Horse chestnut: medicinal properties, tincture, instructions for use, planting and caring for the plant

• What are the benefits of horse chestnut?
• For what diseases is horse chestnut used?
• Horse chestnut recipes

The horse chestnut already shows off with its leaves on long petioles. The large leaves of this tree attract attention with their unusual appearance: they are palmate and actually somewhat resemble open palms. This tree can reach a height of even 30 meters.

In May, chestnuts bloom with magnificent “candles” consisting of bell-shaped white and pink flowers. Each cone-shaped candle is up to 30 cm in height, and in turn consists of 20–50 flowers.

Horse chestnut fruits are green in color and have many thorns. These boxes contain a nut, which is popularly called a chestnut. The nut seed is shiny, brown, 2–4 cm in diameter. The fruits ripen in late August-September.

Horse chestnut is a forage plant - according to legend, horse chestnuts were brought to Central Europe by the Turks as feed for horses. The pulp of this nut is white and tender.

The homeland of horse chestnut is the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula: Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria. There this tree grows in the forests.

In Russia, horse chestnut is widely cultivated in the European part of the country for decorating parks and landscaping urban areas.

Flowers, fruits, leaves, bark, nut shells and even the roots of horse chestnut have healing properties.

Flowers and leaves are collected in May. Seeds (nuts) are harvested from the beginning of September. The bark is harvested from the beginning of October.

Botanical description

Horse chestnut is a plant belonging to the Horse chestnut family. It is a tree with a spreading, dome-shaped crown. It reaches a height of 36 meters. The trunk has a cylindrical shape, a powerful root system, and is covered with dark brown bark.

The leaves of the tree are compound, slightly toothed, located on long petioles. The flowers are white, collected in cone-shaped panicles. The size of the inflorescences is no more than 30 cm. The flowers have inclusions of a yellowish tint.

A peculiarity of chestnut flowers is that the spots on them, after the plant secretes nectar, change color from yellow to red. This is a kind of signal for insects that pollinate the crop.

During the ripening period, fruits appear, which are boxes, the surface of which is equipped with thorns. The color of chestnuts is green, the size is 2-4 cm. Inside the fruit there is a seed, sometimes two. The ripening period begins in August-September.

origin of name

Horse or horse chestnut has been known since ancient times. Currently, a large number of explanations for the name of this plant are known. Most often it is referred to as the petioles of fallen leaves. A falling leaf leaves a scar on the branches that resembles a horse's shoe in appearance. In the second case, it is generally accepted that after over-ripening they acquire the very characteristic color of a bay horse. According to a third opinion, the name is associated with dark brown fruits with a light spot reminiscent of a horse's hoof mark.

Many domestic experts also believe that the name was given to the plant solely in order to be able to distinguish inedible fruits from the harvest of edible plants.

Chemical composition

It is not for nothing that horse chestnut is famous for its beneficial properties. After all, it contains a large number of valuable components that are necessary for the human body and help maintain good health.

The plant contains tannins, magnesium, iron, zinc, esculin, escin, isoquercetin, fatty oils, starch, coumarins, amino acids, pectin, glycosides, vitamins C, B1

The healing effects of chestnut

Medicinal properties of horse chestnut:

1. Eliminates tissue swelling.
2. Suppresses the inflammatory process.
3. Reduces blood clotting.
4. Reduces blood viscosity, prevents the formation of blood clots.
5. Strengthens vascular walls, making them less permeable.
6. Normalizes stomach acidity levels.
7. Relieves tissue spasms.
8. Normalizes the functioning of the gallbladder.
9. Reduces pain.
10. Stabilizes the functioning of the liver and heart.
11. Increases vein tone.
12. Improves blood circulation in the body.
13. Lowers blood pressure.
14. Dilates blood vessels.
15. Normalizes blood cholesterol levels.
16. Restores the digestive process.

Chestnut removes harmful substances from the body.
Such a huge range of beneficial properties of chestnut allows the plant to be actively used for medicinal purposes.

