Horse Chestnut Leaf for Hemorrhoids

Aesculus hippocastanum, or horse chestnut, is a type of plant, the leaves of which are sometimes used to make medicine. Herbalists recommend horse chestnut leaf to treat a number of conditions, including hemorrhoids or the swelling of veins around the anus.

Function

• Horse chestnut leaf contains a chemical called aescin, which reduces inflammation, prevents the retention of fluid under the skin (edema) and promotes the drainage of fluid from veins, according to "Aescin: Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Therapeutic Profile," written by CR Sirtori of the University of Milan and published in the journal Pharmacological Research in September 2001.

Reported Effects

• Because horse chestnut leaf contains aescin, herbalists claim that using supplements that contain the herb can relieve the swelling that contributes to the discomfort and pain of hemorrhoids, according to the University of Michigan Health System.

Expert Insight

• The National Institute of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine cautions that there is not enough research to prove the effectiveness of horse chestnut leaf supplements for use in the treatment of hemorrhoids.

Warning

• Raw chestnut leaf is poisonous and can be fatal if consumed, warns RxList. For the treatment of hemorrhoids, patients should only use supplements that contain horse chestnut extract.

Considerations

• If you are pregnant or nursing, have an allergy to latex or a history of kidney or liver disease, it may not be safe for you to use horse chestnut medicinally in any form, cautions RxList.