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

Chestnuts are common growing trees found in plazas between housing blocks and in parks. However, not everyone knows that these impressive trees with characteristic fruits, eagerly picked by children and used for various works of art, are the source of many valuable substances used in medicine and cosmetics.

Horse chestnut is a tree that is found almost all over Europe. It belongs to the soapwort family and can grow up to 40 m high. Almost all parts of the horse chestnut are used by natural and beauty medicine: seeds, fruits, flowers (only the white ones), leaves and bark - they are the source of flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, coumarin and escin, among others. Let's check when it is worth resorting to preparations with horse chestnut extract.

Properties of the horse chestnut

For both the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, chestnut blossoms and bark are the most valuable ingredients due to the 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 components contained in the horse chestnut make it a plant used in the household, in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The beneficial effect of chestnut products on blood vessels is confirmed by research. This plant has a vascular strengthening effect, heals hematomas or helps against cellulite. Ointments and tinctures are made from the bark, fruits and seeds. Horse chestnut has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antispasmodic properties:

• helps with indigestion - the tannins contained in the horse chestnut have an antibacterial, diastolic, anti-inflammatory and slightly constipating effect. In the case of indigestion or even mild food poisoning, it is worth resorting to an infusion of chestnut leaves or blossoms,
• helps heal frostbite and hematoma - horse chestnut's anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties improve circulation and have a mild astringent effect, which is why this herb is used to treat burns, frostbite, and other skin damage, including bruises and tendinitis. Compresses with infusions and decoctions of bark, flowers and leaves or the use of horse chestnut ointments improve blood circulation and 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 the walls of capillaries, also seals them, increases their resistance to dilation and cracking, and also improves them their elasticity and also sealing effect. For this reason, chestnut extract is often used as one of the main ingredients of tonics, creams and masks intended for the care of skin, contributing to the formation of the so-called."spider veins" (dilated veins), as well as cosmetics for mature and flabby skin, because they increase its elasticity and narrow the pores,
• helps to improve blood circulation - escin and flavonoids - active ingredients - thin blood, delay its clotting and reduce its viscosity, thanks to which blood flow in veins is smooth and blood clots do not form Blood supply to all organs, including the skin, will be improved. Chestnut medicines are indicated in the treatment of venous congestion, hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis, as well as in the occurrence of circulatory disorders of the tissues, which can manifest themselves in pain, tingling and cold sensations, as well as muscle cramps.

Wide application of horse chestnut

Aqueous and alcoholic horse chestnut extracts have also been used for adjuvant treatment in:

• atherosclerosis,
• hepatitis,
• Inflammation of the tendons,
• labor pains,
• Hematoma.

Compresses made from chestnuts support the healing process of burns and tissue regeneration after frostbite. In addition, the extract of this plant is contained in:

• creams,
• Facials,
• 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 ointment, capsules or tablets. Horse chestnut infusion can be prepared from dried leaves by pouring 1 tablespoon into 1 cup of boiling water and letting it stand under a lid for about 20 minutes. On the other hand, a decoction is prepared from the bark - then the same proportions of the ingredients are boiled for about 5 minutes, after removing from the fire, the decoction is left for 20 minutes, then strain. To prepare the tincture , you will need chestnut flowers, which are poured with alcohol - 100 g of raw material pour 500 g of alcohol, leave in a dark and cool place and strain after 7-10 days. Horse chestnut tincture can be taken orally and used topically as a rub.

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

When using preparations containing horse chestnut extract, you should be aware that they can enhance or weaken the effects of certain medications or, in combination with them, can have a toxic effect. The escin contained in the horse chestnut can react with other substances, so avoid combining it with drugs containing cephalosporins, aminoglycoside antibiotics and anticoagulants. When using horse chestnut tablets, side effects may occur, such as B.: Gastrointestinal problems or an allergic reaction. Pregnant women may only use horse chestnut preparations for external use.