Indications for use

Horse chestnut is used in the treatment of the following diseases:

1. Phlebeurysm. The pathology is characterized by thinning of the walls of blood vessels and the formation of venous nodes. The plant helps strengthen vascular tissue, promotes the resorption of nodes, and prevents the formation of blood clots.
2. Pathologies of the respiratory organs. Chestnut-based infusions and decoctions are prepared for washing the nasal passages and gargling. The products have a good antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect, accelerating recovery.
3. Diseases of the digestive organs. Horse chestnut helps in the treatment of gastritis, peptic ulcers, and inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa.
4. Disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The plant fights atherosclerosis, high cholesterol levels in the blood, eliminates swelling, and promotes the resorption of blood clots.
5. Joint and muscle pathologies. Chestnut-based products relieve spasms, reduce pain, and suppress inflammation. All this helps in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, and neuralgia.
6. Uterine bleeding in women. The plant has a hemostatic effect.
7. Inflammation of the genital organs in women. The herb helps suppress inflammatory processes in the uterus and ovaries.

Prostatitis, varicocele in men. Chestnut-based products reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, and relieve pain

Before using the plant, you should consult a specialist.

Medicinal properties of chestnut (video)

Photo gallery

Fruits (seeds) of horse chestnut

The fruits are a real storehouse of useful components and microelements. They contain a small amount of fat and a large amount of carbohydrates and proteins. The fruits also contain about 60% starch, fiber, approximately 15% sugar, B vitamins and minerals such as iron, sodium, potassium, copper and phosphorus.

Horse chestnut leaves

Like any medicinal herb, the foliage has a number of medicinal properties , which allows the use of drugs based on it in the treatment of various vascular diseases, including varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, increased capillary fragility and various inflammatory processes of the veins.

Plant bark

Decoctions based on the bark are widely used in cases of chronic colitis and enterocolitis, as well as difficult-to-treat diarrhea and gastritis with increased acidity of gastric juice. also allows you to get rid of diseases of the spleen , treats bronchitis and various bleedings.

Chestnut flowers

Flowers are used to prepare decoctions, infusions or alcohol tinctures, which are excellent for treating heart disease, liver problems, pulmonary tuberculosis, shortness of breath, anemia and rheumatism. Alcohol tincture is excellent for treating arthrosis and relieving gout pain.

Contraindications and adverse reactions

It is prohibited to use horse chestnut folk remedies in the following cases:

• Acute kidney or heart failure.
• Increased blood clotting.
• Individual intolerance.
• Tendency to an allergic reaction.
• Chronic constipation.
• Childhood.
• Carrying a baby.
• Breast-feeding.

When using the plant, the recommended dosages should be strictly followed. Otherwise, side effects may occur, for example, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, heartburn.

Content

1. Application of chestnut fruit tincture
2. How to make tincture from horse chestnut fruits

• Tinctures for the treatment of joints
• Tincture of chestnut fruits for rheumatism
• Tincture of ammonia for the treatment of blood vessels
• Tincture for the treatment of varicose veins
• Tincture for the treatment of heart diseases
• Tincture for the treatment of male problems
• Tincture for uterine fibroids
• Tincture for the treatment of sinusitis
• Water tincture of chestnut fruit

• Chestnut kvass to improve health
• Contraindications to the use of horse chestnut fruit tincture

Chestnut-based pharmaceutical products

In the pharmacy you can find a liquid horse chestnut extract called “Aescusan”. In addition to this plant, it also contains thiamine.

Properties of the drug:

• tones veins;
• has an antioxidant effect;
• reduces inflammation;
• strengthens vascular walls.

Aescusan
The drug is most often prescribed for problems with veins. Take a long course of up to 3 months. The drug is also used to treat hemorrhoids, cramps, eliminate muscle pain, swelling, and vascular network. For people with thrombophlebitis, the extract will help heal ulcers.

Pharmacies also sell rectal suppositories based on horse chestnut. They are used in the treatment of hemorrhoids and anal fissures.

Home remedies from chestnut

In folk medicine, the following remedies are prepared from horse chestnut.

Tincture

Grind 10 g of flowers or peeled fruits, pour in 100 ml of vodka, let the product brew for 7 days in a dark place. The infusion must be shaken daily. Then strain the medicine and take 30 drops 3 times a day.

The tincture is used to treat hemorrhoids, blood clots, inflammation of the prostate, varicose veins

Water infusion

Pour a teaspoon of crushed bark into 2 cups of cool but boiled water.
Leave the liquid to infuse for 8 hours, strain. Take 2 tablespoons 4 times a day. Used for the treatment of renal pathologies, disorders of the gallbladder, intestines, and also for inflammation in the respiratory system.

Decoction

Take 5 g of flowers and crushed bark, pour 200 ml of boiling water, simmer on low heat for 30 minutes. Then strain and add boiled water to obtain the original volume. Take a tablespoon for the first 2 days, then increase the dose to 3 tablespoons per day.

