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Chestnut tincture: beneficial properties, application, contraindications. Horse chestnut: medicinal use of flowers and fruits

Chestnut is not just a tree with beautiful inflorescences, but also a real natural healer. Many useful and medicinal components contain chestnut fruits and flowers - a decoction of this raw material helps to cope with many diseases, inflammatory processes, and has a beneficial effect on the condition of the body as a whole. In order for the result of therapy to be noticeable, it is necessary to properly prepare raw materials and prepare the medicine according to the recipe.

Benefits of chestnut flowers

In the chestnut, all parts of the plant have healing power. There is a lot in the bark ascorbic acid, the fruits are rich in starch and fatty oils. The benefits of chestnut are also recognized by official medicine; it is added to medicines for external and internal use. In folk medicine, raw materials are most often used to prepare tinctures, but if ethanol is contraindicated, then a decoction can be prepared.

The inflorescences contain medicinal mucus, tannins, and pectins. But the main component is escin, which has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic properties, improves metabolic processes, and increases the body’s resistance to stress. Chestnut flowers- one of the best means to strengthen the walls of small and large vessels, they are used to treat diseases caused by radioactive radiation.

What are the benefits of a decoction of chestnut flowers:

improves the condition of blood vessels;
reduces the risk of developing venous pathologies;
eliminates swelling;
strengthens the immune system;
has a rejuvenating, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory effect;
A decoction is useful for hypertension, prostatitis, prostate adenoma, hemorrhoids, frequent nosebleeds;
promotes the resorption of compactions in the mammary glands;
has a mild sedative effect.

To prepare a decoction of chestnut flowers, you can use fresh or dried raw materials. Inflorescences should be collected in May and dried outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. They need to be stirred every day to avoid mold. Such preparations can be stored in glass or paper containers for 12 months.

Recipes for decoctions for veins and against swelling from chestnut inflorescences

There are several recipes for preparing decoctions, each of which is intended to treat certain diseases. You should not increase the indicated dosages - this will not speed up the healing process, but may cause the appearance of allergic reactions, signs of intoxication. Before starting therapy, you should consult your doctor.

Ingredients for a decoction against thrombosis and hemorrhoids:

fresh chestnut inflorescences – 50 g;
water – 250 ml.

Cooking steps:

Pour boiling water over the raw materials.
Place the mixture on water bath, simmer for 20 minutes.
Leave in a closed container for 2-3 hours.
Strain.

Take 75 ml after waking up and before bed. This medicine improves blood circulation and lymph movement; this decoction of horse chestnut flowers promotes the resorption of blood clots and prevents the appearance of varicose veins. At regular use arteries, veins and capillaries become elastic, resilient and strong, swelling disappears. In the recipe, fresh inflorescences can be replaced with 1–1.5 tbsp. l. crushed dried raw materials.

A decoction for the treatment of varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, and venous pathologies consists of the following ingredients:

fresh chestnut inflorescences – 150 g;
chestnut leaves – 150 g;
water – 500 ml.

Cooking steps:

Grind and mix flowers and leaves.
Brew with boiling water.
Simmer the mixture in a water bath for 10–15 minutes.
Filter.
Add water to the original volume.
Cover the container with a lid and put it in a dark room for 24 hours.

Take 30 drops of the medicine three times a day before meals. Duration of therapy is 8 weeks, if necessary, treatment can be continued after month break. This decoction helps with ischemia, atherosclerosis, and cirrhosis of the liver.

Composition of the decoction for the treatment of vascular and venous diseases:

dried chestnut inflorescences – 100 g;
crushed chestnut bark – 5 g;
water – 500 ml.

Cooking steps:

Combine ingredients in an enamel container.
Pour boiling water over it.
Simmer on steam bath 10 minutes.
Filter.

Take the medicine 15 ml twice a day for 3-4 weeks. This medicine can be used as a prophylactic against varicose veins and thrombophlebitis. It is necessary to take the course 1-2 times a year if there is a predisposition to vascular diseases.

Fruits - medicinal properties and uses

Chestnut fruits are often used to improve well-being in case of venous diseases. But their beneficial features it doesn't end there. IN mature nuts contains tannins that accelerate the process of tissue regeneration - burns, scratches and wounds heal faster. Fiber has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive system.

Chestnut fruits reduce blood clotting, prevent the formation of blood clots, help get rid of rheumatism, long-term non-healing ulcers, and varicose veins. With their help you can improve your work digestive tract and kidneys. The peel of the fruit helps with prostatitis - it normalizes testosterone synthesis, eliminates inflammation and swelling, the number of urges to urinate decreases, and as recovery progresses, erection improves.

Chestnut seeds have an anti-inflammatory effect, help with respiratory diseases, a decoction of chestnut fruits eliminates swelling, and is used as an antiseptic and wound-healing agent. The drink has astringent action, it helps with bleeding. This medicine can be used to treat women's diseases, provided there are no contraindications.

Recipes for decoctions based on chestnut fruits

Maximum amount useful substances found in ripe nuts. They need to be collected in the fall, when the peel turns yellow and fully opens. Chestnut seeds are well stored without any pre-treatment - they need to be washed, dried, and placed in paper bags or glass jars.

To prepare a decoction to eliminate bleeding you will need:

chestnut fruits – 5 pcs.;
fresh chestnut leaves – 5 pcs.;
boiling water – 200 ml.

Cooking steps:

Grind the fruits and leaves and mix.
Brew with boiling water.
Place the mixture in a water bath and simmer for 30 minutes.
Cool in a covered container for 5 minutes.
Strain, add warm water to the original volume.

