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.