A decoction is used for inflammatory processes in the veins, hemorrhoids, rheumatism, shortness of breath

Ointment

For external use, an ointment is prepared based on horse chestnut. It helps eliminate tension and fatigue in the legs, suppress inflammation in varicose veins, and relieve tissue swelling.

The product is prepared as follows: pour 5 crushed fruits with 500 ml of vegetable oil, place in a water bath and boil for 60 minutes. Then cool and strain. Apply to affected areas three times daily.

Horse chestnut contains active components that really greatly improve the condition of damaged veins

Oil

Horse chestnut oil can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared independently at home. To do this you will need to stock up on flowers and fruits. You will also need to prepare grape seed oil for the highest therapeutic effect. If it is not available, any other vegetable oil can be used.

Horse chestnut oil

Cooking method:

1. Take 2 tablespoons of crushed raw materials.
2. Pour in 10 tablespoons of grape or other oil.
3. Let it brew for 2 weeks, then strain.

The resulting product is used externally, rubbed into the skin for varicose veins. It helps strengthen vascular walls, remove venous mesh, relieve leg fatigue, and reduce pain.

Chestnut kvass

You can even make kvass from chestnuts, which also has healing properties. To do this you will need the following:

1. Divide 25 fruits into halves.
2. Place them in a bag made of gauze, along with a small stone.
3. Fill a 2.5 liter jar with chilled boiled water.
4. Place a bag of chestnuts there.
5. Add a glass of sugar and the same amount of milk-based whey.
6. Cover the jar with a gauze layer and place in a dark but warm place so that the drink begins to ferment.

After 14 days, the kvass is completely ready for use. Just strain first. Drink for medicinal purposes 2 glasses per day for one month.

With the help of this drink it will be possible not only to quench your thirst, but also to cleanse the body of harmful substances, restore normal functioning of the digestive tract, and strengthen the immune system.

Surgery is not scary

For the treatment of varicose veins the following are used:

• phlebectomy - surgical removal of varicose veins, when they are pulled out through a small incision in the skin,
• laser and radiofrequency surgery are also surgical treatment methods that, unlike traditional surgery, do not require incisions, are performed under local anesthesia and have no physical limitations.

Surgical methods for treating varicose veins and spider veins are the most effective today. Laser and radiofrequency treatments are more often used. They are less traumatic and do not require a rehabilitation process. After the operation, the patient is recommended to take a half-hour walk.

Why you shouldn’t be afraid of treating varicose veins with surgical methods, read more in the article “Varicose veins: should you be afraid of surgery to remove veins?”

Application in cosmetology

Horse chestnut is used in the manufacture of cosmetics. For example, you can find the plant in the following products:

1. Gel against fatigue, feeling of heaviness in the legs. It can be used daily after a working day, long walking in high heels and in other cases when the lower limbs are very tired.
2. Face cream with a rejuvenating effect. The plant helps normalize blood circulation, metabolism in epidermal cells, and also fight free radicals that cause aging.
3. Eye cream. With its help you can get rid of dark circles, bags under the eyes, remove small wrinkles, and increase the elasticity of the dermis.
4. Ointment to combat rosacea. Chestnut helps reduce redness, strengthen blood vessels, and reduce the visibility of small capillaries.
5. Anti-cellulite products. The plant is able to remove excess fluid from the body and normalize lymph flow, which helps eliminate the symptoms of “orange peel.”

Shampoos, hair masks. Chestnut is added to these products to fight dandruff, enhance the growth of curls, and make hair follicles stronger. Cosmetics based on chestnut and other herbs are always preferred by people, as they are the safest.

Application of chestnut fruit tincture

The medicinal properties of chestnut fruits are varied; we described them in detail in the previous article, so now we will pay attention only to some aspects. On our website you can also read reviews about chestnut fruits.

Horse chestnut fruits are widely used to thin the blood, which helps prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques and blood clots, and avoid serious complications. In the treatment of hemorrhoids, horse chestnut fruits normalize digestion, accelerate the healing of the intestinal mucosa, prevent bleeding, and relieve pain.

In the treatment of varicose veins, horse chestnut fruits increase the tone of blood vessels, strengthen their stacks, reduce capillary permeability, activate venous blood circulation, relieve swelling and heaviness in the legs, and eliminate night cramps. They will be of great benefit during the recovery period after surgery. In addition, the use of horse chestnut for the legs allows you to relieve pain and inflammation and increase joint mobility.