Take 15–30 ml of chestnut fruit decoction daily. Duration of therapy is 4–8 weeks depending on the severity of the pathology. If necessary, treatment can be continued after 1–1.5 months.

Composition of chestnut medicine for the treatment of gynecological pathologies:

fresh fruits – 7 pcs.;
boiling water – 250 ml.

Cooking steps:

Fry the fruits in a frying pan without oil - the peel should brown evenly.
Grind, pour 250 ml of boiling water.
Simmer over low heat for 35 minutes.
Leave in a closed container for 3-5 minutes.
Strain.

Take 30 ml 1-2 times a day. If you replace fried fruits with fresh ones, you will get effective remedy to combat diarrhea. To normalize stool, the medicine should be taken 15 ml after each bowel movement.

To prepare medicine for treatment chronic prostatitis required:

green prickly peel of chestnut fruits - 2 pcs.;
dried chamomile – 10 g;
water –400 ml.

Cooking steps:

Grind the peel and mix with chamomile.
Pour boiling water over it.
Close the container and put it in a dark room for 12 hours.
Strain.
Cook in a steam bath until the volume is reduced by 2 times.

Take 15 ml of decoction three times a day horse chestnut 10 minutes before meals. Duration of therapy is 2–3 months. This medicine can be used for microenemas - carry out the procedure with a warm decoction before bedtime for 14 days.

Chestnut inflorescences and fruits - contraindications

Despite the huge number of beneficial properties, chestnut has certain contraindications; when taking decoctions based on it, some adverse reactions may occur.

Contraindications:

individual intolerance;
problems with blood clotting, thrombocytopenia;
hypotension;
failures in menstrual cycle;
pregnancy, lactation period, age under 6 years;
chronic renal pathologies.

In case of overdose, deterioration of intestinal function, nausea, and dizziness are observed. To avoid poisoning, raw materials should be collected in environmentally friendly places, away from roads, industrial enterprises.

A decoction of chestnut inflorescences and fruits is very effective medicine from various ailments. This drink is especially useful for problems with veins and blood vessels. You can use it only after prior consultation with your doctor, do not forget about contraindications, and follow the indicated dosages.

Horse chestnut is a very beautiful tree that adorns boulevards, alleys, parks and botanical gardens. In May, the flowering period begins, and the tree dresses up with beautiful pyramids. Chestnut flowers and fruits have unique properties and are used to treat many ailments. Let's find out what properties horse chestnut tinctures have and how to use them.

Horse chestnut tincture (from the fruit)

The most valuable are chestnut fruits, which are recommended to be collected in ecologically clean areas, far from roads and industrial enterprises. Medicines prepared on their basis treat many diseases. There are many known recipes traditional medicine using horse chestnut.

Did you know? Chestnut is the only nut that contains vitamin C.

Chemical composition

Tincture of horse chestnut fruit has a healing effect on the body thanks to saponins, tannins in combination with vitamins and other active ingredients. It can increase vascular tone, prevent the formation of blood clots, improve the condition of capillaries, thin the blood, and have an anti-inflammatory effect. His medicinal properties are used not only in folk, but also in traditional medicine.

Indications for use

The tincture is indicated for the treatment of a number of diseases:

Externally, the product can be used for compresses for bruises, hematomas and for wound healing, for joint pain, osteochondrosis, radiculitis. For external use, it is recommended to dilute the product with water in a 1:1 ratio.

Did you know? Indian tribes used the brown peel of the chestnut as a narcotic. Dried and powdered peels and branches can poison fish in water bodies - poachers took advantage of this.

Cooking instructions

To prepare the tincture, you need to grind 100 g of fruits, after removing the brown peel from them.
The resulting slurry is poured with a liter of vodka in a glass container and left for a week in a cool, protected place. sun rays place. It is necessary to shake the tincture once a day during this time.
After 7 days, the product can be filtered and used.

Tincture for external use is prepared from ripe fruits, cut into 4 parts and filled with vodka. Quarters of fruits are placed in glass jar and pour vodka so as to completely cover the fruit, close tightly. Leave it in the sun for the first three days, then place it in a dark place for 40 days at room temperature.
This product removes perfectly painful sensations in joints, treats veins.

Mode of application

The tincture can be used internally, 15 drops three times a day, diluted with water. A very effective remedy for the treatment of various venous pathologies.

As an external remedy, it can be used in the form of compresses on diseased veins or rubbed into joints. It is best to do procedures at night.

Important! Not all chestnuts are edible. Horsetail should not be eaten as it can cause poisoning.

Horse chestnut is contraindicated:

children under 12 years old;
pregnant and lactating women;
suffering from hypotension;
people with chronic liver and kidney diseases;
people c poor clotting blood and prone to bleeding.

Daily portion

Chestnut tincture, like any medicine, can harm the body if it is abused. Do not exceed the recommended doses for each specific prescription.

Overdose can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms: cramps in the fingers, pain in the heart, nausea, heartburn.

Horse chestnut tincture (from flower)

Flowers also contain a large number of valuable components capable of providing healing effect on the human body. They are harvested during the flowering period - in May. Flowers can be dried and stored until next year. Healing tinctures are prepared from fresh and dried flowers, which strengthen and improve the condition of blood vessels and are used for prevention. The product can improve performance and tone the entire body.

Important! Flowers and fruits must be dried at a temperature not exceeding +25° WITH.

Chemical composition

Flowers contain large amounts of flavonoids, pectins, rutin, mucilage and tannins.

