Horse Chestnut

History:

The Horse Chestnut is a large deciduous tree that is native to southeastern Europe (notably the Balkan countries) and cultivated in temperate Europe and North America (in 1763, the first Horse Chestnut tree was blooming in a Pennsylvania garden). The sturdy Horse Chestnut is a close relative of the buckeye tree (Ohio Buckeye [Aesculus glabra] or the California Buckeye [Aesculus glabra californica], etc.), which is a native of North America, but quite different in application. The Horse Chestnut tree is highly ornamental and bears palm-shaped, serrate leaves, chandelier-like white flowers with a pink-to-yellow spot, followed by globose, spiny, green-brown fruits filled with several shiny, red-brown seeds. This exotic tree, frequently considered a sign of prosperity, may reach a height of eighty to one hundred feet and can be found in parks, gardens and streets, thriving in fertile, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. According to Renaissance herbal writings, the Turks used the Horse Chestnuts for respiratory health in horses; hence, we have its English name, as well as its botanical specific, hippocastanum (hippo is the Greek word for horse). Native Americans of the Northeast used Horse Chestnut  for respiration and - very oddly - "carried" the nuts to dispel rheumatism. It is interesting to note that in European folk medicines, it was also "carried in the pocket" for arthritis. Horse Chestnut was also used for rectal blood vessel health (an application still used today). The bark, oil, seeds and leaves are collected in the autumn for use in herbal therapy. If ingested without processing, the seeds can be toxic, but roasting destroys any poisons (aesculin). Some of the constituents in Horse Chestnut include allantoin, citric acid, aescin, fraxin, kaempferol, myricetin, epicatechin, isoquercitrin, quercetin, quercitrin, rutin, saponin, scopoletin and astringent tannin.

Recommended Dosage:
Take one (1) capsule, one (1) time each day with water at an early to midday mealtime.

Contraindications:
Pregnant and nursing women should avoid Horse Chestnut Herbal Supplement, and overuse (many times the recommended dosage) may cause gastric distress. Very large amounts of Horse Chestnut may cause liver and kidney failure and should be avoided by those suffering from liver or kidney disease. Consult a physician before use if you are taking any blood-thinning medication. The seeds of the Horse Chestnut tree are toxic if eaten unprocessed.

Capsule Information:
Our Horse Chestnut supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules.(click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs.

Special Note:
If any medical terms on our website are confusing or unknown, we have compiled a small dictionary of terms for you. Click here for our Definitions, and go directly to the word in question for further information.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.