The use of horse chestnut for men provides the body with minerals, activates testosterone production and stimulates the outflow of venous blood, which helps treat prostatitis and prostate adenoma. As a result, sexual function normalizes, depression goes away, and mood improves. Chestnut fruits will also help women: they normalize the menstrual cycle, restore hormonal levels, relieve pain in the lower abdomen and lower back, and inhibit the growth of benign tumors.

Let's look at how to prepare chestnut fruit tincture for various diseases.

Preparation and storage

All parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes, since each of them contains enough useful components. The collection of flowers and leaves begins during the flowering period - May-June. The fruits are harvested during ripening, which occurs in the autumn. The twigs and bark of the plant are collected earlier in the spring.

Having prepared the raw material, it is dried. It is recommended to dry leaves and flowers naturally in the open air in a place where direct sunlight does not penetrate. The fruits can also be air dried, but you can also put them in the dryer, especially if the weather outside is damp and cold.

The plant should be stored in a place where moisture does not penetrate. Shelf life – 1 year.

Collection of preparations for tinctures

Before preparing chestnut tincture for joints, it is important to properly collect all its components . Only high-quality ingredients are suitable for use in tinctures, collected at the appropriate time and in an environmentally friendly place (preferably in a forest), away from roads and other objects that pollute the air (for example, industrial buildings). Chestnut blossoms begin in late spring; at this time you can begin to collect its flowers and leaves. The buds are collected in early spring (late March), and the fruits (circular shell with spikes) closer to mid-autumn (early October). One fruit contains 2-3 seeds of bright brown color and flattened shape.

Can I plant it in the garden?

Horse chestnut can be grown in the garden. There are several ways to plant it.

Horse chestnut in the garden

Using nuts

First of all, it is necessary to prepare the material for planting. It is necessary to collect fruits from the ground, sort them out so that there are no damaged, diseased specimens.

Under no circumstances should you pick them from a tree; it is useless to plant unripe nuts.

After collecting the fruits, you need to peel them, soak them in water, and apply gauze on top. After two days, put them in the refrigerator for 2 weeks, covering them with a layer of moistened river sand. This completes the preparation of the material.

For planting, you should prepare a furrow, the depth of which should not exceed 10 cm. Water it with water with the addition of potassium permanganate. Then start planting, placing the nuts at a distance of 50 cm from each other. Then cover the top with old leaves or sawdust.

It needs to be planted in the fall. With the arrival of spring, remove the top layer from the garden bed so that the sprouts can easily break through

Cuttings

Cuttings should be taken from plants that are more than 5 years old. The optimal time for this is the flowering period. But at the same time, you should not cut branches on which flowers have already bloomed.

Make oblique cuts on the cuttings to form roots. Then treat with growth stimulants. Immediately before planting, let the cut dry, then grease the lower part of the cutting with charcoal to prevent it from rotting.

Next, make furrows, water them with manganese solution, and plant the cuttings in the holes, covering them with soil.

Seedlings

Planting of seedlings is carried out in pre-prepared holes. They need to be dug up first, covered with soil and left for several days so that the soil can settle. It is advisable to do this 2 days before planting the plants.

Next, dig holes so that they are slightly larger than the root system of the crop, water well and plant the seedling, covering it with soil. Then water the planting site again.

Chestnut pruning

Horse chestnut is characterized by slow growth in the first time after planting - for about 10 years. Further growth becomes more active, so there is a need to form a crown, which is done by pruning.

The tree should be pruned for the first time before it actively grows, in order to immediately give it the required shape. Then you will need to cut off the dry branches every spring.

After planting, during the first year, all shoots must be cut in half. In the second year, in spring, remove short branches located on the sides.

After trimming, it is recommended to treat the sections with oil paint 3-4 days after the procedure, when these areas have dried at least a little

Top dressing

Fertilizers must be applied regularly, especially during the first time after planting. But it is important to ensure that there is no excess of nutrients. After replanting the plant, you can add superphosphate, ash, and humus.

In the summer, use complex mineral supplements every month.

Thus, horse chestnut is a medicinal plant used for medicinal purposes, as well as in the manufacture of cosmetics. The fruits of the crop are not eaten.

Consumption of horse chestnut during pregnancy and for the treatment of children

It should be remembered that at the moment there is no scientific evidence of the negative effects of the active components of horse chestnut on the body of a pregnant woman and the fetus. However, experts recommend avoiding the use of such folk remedies and pharmacological drugs in the first trimester of pregnancy, as well as when treating preschool children.