My sister-in-law suffers from some serious varicose veins. They are really painful for me to look at and I imagine they are just as painful to her to have creeping up her leg and across her thighs or where ever they happen to be sprouting up.
But lately those nasty varicose veins — which are looking more and more like a roadmap of downtown Rome — have starting to thin out a bit. Do in no small part to my sister-in-laws use of horse chestnut extract drops which she takes orally and also mixes into an oil to massage her legs.
The horse chestnut’s scientific name is Aesculus hippocastanum. It grows naturally in mountain valleys. In most cities, the tree is chiefly grown for ornamental purposes along roads and avenues. When the trees are in bloom in the spring, they contribute to stunning scenic views. But this fast-growing tree needs plenty of space to flourish.
The horse chestnut tree can grow up to 30 meters in height. During the spring and autumn it is covered with striking candles of blooms. The shady horse chestnut tree produces prickly fruits containing one to three large chestnut seeds, or “nuts”. The extract made of these seeds is known as horse chestnut herb drops and is used in medicine.
The extract of the horse chestnut has been used medicinally the appearance of varicose veins – the unwanted blue veins seen on the legs of the elderly. The extract has been used for many years orally as a natural tonic, to improve the fatigue, pains, nighttime cramping, itching and swelling in the legs.
The active ingredient in horse chestnut herb drops is called AESCIN and once extracted can be formed into a powder or herbs.
According to www.nutritioncentre.com German researchers gave 240 varicose vein sufferers either compression stockings or horse chestnut (50 mg aescin twice a day). After 12 weeks, both groups experienced equal relief. Horse chestnuts won’t eliminate every little spider vein and it may not help varicose veins you’ve had for years. But many men and women swear by and use it for on a regular basis. Its effects have been most promising before long distance trips on airplanes or other trips where being seated for hours is the norm.
Horse Chestnut Seed Extract has been tested through many medical experiments which proved it to be safe and beneficial herb that is prescribed for many purposes nowadays. Horse chestnut herb drops made of chestnut seeds affect flexibility and firmness of vein walls, it is ideal for supporting the weakened vein system. Moreover, the non-existence of health risk of the preparation has been proved, too.
According to www.herbnet.com Commercial extracts of aescin from horse chestnut seeds also have been shown to reduce excessive clotting. Researchers at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Wash., conducted a double-blind, randomized, single-dose trial on 71 healthy individuals to assess the effects of a topical 2 percent aescin gel on experimentally induced bruises (broken blood vessels). The aescin gel reduced inflammation and tenderness in all cases over the recorded 10-hour period.
The horse chestnut is most often used as a tincture rather than a tea and can be applied externally. It is also sold in a massage oil. The tincture and the massage oil can be combined with essential oils.
Medics point out that chestnut extract isn’t something you can make at home. Horse chestnuts, unlike the seeds of the sweet chestnut, are poisonous and can cause vomiting and paralysis -especially in young children.
The horse-chestnut and its derivatives have been used for centuries. In ancient China, horse chestnut leaves have marked narcotic tendencies — a cupful of standard infusion reputed to ensure a deep, calm sleep. According to www.emedicinal.com essence of horse-chestnut is rich in vitamin K and therefore valuable in treating all circulatory disorders. People suffering from poor circulation, piles, varicose veins, and chilblains may be helped with medical supervision.
Pealed roasted nuts were brewed for diarrheaand prostate ailments. Special preparations of the seeds are also believed to prevent thrombosis and rheumatism, not to mention bronchitis, swollen prostate, gastritis and gastroenteritis. Leaf tea is a tonic; used for fevers, colds, malaria, dysentery; externally, for lupus and skin ulcers. A fluid extract from the fruit protects against sunburn.
However, having established that, In Europe, horse chestnut extracts are standardized, and the dosage should be on the label. Unfortunately, these standardized extracts are not yet widely available in the United States. That doesn’t mean that horse chestnut extract is impossible to find. Most reputable herbals stores should be able to special order it.
Just remember, you must obtain a standardized extract and follow package directions if you’re going to use it.
In the meantime, with her veins under control (somewhat) my sister-in-law feels a lot better — as all of us who have to watch — when it comes to slipping into a bathing suit.
