bruises and tendonitis. Compresses with infusions and decoctions of bark, flowers, and leaves, or the use of horse chestnut ointments, improve blood circulation, accelerate the resorption of hematomas, and help reduce swelling.
• Helps strengthen blood vessels – Flavonoids and coumarin have anti-inflammatory and sealing effects on blood vessels, and escin inhibits the activity of enzymes that destroy capillary walls, sealing them, increasing their resistance to dilation and cracking, and improving their elasticity and sealing effect. For this reason, chestnut extract is often used as one of the key ingredients in tonics, creams, and masks for the care of skin prone to the formation of so-called "spider veins" (dilated capillaries), as well as in cosmetics for mature and sagging skin, as it increases its elasticity and tightens pores.
• Helps improve blood circulation - Escin and flavonoids - active ingredients - thin the blood, delay clotting, and reduce its viscosity, thereby improving blood flow in the veins and preventing the formation of blood clots. Blood supply to all organs, including the skin, is improved. Chestnut medicinal products are indicated for the treatment of venous congestion, hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis, and in the presence of impaired blood circulation in tissues, which can manifest as pain, tingling, a sensation of cold, and muscle cramps.

Wide application of horse chestnut

Aqueous and alcoholic horse chestnut extracts have also been used as a supportive treatment for:

• Atherosclerosis,
• Hepatitis,
• Inflammation of the tendons,
• contractions,
• Hematomas.

Chestnut compresses support the healing process of burns and tissue regeneration after frostbite. In addition, this plant extract is found in:

• Creams,
• facial treatments,
• Bath lotions,
• Shampoos,
• Hair conditioners,
• Anti-cellulite lotions,
• Ointments for swollen, tired and sore legs.

Horse chestnut ointment, infusion and tincture

Horse chestnut is available in dried form—inflorescence and bark—as well as in the form of ointments, capsules, or tablets. Horse chestnut infusion can be prepared at home from dried leaves by pouring 1 tablespoon of 1 cup of boiling water and letting it steep under a lid for about 20 minutes. Alternatively, a decoction is prepared from the bark—equal proportions of the ingredients are boiled for about 5 minutes, then removed from the heat and the decoction is allowed to stand for 20 minutes, then strained. To prepare the tincture, you need chestnut flowers, which are infused with spirit—100 g of raw material pour 500 g of alcohol, let stand in a dark and cool place, and strain after 7-10 days. Horse chestnut tincture can be taken orally and used externally for rubbing.

Are there any contraindications to the use of preparations containing horse chestnut extract?

When using preparations containing horse chestnut extract, you should be aware that these can enhance or weaken the effects of certain medications, or be toxic when combined with them. The escin contained in horse chestnut can react with other substances, so avoid combining them with medications containing cephalosporins, aminoglycoside antibiotics, and anticoagulants. Side effects such as gastrointestinal upset or allergic reactions may occur when using horse chestnut tablets. Pregnant women may only use horse chestnut preparations for external use.