Horse Chestnut

Aesculus hippocastanum

Hippocastanceae

A picture showing horse chestnut leaves, seeds

Useful parts: seeds (fruits), bark of the tree, leaves, and flowers

Below are some uses and cautions about this plant:

Horse Chestnut Uses

For centuries, this tree's fruits, leaves, bark, and flowers have been used for several diseases. It has the ability to:

- stop pain

- stop inflammation,

- act as an astringent

- promote urine

- decrease phlegm

- reduce fever (bark)

- stop bleeding (seed/fruit)

- promote sleep/ sedation (bark)

- act as a tonic (bark)

- protect blood vessels

- vasoconstriction

- help with external wounds/ reduce gangrene/ rotting (bark tea)

- arthritis (seed/fruit)

- nerve pain (seed/fruit)

- varicose veins (seeds/fruit)

- deep vein thrombosis (DVT)- seeds/fruit- active ingredient "aescin"

Cautions

Horse chestnut's seeds, leaves, and bark contains a chemical called "esculin". This chemical esculin is toxic to all animals, including humans. Over usage can cause side effects such as itchiness, dizziness, or abdominal upsets.