Flower-based tincture exhibits its healing properties due to the presence of flavonoids and other chemicals. Flower tincture restores protein in the blood structure, is used in the treatment of tumors and radiation sickness, removes radionuclides from the body.

Indications for use

Flower tincture is very good at thinning the blood and preventing stagnation. venous blood. The product helps treat atherosclerosis and relieves inflammation and joint pain.

It is used internally to improve the functioning of the liver and heart, to treat gastritis and anemia, hemorrhoids.

Cooking instructions

To prepare a healing potion, you need to take 20 g of flowers, pour in 0.5 liters of vodka and place in a dark place. After two weeks, the product can be used externally to treat joints.

An infusion can be prepared for internal use from dried flowers. A tablespoon of flowers is poured into 200 ml of water and brought to a boil. Leave for 6 hours and strain. Store in a dark place in a tightly closed container.

Mode of application

The remedy from the flowers should be rubbed into sore joints twice a day; it has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Chestnut tincture helps cope with varicose veins

Contraindications and side effects

Contraindications for the use of flower-based products are the same as for chestnut tincture. These include childhood, pregnancy, and some chronic diseases and blood diseases.

Daily portion

For internal use, the drug is taken in small sips throughout the day, up to 1 liter. In no case should the dosage be exceeded to avoid the occurrence of side effects, especially people with kidney and liver diseases.

So, one cannot help but appreciate the beneficial properties of horse chestnut. It is very effective at various diseases and has been used for a very long time in folk medicine. There are pharmaceutical forms of medicines based on it and many recipes according to which you can prepare the healing agent yourself.
But tinctures must be used with great caution, preferably under the supervision of a doctor, and not exceed the recommended doses.

The medicinal properties and contraindications of horse chestnut were first tested by a French doctor in 1896. He successfully used this medicine to treat hemorrhoids. And he revealed the main value of chestnut - its venotonic, vascular-strengthening properties. The plant prevents the formation of blood clots in blood vessels. The need for this plant in modern medical practice It's increasing every year. Many medicines can be prepared at home, but no pharmacy can do without ointments, suppositories, capsules, injections, tablets, or tinctures based on horse chestnut. Unfortunately, the number vascular diseases has grown significantly and “rejuvenated”.

Features of horse chestnut

What are the beneficial properties of horse chestnut? What parts of the plant can be used in medical purposes? How to procure raw materials? For what diseases can it be taken? What are the possible contraindications?

Area

There is no need to give a botanical description of horse chestnut. A beloved, beautiful and very ancient tree by many. In the pre-glacial period, entire chestnut groves were found in Europe. Northern Greece is considered the birthplace of this species. The tree is found in the Southern, Eastern, Central Europe, grows in India, North America, East Asia, China, Japan. Chestnut is often grown as an ornamental plant. With its crown and beautiful candles in the spring, the tree decorates city parks, alleys, and gardens.

Water chestnut does not belong to the Sapindaceae family. This is what people call the sweet marsh herb, or Chinese water chestnut. Widely used in cooking, especially in China. Rich in carbohydrates, potassium, manganese, vitamin B6.

Blank

Healing properties are found in all parts of the plant - fruits, fruit peel, leaves, branches, bark, flowers.

When to start harvesting. Horse chestnut flowers are harvested in May-June. It is also recommended to remove leaves during the flowering period. The fruits are collected in the fall, and the bark and branches in early spring.
Drying Features. Leaves and flowers are dried in natural conditions avoiding direct sunlight. The fruits are collected under the trees, shaken off, and picked. You can dry it in natural conditions, but in cold and damp conditions, use electric dryers (however, the temperature should not exceed 25°C).
Storage . All parts of the plant can be stored for no more than 1 year; they must be protected from dampness.

The use of horse chestnut fruits as feed raw materials has been known for a long time. It is also known that the fruits were endowed with special magical powers - you were supposed to carry 3 fruits in your pocket or bag to ward off all diseases. It was only at the end of the 19th century that the medicinal properties of this plant were discovered and they officially began to use it in pharmaceuticals and prepare it as a medicinal raw material.

Healing effect

What are the medicinal properties of chestnut flowers? They contain flavonoids, tannins, mucus, pectins, and glycosides. The most valuable of the flavonoids is quercecin, which stimulates tissue metabolic processes, tones the cardiovascular system, normalizes blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, swelling, and acts as a wound healing agent. Also refers to strong antioxidants.
What is the value of fruits (seeds)? They contain a lot of glycosides, saponins, thiamine, tannins, fatty oil and vitamin C. The most valuable substance the fruits contain the saponin escin, which reduces blood viscosity. The glycosidic substance esculin is also valued. It stimulates the production of antithrombin, strengthens capillaries, reduces their permeability, and improves blood flow to the veins.

The same beneficial substances are found in the bark, branches and leaves of the tree.

Pharmachologic effect:

Indications for use

For what symptoms and diseases does treatment with horse chestnut give a positive result?

