Horse chestnut: a natural support for blood circulation?

Horse chestnut: fruit of the horse chestnut tree

The horse chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum) is a large ornamental tree native to the Balkans and introduced to Europe in the 17th century.

It can grow to over 20 metres in height and can be recognised by its broad palmate leaves and brown fruit, commonly known as ‘conkers’ (not to be confused with sweet chestnuts).

Horse chestnut has been used in herbal medicine for centuries to support blood circulation and relieve venous disorders (1).

Mainly the seeds and bark are used, as they contain several active compounds: aescin, flavonoids and esculoside.

And the benefits of these active substances have now been confirmed by several meta-analyses and scientific studies (2).

What are the benefits of horse chestnut?

Horse chestnut is known for its effects on vascular and venous health.

Numerous studies have shown that horse chestnut extracts:

• help to maintain good blood circulation
• contribute to the health of the veins and capillaries
• help reduce the sensation of heavy legs
• help maintain healthy venous circulation in the legs

Horse chestnut contains aescin, an active ingredient renowned for its veinotonic properties: it preserves the permeability and tone of the vein wall, helps prevent oedema and facilitates the return of blood to the heart (3).

Aescin's effectiveness is based on several complementary biological mechanisms:

• It stimulates the production of ATP, which is involved in various energy processes and is often observed to be reduced in chronic venous insufficiency (4).
• It reduces the activity of phospholipase A2, an enzyme involved in the release of inflammatory mediators in the vessels (5).
• It has an inhibitory effect on hyaluronidase, an enzyme responsible for degradation of the capillary wall (6).

One study even showed that the action of aescin could be comparable to that of compression stockings, which remain the primary treatment for relieving the symptoms of venous insufficiency (7).

Horse chestnut also contains flavonoids, powerful natural antioxidants that protect blood vessels from oxidative stress and support microcirculation (8).

Esculoside, a molecule with properties similar to those of vitamin P, is involved in protecting and regulating the permeability of the capillaries.

Good to know: fresh horse chestnut seeds can be toxic. That's why food supplements are the safest way to enjoy the benefits of this fruit.

Discover Horse Chestnut Extract, a horse chestnut food supplement standardised to 20% aescin (compared with 3 to 6% for most horse chestnut supplements).

When and how should horse chestnut be used?

A natural support for venous health, Horse Chestnut can help relieve certain blood circulation disorders.

In cases of venous insufficiency

Venous insufficiency is a common condition that can be aggravated by a number of factors:

• a sedentary lifestyle: this limits the action of the calf muscle pump, which is essential for pumping blood to the heart
• an unbalanced diet, too high in salt or low in fibre: this encourages water retention, weight gain and constipation, all of which increase pressure on the venous network
• age: as we age, tissues lose elasticity and the vein walls relax, making the veins more prone to dilation
• hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause, taking hormonal contraceptives): these too influence the tone of the vein walls
• prolonged exposure to heat (sun, sauna, underfloor heating): this causes vasodilatation, which slows venous return
• prolonged walking or static posture: the absence of regular muscle contraction impedes circulation

Possible consequences include dilated veins, heavy and swollen legs (oedema), pain, itching, cramps, hemorrhoids and cold extremities.

If left untreated, venous insufficiency can lead to serious long-term complications, such as deep vein thrombosis (phlebitis) and, in the most serious cases, pulmonary embolism.

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In the case of haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are a network of small blood vessels located in the anal region.

There are external haemorrhoids, located under the skin at the anus orifice, and internal haemorrhoids, located under the mucous membrane inside the anal canal.

Having haemorrhoids is actually haemorrhoidal disease: an inflammation and swelling of these vessels, causing discomfort, itching, burning and pain in the anus.

Aescin, an active ingredient extracted from horse chestnut seeds, is thought to have a number of beneficial actions in this context: increasing the tone of the venous walls (venotonic effect), reducing capillary permeability (anti-oedematous), limiting local inflammation and protecting the structure of the surrounding connective tissue.

One study reported a marked improvement in haemorrhoidal symptoms (pain, swelling, discomfort) in 81% of participants by the sixth day (9).

Discover Hemo Comfort, a dietary supplement rich in horse chestnut extract, the most powerful natural veinotonic known.

Precautions to be taken with horse chestnut

When used in recommended doses, horse chestnut extract is generally well tolerated.

However, precautions should be taken in certain situations:

• due to a lack of studies on the subject, it is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women
• it should not be taken without medical advice if you are on anticoagulant therapy, as it may slow down blood coagulation
• caution is also advised in the case of liver, heart or kidney disorders

In the event of persistent or worsening circulatory problems, it is always advisable to consult a health professional as soon as possible.