How Is Horse Chestnut Good for Leg Circulation?

The horse chestnut tree is found throughout Europe and North America, although it is native to the Balkans. Horse chestnut seed extract has beneficial effects on vein health and is approved for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency in Germany. The use of this extract is also growing in the United States and Canada. Increased interest in this herb has resulted in clinical studies that support the use of horse chestnut for improving conditions of poor leg circulation, according to the University of Texas.

Action

• Horse chestnut has anti-inflammatory, anti-edemic and vasoconstrictor actions in the body, according to the University of Texas at El Paso. The enzymes elastase and hyaluronidase are reduced in the presence of horse chestnut. This results in decreased permeability of the capillaries. Additionally, venous tone and flow are improved.

Clinical Research

• Patients with pruritis were given aescin, a component of horse chestnut, in a study conducted by Li et al in 2004. The researchers found that 300 mg of aescin was beneficial in treating pruritis, according to the University of Texas. Studies regarding the topical application aescin with essential phospholipids revealed improved health of small blood vessels and delivery of nutrients to veins. Post-operative edema, hemorrhoids and chronic venous insufficiency have also shown improvement from aescin in clinical studies.

Active Components

• Horse chestnut contains aescin, a saponin. Researchers believe aescin is the most active component in horse chestnut and is mainly responsible for improving vein health and reducing symptoms in conditions of poor leg circulation. Horse chestnut also contains the flavonoids rutin and quercetin as well as phytosterols, tannins and hydroxycoumarins, which act as anticoagulants, according to the University of Texas.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

• Studies have shown that horse chestnut seed extract reduces symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. The extract reduced pain, leg volume and swelling and itchiness, according to the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Dosage

• A daily dose of 300 mg of standardized horse chestnut extract is the recommended amount, according to the University of Washington. Standardized extracts should contain at least 16 percent aescin.

Side Effects

• Horse chestnut extract is generally considered safe. Individuals with kidney or liver disease should avoid intravenous fluids containing aescin. Unprocessed seeds are toxic when ingested. Mild side effects, like dizziness, nausea, digestive complaints and headache, were rarely reported in clinical studies.