The fruit of the horse chestnut tree contains large seeds with a shiny, brown coat. The unprocessed seeds are toxic when ingested, and are not to be confused with the edible fruit of the sweet chestnut, Castanea sativa.
Uses and Benefits:
The processed seeds are employed in a standardized horse chestnut seed extract (HCSE), which is a popular oral therapy in European countries for chronic venous insufficiency and localized edema. Aescin, the active constituent of HCSE, is a registered drug in Germany and other European countries and is used topically and intravenously. Topical HCSE and aescin preparations are alleged to decrease symptoms of varicose veins, superficial thrombophlebitis, lymphatic edema, hemorrhoids, hematomas, and a variety of sports injuries and other traumas.
Traditionally, horse chestnut seeds have been used for arthritis and rheumatic conditions, neuralgia, rectal complaints, and other related disorders of inflammatory congestion and engorgement. The bark and leaves of the plant have also been used medicinally.