Phlebeurysm. A common disease in which the venous walls become thinner, the lumen of the vessels increases, and nodes form. Varicose veins are most often diagnosed in the lower extremities, although pathology can be in the esophagus, rectum, and spermatic cord. Horse chestnut for varicose veins strengthens the walls of capillaries and veins, resolves nodes, and prevents the formation of blood clots.
ENT organs. Decoctions and infusions are used to rinse the nose for sinusitis, and to disinfect the nasal passages for a runny nose. Also, these products are good antiseptics for the mouth and throat.
Respiratory system . At colds, ARVI, flu, bronchitis, tracheitis, the remedy can be taken orally for cough. Chestnut relieves inflammation of the respiratory system well.
Digestive system. The product is effective for diseases of the spleen, liver, pancreas, gastritis with increased acidity. It has a beneficial effect on digestion and relieves inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa.
The cardiovascular system. It is useful to drink for atherosclerosis and high blood cholesterol. Relieves spasms in blood vessels, indicated for heart diseases, high blood pressure. For thrombophlebitis, it relieves pain, swelling, and resolves blood clots.
Joints and muscles. Used externally to treat rheumatism, neuralgia, arthritis.
For women . Since the plant has hemostatic properties and promotes blood clotting, it is prescribed to stop uterine bleeding. For inflammation of the female genital organs, they can be prescribed complex therapy douching and baths of fruit crusts.
For men . The product is useful to drink for inflammation of the prostate gland. Another indication for use is varicocele - dilation of the veins in the spermatic cord of the inguinal canal. The disease leads to blood stagnation, a decrease in the number and motility of sperm, which can lead to male infertility. Treatment depends on the severity and stage of the disease. Surgical treatment is usually prescribed.

As a hemostatic agent, horse chestnut is used not only for uterine, but also for nasal, pulmonary, and intestinal bleeding.

What are the contraindications for horse chestnut? Acute renal, heart failure; increased blood clotting; individual intolerance and allergy to chestnut saponin (escin); gastritis with decreased secretion; chronic constipation. Cases of poisoning of children with horse chestnut have been observed, so its use internally in childhood forbidden. Also, you should not take this herbal medicine during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.

Preparation and use at home

What are the uses of horse chestnut in folk medicine, the pharmaceutical industry, and scientific medicine?

Pharmacy drugs

Horse chestnut preparations are freely sold in pharmacies. However, before using them, a mandatory consultation with a doctor is required.

Liquid extract of horse chestnut “Aescusan”. The drug contains horse chestnut extract and thiamine. The product has a pronounced venotonic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and capillary protective effect. It is prescribed for chronic venous insufficiency, drink for a long course (up to 3 months) under the strict supervision of a doctor. The product also helps with hemorrhoids, cramps, muscle pain, swelling; eliminates spider veins, hematomas, heals ulcers with thrombophlebitis. It is drunk to prevent atherosclerosis, stroke, and thrombophlebitis. Except liquid extract, tablets or ointment, Escusan gel are offered.
Candles with dry extract of horse chestnut bark. Prescribed for hemorrhoids and rectal fissures. It is often used in combination with other herbs - belladonna, chamomile, yarrow, gorse, galangal.
Horse chestnut ointment. An ointment option can be a cream, gel, or foot balm. The main indications for use are thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, prevention of thrombosis, edema, vein damage, post-traumatic care. Cannot be used when open wounds, rashes, ulcers on the skin. Ointments can only be plant origin with the addition of other herbs. For example, chestnut and mint go well together. This ointment is used for fatigue, heaviness, and swelling in the legs. Often the plant is combined with leaves of grapes and ginkgo trees, as well as the synthetic substance troxerutin.

Decoction

Most often, a decoction is prepared from tree bark. It is taken for diarrhea, cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, inflammation of the liver and spleen, shortness of breath, anemia. Helps with digestive disorders, gastritis with high acidity, hemorrhoids.

Preparation of bark decoction

Take 1 tbsp. l. chestnut bark.
Pour a glass of boiling water.
Boil for 1 minute.
Leave for 1 hour.

Before use, strain the decoction. Take 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times a day after meals. Externally used to treat the throat and sinuses.

Preparation of fruit decoction

Take 20 g of crushed fruits (along with the fruit rind).
Fill with 2 glasses of water.
Boil for 10 minutes.
Leave for 4 hours.

Before use you need to strain. This decoction is often used externally in the form of compresses and lotions for treatment purulent wounds, ulcers with thrombophlebitis. It is also prescribed for douching when uterine bleeding, sitz baths and enemas for hemorrhoids.

Infusion

The infusion can be prepared from bark, fruits, flowers, leaves, collected or separately.

Recipe for infusion from fruit peels

Take 1 tbsp. l. crushed raw materials.
Pour a glass of boiling water.
Leave for 1 hour.
Strain.

This infusion is taken 1 tsp. 3 times a day after meals.

Bark infusion recipe

Take 1 tbsp. l. crushed bark.
Pour 2 cups boiling water.
Leave for 8 hours.
Strain.

This infusion is taken before meals - ½ glass 4 times a day. Helps with internal bleeding, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal diseases.

Fresh Juice

When the chestnuts bloom, you can cook Fresh Juice. To do this, you need to grind the flowers using a meat grinder and squeeze out the juice through cheesecloth. You can drink the juice twice a day, 20–30 drops, diluting them in ¼ glass of water. This remedy is most effective for varicose veins in the legs and hemorrhoids.

Tincture

What is the use of horse chestnut tincture? This is an effective medicine for diseases of the joints and muscles. It is used in the form of rubbing for arthrosis, neuralgia, rheumatism, gout.

Chestnut flower tincture

Take 5 tbsp. l. flowers.
Pour in ½ liter of vodka (40% alcohol).
Leave for 14 days.
Strain.

This is an effective pain reliever for joint and muscle pain.

Tincture of chestnut fruits with vodka

Grind 10 ripe fruits.
Pour in ½ liter of vodka.
Strain.

Used for rubbing, after the procedure it is recommended to insulate painful areas.

Oil

Chestnut oil extract can be purchased at a herbal pharmacy, but you can also prepare it yourself from the flowers and fruits of the tree. To enhance therapeutic effect It is recommended to make an extract with grape seed oil. But you can use any other vegetable oil.

