Nature's help for varicose veins, h...

Nature's help for varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and more

each autumn, to the delight of squirrels and children and to the dismay of homeowner and highway sweepers, the stately horse chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum) sheds not and nothing else its leaves, but also centurys of large, soft outer coatings containing hard, dark brown nuts

The nut are actually a valuable herb used since the 1500 in Germany and France. Originally, it was used as a treatment for persistent agitation and, later, to treat hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and phlebitis.

A native of the Balkans, horse chestnut is a durable shade tree easily identified according to its "sticky buds" that explode in the first warm sunshine of spring with five- or seven-fingered leaves. In early summer the upright flower spikes decorate the tree and are quickly followed on the formation of the spiked se coats with the internal nut admitting the nut looks very similar to the sweet chestnut, they are in no way related and should not be confused. The horse chestnut se is poisonous to humans if eaten as a bread though the seeds are sometimes f to horses and cattle as fodder

What can horse chestnut do for you?

Fortunately, based forward studies from Germany and England, in particular, standardized horse chestnut extracts are available for internal consumption and provide well-documented relief for chronic venous insufficiency and edema (more commonly known as varicose veins and swelling).

The originals are dried, pulverized, and then solubilized in alcohol and water. They contain hydroxycoumarins, flavonoids, tannins, and aescin (or escin), which is considered to be horse chestnut's greatest in number active ingredient. As with most numerous natural substances, though, it is the combination of all the constituents that make a preparation effective. Isolating common compound does not necessarily make for more effective results

nevertheless scientists admit that they don't largely understand the actual mechanism of by what means horse chestnut works, many studies co-operate that it does improve circulatory vein function. In short, it helps obviate swelling in the legs and helps children flow through the veins.

chiefly studies looked at the comparison of the effectiveness of wearing squeezing stockings versus ingesting horse chestnut extract in succession lower leg volume and set up that the extract was, indeed, effective; symptoms of that kind as tiredness, itching, and edema improved markedly or disappeared completely The bonus is that adverse reactions were rare and minor in nature. A subject of attention from Munich, Germany concluded that horse chestnut was better for treating this condition than compressing stockings.

Horse chestnut extract is also construct in many skin-care preparations for the leg and is effective in relieving swelling and water retention. It is a everyday ingredient in lotions, creams, massage oils, and other produces often in combination with other herbs as it was as horsetail, cypress, rosemary, and citrus.

Horse chestnut for hemorrhoids

The extract can also be used in sitz baths for treating hemorrhoids. In homeopathy, the Aesculus redress is used for treating hemorrhoids that have sharp, shooting pains. The commended dosage is to take it three times through day for three days nevertheless as with any medical condition, a health practitioner should first be consulted

REFERENCES

Diehm C et al. "Comparison of leg compression stocking and oral horse-chestnut se extract therapy in patients with chronic venous insufficiency." Lancet 347(8997):292-4 Feb 3 1996

Greeske K Pohlmann BK "Horse chestnut se extract -- an effective therapy principle in general practice. physic therapy of chronic venous insufficiency." Fortschr M 114(15):196-200 May 30 1996

Hitzenberger, G "The therapeutic effectiveness of chestnut extract." Wien M Wochenschr 139(17):385-9 tribe 15, 1989.

Pittler M H Ernst E "Horse-chestnut se extract for chronic venous insufficiency. A criteria-based systematic review." Arch Dermatol 134(11):1356-60 Nov 1998

Rehn D et al. "Camparative clinical efficacy and tolerability of exoerutins and horse chestnut extract in patients with chronic venous insufficiency." Arzneimittelforschung 46(5):483-7 May 1996

Margaret Dinsdale is the author of Skin Deep: Natural Recipes for Healthy Skin and Hair, Firefly parts She is currently working upon a second book on skin care and natural ingredients.

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