How to make horse chestnut oil

Take 2 tbsp. l. crushed raw materials.
Pour 10 tbsp. l. grape seed oils.
Leave for 14 days in a warm place.
Strain.

It has a venotropic effect and is used externally (rubbed into the skin) in courses of 10 days. Helps not only with varicose veins, but also strengthens the walls of capillaries, eliminates vascular mesh on the face, relieves leg fatigue, muscle and joint pain. Acts as a lymphatic drainage agent, enhances the outflow of lymph, so it is used for cellulite and swelling.

Honey

It is known that chestnut is an excellent honey plant. Moreover, horse chestnut and seed chestnut give different varieties honey, but both are valued as medicine. What are the features of chestnut honey?

From horse chestnut. Transparent, liquid, crystallizes quickly, it is usually not left for bees for the winter. Therefore, all honey is considered commercial.
From seed chestnut. Tart, bitter taste. Dark in color, thin, crystallizes slowly. The aroma is reminiscent of chestnut flowers. Leave it for the bees to spend the winter.
Medicinal use. Like any honey, it has biocidal properties and helps with inflammation of the respiratory system, digestion, and urinary system. Supports the cardiovascular system, normalizes arterial pressure. It is taken orally varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis. A powerful natural antioxidant that helps eliminate toxins and waste.

Read more about it in our other article.

Use in cooking

Horse chestnuts are used only for medicinal purposes; they are not suitable for consumption - they are bitter and astringent in taste. Sometimes they are mixed into animal feed in the form of flour. Edible chestnuts include fruits from other tree families. The most famous of them is the sowing chestnut, or true, edible, noble (belongs to the beech family). This tree loves a humid, warm subtropical climate - the Mediterranean, Asia Minor, the Caucasus. In Russia, this tree can be found on Black Sea coast, more often in the Tuapse region. For example, in France, where they love the roasted fruits of this tree, a separate variety of chestnut was developed - kugurdon. Every year in France, the Chestnut Festival is celebrated in October. In France, these fruits are eaten raw, fried, boiled, baked, and added to meat and vegetable dishes. Delicacies are prepared from them - ice cream, pastries, cakes, sweets.

Horse chestnut is the first remedy for diseases of cardio-vascular system. It is mainly used for varicose veins, including hemorrhoids, and for rheumatic and gouty pain. This is a valuable raw material not only in folk medicine, but also in pharmaceuticals. It is used to prepare medications in the form of liquid extract, ointments, balms, gels, tablets, rectal suppositories.

Many peoples used various herbs and plants for medicinal purposes. This tradition extends to all continents of the globe. One of these medicinal plants is horse chestnut. Traditionally, the fruits of this beautiful tree have been used to treat varicose veins, men's diseases, to improve blood circulation and many other health problems. If you are interested in learning more about the medicinal properties of horse chestnut, read on.

What does horse chestnut look like and where does it grow?

The beautiful horse chestnut tree, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which have been known for a long time, is actively used in various fields of human activity. Wild chestnut Eastern Europe No. Places of natural growth are the southern parts of the Balkans (Greece, Bulgaria, Albania). Wild chestnut is cultivated everywhere. It is decorative and medicinal plant. It can easily be found in parks and on the streets, where in the spring its snow-white panicle inflorescences line the alleys of cities and towns.

Horse chestnut is a deciduous tree, with an average height of 25 meters, belonging to the Sapindaceae family. The scientific name of the tree is Aésculus. It is also called the stomach.

It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Tolerates partial shade.

The leaves of the tree are large, complex, palmate on long petioles, which allows it to form a thick, dense crown.

Chestnut flowering begins in May and lasts for more than 2-3 weeks. Bell-shaped flowers white or light Pink colour collected in a cone-shaped inflorescence.

The fruits, called chestnuts, appear in the fall from September to October. Nuts arranged in a spiked capsule, each of which may contain one or two fruits, Brown, brilliant.

The name horse makes it clear that humans should not eat it. Eating horse chestnut will lead to serious poisoning, but the plant is actively used in cattle breeding (horse feed).

According to the second version, it received its name for the similarity of the color and shine of the nut shell with the color of bay horses.

The flowers and fruits of the plant not only decorate the streets and alleys, but also have many medicinal properties. This tree is included in the pharmacopoeia of many countries.

The plant is used in medicine in the form of an extract (chestnut extract) in tablets, dragees, drops, ointments, and in folk medicine - as decoctions, tinctures, ointments. The plant has also found a place for use in cosmetology - shampoos, creams, masks.

Why horse chestnut is useful - chemical composition

Depending on the part of the plant that is used in treatment (horse chestnut seeds, leaves, bark or inflorescences), quantitative and biochemical composition nutrients may vary. But at the same time, all parts of the plant necessarily contain bioflavonoids (quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin), which exhibit P-vitamin activity.

These bioflavonoids belong to the group biologically active substances(BAS), the main effect of which is aimed at reducing the fragility and permeability of capillaries and blood vessels. These dietary supplements also prevent the formation of plaques on blood vessels and lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

In addition, bioflavonoids have antioxidant properties and protect cells from free radicals, preventing premature aging.

They relieve swelling, improve blood circulation, normalize blood pressure, have an antibacterial effect, increase immunity, and inhibit development cancer cells. Bioflavonoids relieve allergy attacks and have a mild analgesic effect.

Bioflavonoids are not the only beneficial substances found in all parts of the plant. In addition to them, the inflorescences, leaves and bark contain the glycoside esculin) and saponin (escin. These substances help reduce blood viscosity and reduce the likelihood of blood clots forming.

A whole range of medicinal substances are found in other parts of the plant. Chestnut fruits contain:

Starch (up to 50%);

Fixed oils;

Proteins (8-10%);

Tannins (about 13%);

Vitamins C, I1 and K;

Mono- and disaccharides;

Catechin tannins;

Minerals – calcium, selenium, iron, nickel, zinc, boron, iodine and others.

Chestnut seeds also contain glycosides - esculin and fraxin.

The leaves contain chemical compounds such as:

Flavonoids;

Glycosides.

They contain provitamin A in the form of a carotenoid - lutein.

The bark of young chestnut branches contains coumarin substances (esculoside, esculin, fraxin and esculetin). These compounds also have the properties of vitamin P, which is actively involved in improving vascular permeability, promoting vascular resistance.

Found in the bark:

Tannins;

Phytosterols;

Mono- and disaccharides;

Fixed oils;

Vitamins C, B1 and K.

Flowers (inflorescences) contain kaempheroglycoside, rutin and quercitrin, which are classified as bioflavonoids. They contain triterpene saponins (escin, choline), purine derivatives - adenine, guanine, adenosine - compounds that make up the DNA chain.

In addition to these compounds, the inflorescences contain:

Tannins.

Horse chestnut medicinal properties and uses

Horse chestnut has an anti-inflammatory effect. Thinning the blood, reducing its clotting and strengthening the walls blood vessels– the main medicinal properties of horse chestnut, which are still relevant today.

He is capable of:

Reduce capillary permeability;

Strengthen the walls of blood vessels and capillaries;

Reduce bad cholesterol levels;

Improve blood circulation;

Have an astringent effect;

Remove salts and water from the body.

It is traditionally used for:

Varicose veins;

Chronic venous insufficiency;

Thrombophlebitis;

Hypertension;

Bruising;

Hemorrhoidal bleeding;

Fluid retention with varicose veins, in postoperative period, sports injuries, radiation therapy;

Fever;

Prostatitis and prostate adenoma;

Vascular disorders;

Wrinkles.

The fruits of the plant are used for treatment:

Thrombosis;

Atherosclerosis;

Increased blood clotting;

Fever;

Prostate adenomas.

Leaves are used to treat:

Menstrual pain;

Relieving swelling in fractures and sprains;

Joint pain.

The branches are brewed for malaria and dysentery.

The bark is used for:

Varicose veins;

Hemorrhoids;

Inflammation of the veins - phlebitis.

Decoctions of fruit leaves are used for diseases of the liver, gall bladder and spleen. They improve digestion and relieve pain.

To improve digestion, relieve inflammation of the mucous membrane gastrointestinal tract preparations based on chestnut fruits and bark are used.

Particularly suitable for use with therapeutic purpose takes alcohol or vodka tinctures based on chestnut seeds. It can be used for:

Boils;

Headache;

Insomnia;

Increased excitability;

Venous insufficiency;

Bronchitis.

Its active chemical substances It can very quickly relieve inflammation in the bronchi and improve sputum discharge.

An extract based on horse chestnut helps improve blood circulation in the veins, increases their tone, relieves inflammation and swelling.

Horse chestnut medicinal uses

After studying the healing properties of chestnut, it becomes clear that its use in medicine has no analogues. Each part of the plant contains a whole range of useful substances, and therefore it is widely used in official medicine and pharmaceuticals. Therapy using horse chestnut preparations for diseases of increased capillary fragility, inflammation of the veins, varicose veins, and thrombophlebitis is very effective.

The presence of biologically active substances in fruits, leaves and inflorescences allows preparations based on horse chestnut to be used in the treatment of neuralgia, since the plant has a calming, hypnotic effect on the body.

The drug promotes tissue nutrition by improving blood circulation in the vessels. A chestnut-based product is used in the treatment of thrombosis that occurs in the postoperative period, inflammation, and thromboembolism.

Pharmacological agents that include this plant are effective for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. They eliminate the symptoms of diarrhea and normalize the processes of bile secretion from the gallbladder. Preparations based on chestnut are used for sore throat, bronchial disease and tonsillitis.

It was experimentally found that the most effective drug is an alcoholic extract of seeds, which at the same time also has the least toxicity. One of the main effects on the body is the glycoside escin, with a pronounced venotropic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effect.

From pharmaceuticals For oral administration highlight:

Aqueous-alcoholic extract of Aescusan;

Tablet drug Esflazid;

Anavenol - available in the form of drops or tablets.

For external use, creams and gels containing horse chestnut extract are used: Venitan cream and Dr. Theis, Essaven gels.

Horse chestnut use in folk medicine

The plant is very popular in folk medicine in different countries.

Glycoside esculin - one of the main substances in the composition of horse chestnut helps reduce vascular permeability, plays important role in stimulating the antithrombic activity of blood serum, where it enhances the production of plasma protein factor, which inhibits blood coagulation processes. Promotes increased blood flow to the veins.

Horse chestnut tincture from the fruit has an anti-inflammatory effect. From the peel of the seeds - analgesic and hemostatic.

Infusions from the bark, along with the listed actions, have an astringent and anticonvulsant effect.

Chestnut bark decoction is used as an internal and external remedy for intestinal problems, hemorrhoids, ARVI, malaria, uterine bleeding, rheumatism and other diseases.

Horse chestnut application in cosmetology

Through experiments it has been proven that cosmetical tools based on chestnut extract, help protect the skin from the oxidative effects of free radicals, slow down the aging process of the skin, strengthen the walls of the skin capillaries, normalize microcirculation in the capillaries and vessels of the face, soothe the skin. In addition, shampoos based on chestnut extract affect the condition hair follicles and dermis of the scalp, helping to strengthen hair and prevent hair loss.

Horse chestnut has UV protection and a moisturizing effect and is therefore used as a component in tanning creams. There are many anti-cellulite body wraps available as it improves blood circulation.

Some foot creams contain a plant extract, which is necessary to combat varicose veins and relieve swelling.

It is important to remember that cosmetics containing chestnut should be stored in tightly closed containers and in a cool place.

Horse chestnut contraindications

Any drug or traditional medicine has contraindications for use. Horse chestnut preparations were no exception.

In case of overdose, symptoms such as nausea, feeling of heat, allergic rashes on the skin, palpitations, tachycardia.

For menstrual irregularities;

Carrying a child and breastfeeding;

Hypotension (low blood pressure);

Atonic constipation;

Gastritis with low acidity;

Thrombocytopenia;

Kidney failure;

Disorders of the blood clotting process;

Bleeding;

Some liver and heart diseases;

Epilepsy;

Allergies to latex.

It is prohibited to treat children with any medicines based on it without consulting a doctor.

It should be borne in mind that any self-medication without consultation with a specialist can be fraught with a deterioration in health. There should be moderation in everything; you should not increase the dosage of drugs in order to quickly recover, as this can harm your health and aggravate the development of the disease.

To take drugs based on horse chestnut, you should take blood tests for prothrombin - a complex protein or blood clotting factor (PTI in a blood test).

While taking drugs based on it, you should periodically donate blood for prothrombin. If the analysis shows numbers below the norm (the norm is 78-142% according to Quick), then take medicinal products should be stopped immediately. Otherwise, their further use may lead to severe bleeding.

Side effects during treatment may include:

Allergic reactions: rash, itchy skin, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat;

You should immediately stop taking the medicine if you experience:

Severe redness of the skin;

Common side effects may include:

Stomach upsets;

Headache;

Dizziness;

Severe itching.

Horse chestnut products may interact with some medications. Avoid using raw fruits, leaves, bark, flowers inside. They are far from safe and can cause serious side effects. In case of accidental ingestion, immediately contact medical institution and rinse the stomach.

Its drugs may interact with other drugs:

To reduce blood sugar;

Taking alpha lipoic acid;

Additives with chromium;

Fenugreek;

Devil's Claw;

Ginseng;

Guar gum.

Avoid using horse chestnut with herbal or health supplements that may also affect blood clotting:

Angelica (angelica),

Capsicum;

Carnation;

Ginkgo biloba;

Ginseng;

Red clover;

Do not take horse chestnut without medical advice if you are also taking:

Blood thinners;

Diclofenac;

Ibuprofen;

Indomethacin

and some others. This list is not complete. There may be other drugs that may interact with horse chestnut, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Horse chestnut like medicinal plant has powerful healing properties. But we must not forget about its contraindications and side effects. Although in general it is considered safe for treatment, you need to treat it wisely and then it will help you improve your health and get rid of health problems.

Horse medicinal properties of preparations from horse chestnut

Modern medicine is increasingly resorting to ancient and proven recipes. Patients try to prefer natural preparations medicines. Perhaps this is correct, because such compounds cause much less damage to the human body than various chemical compounds. One of the famous healing agents are chestnut fruits. Their application is quite wide. It can be both internal and external.

This article will provide you with information on how to properly prepare and harvest chestnut fruits. The use of this remedy in folk medicine will be described below. You will be able to find out what problems and diseases it eliminates.

Chestnut: fruit of the tree

If we talk about the components from which folk natural medicines, then these are not only dense round chestnuts. Currently, the benefits of the tree bark, its inflorescences, leaves and green fruit membranes have been proven. Always assemble the described components in different time. The flowering period is the spring months, particularly May. It is then that the inflorescences and leaves from the plant are carefully cut off.

It is mainly collected during this period and contains the maximum amount of useful substances. If we talk directly about the fruits, they are harvested in late summer or early autumn. It all depends on the region in which the trees grow. In warm zones this period occurs in September-October. In colder weather - for July-August. After assembly, the chestnut fruits, photos of which are presented to your attention in the article, are carefully processed. They can be dried, crushed, boiled or infused. It all depends on the purpose of use.

Chestnut fruits: properties

The plant gained popularity in folk medicine many decades ago. In the 18th century, chestnut extracts were first used in traditional medicine. Currently, you can find a lot of preparations containing this plant.

The medicinal properties of chestnut fruits can be listed for a very long time. The plant has antiseptic, astringent, healing, antipyretic and regenerating effects. It also has a beneficial effect on the blood, blood vessels and heart. It is impossible not to note the medicinal properties of chestnut in relation to the stomach, intestines and general digestive system. The fruit of the tree is widely used for treatment neurological problems and diseases respiratory system. Skin pathologies are often eliminated with the help of a plant such as chestnut (its fruit). Cosmetology is a separate branch of medicine in which the described product is used.

Who is the plant contraindicated for use?

Treatment with chestnut fruits almost always has positive reviews. This is due to the fact that it contains a huge amount of tannins, vitamins (especially C), coumarin glycosides (fraxin, esculin and others), starch, fatty oil. However, such components are contraindicated for some people. That is why, before resorting to traditional medicine on your own, you need to visit a doctor and consult with him.

Chestnut fruits (photo below) and potions made from them should not be used during pregnancy and after childbirth. During lactation, it is better to avoid such therapy, since there is no data on the effect of the plant on the child. The prepared products should not be taken if platelets are low or if there is bleeding. This can be life-threatening. Chestnut (fruit) is not used for exacerbations of kidney and liver diseases. If the patient suffers from gastritis, a violation acid balance stomach, then it is worth warning him about the dangers of such treatment.

Chestnut fruits (the use of medicines prepared from them) can lead to the development of limb cramps, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and stool disorders. If you encounter such signs, then categorically refuse traditional treatment and seek help from traditional medicine.

Horse chestnut (fruit): application in various fields

As you already know, the prepared medicine can be used internally and as local remedy. It all depends on the pathology and accompanying symptoms. The most popular remedy is chestnut tincture. They are preparing her different ways, however, all uses can be divided into two. In the first case, the drug is taken orally by drip. In the second, it is applied to the surfaces of the body.

Chestnut lotions and decoctions are also very popular. To prepare them, bark, peel and flowers are used. The ingredients are first dried and crushed.

An important point in the use of chestnut is the ban on its use. It must be remembered that the fruits of this tree are inedible. They are very dangerous to health in their usual form. If a person consumes several fruits, it may occur severe poisoning(up to fatal outcome). It is necessary to protect the prepared raw materials from children and pets. Domestic rodents and dogs are especially common victims of chestnut. Let's consider what horse chestnut (fruit) is used in folk medicine.

Diseases of veins and blood vessels

Chestnut (the fruit of the tree) is very often used to treat hemorrhoids and varicose veins. The main quality of the plant is that it helps thin the blood and relieve inflammatory process. The most useful parts of the tree for these purposes are the brown fruits and flowers. A tincture is prepared from the latter. The fruits can be used as raw materials for a compress.

To prepare the tincture, you need to take round brown chestnut fruits (5 pieces) and 50 grams of dried inflorescences. All this is placed in an enamel or glass container and filled with vodka. You need to infuse the medicine for two weeks in a dark place, shaking daily. This drug is applied to dilated veins lower limbs using a cotton swab twice a day.
Take fresh inflorescences and squeeze the juice out of them. The resulting composition should be stored in the refrigerator, taking 30 drops daily. Remember that it is better to carry out manipulation before meals.
If you suffer from hemorrhoids or have ulcers on your legs, you can use chestnut peel crushed into dust. To do this, clean the skin and dry it. Next, grind it and store it in a dry place. Sprinkle on affected areas daily before going to bed, then apply a bandage.

Viral and bacterial infections of the respiratory tract

Chestnut (fruit) can cure diseases such as tracheitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis. In some cases, the plant even helps to cope with pulmonary tuberculosis. For any illness that is accompanied by a cough, the effect of the plant is observed. However, you need to know how to prepare it.

Take dried tree bark and grind it. Pour two glasses of chilled water over the fruit and let stand for 8 hours. After this, you must strain the drink. Take 3 tablespoons orally up to 6 times a day.
Grind the dry ones. Take one spoon of raw materials and pour two glasses of boiling water over it. Wait 10 minutes and strain. Add two tablespoons of honey to the resulting liquid. Drink a quarter glass three times a day.

Women's problems

The chestnut plant is often used in gynecology - a tree whose fruits have important property normalize hormonal background. So, similar traditional medicines prescribed for irregularities in the menstrual cycle, long absence menstruation, infertility, mastopathy and so on. Remember that you must consult a gynecologist before starting the correction.

Prepare 8 dried tree flowers and pour them hot water. Bring the solution to a boil and remove from the stove. After this, strain and leave overnight. The next day, take one sip every hour. Next, take a break for two days and build a diagram.
For cycle disorders, a tincture is usually recommended. To prepare it, take whole chestnut fruits in a ratio of 1 to 100 milliliters of vodka. Mix the ingredients and leave for one month. You can take the composition 5 drops three times a day, starting from the 16th day of the cycle. Remember that the drug contains alcohol. Before starting such a correction, gynecologists advise taking tests to determine the level of hormones in the blood and getting recommendations from a specialist.

Joint diseases: inflammation and injury

Horse chestnut fruits have different properties. Among them there is also an anesthetic. If you suffer from rheumatism, arthritis, inflammation of interarticular joints, then chestnut will help you. In such situations, the plant can be used both internally and externally. To enhance the effect, these two schemes are combined.

Take 10 green fruits and cut them lightly. Place in a container and fill with a bottle of vodka. Wait a week and then strain. This tincture is taken orally, 20 drops during meals. If it is impossible to drink ethanol, make compresses from the resulting tincture once a day for two hours.
Grind 5 peeled chestnut fruits into flour, add rich cream or butter. If possible, you can use it. In this case, the effect will be maximum. Rub the sore areas before going to bed, then wrap them with a cloth.

Stool disorders: diarrhea and diarrhea

As you already know, chestnut fruits contain tannins and astringents. They relieve inflammation and improve intestinal motility. For diarrhea, this medicine helps quickly and effectively.

Grind a teaspoon of bark and pour two cups of boiling water over it. Wait until the broth has cooled, then strain. Take 50 milliliters before each meal.
Peel the green peel from the chestnut fruits and mash the latter in a mortar. Add half a glass hot water and leave for 6 hours. After this, remove the peel. Take a teaspoon three times a day.

When treating diarrhea with the described remedy, you need to carefully monitor your intestinal function. As soon as the condition returned to normal, folk remedy cancelled. Excessive use of the drug can lead to chronic constipation.

Use in cosmetology: chestnut for facial skin and hair

Recently, the plant has been very often used to prepare masks, spot treatments and hair components. As you already know, chestnut has antioxidant properties. This helps women using this composition keep their skin young and beautiful. Even in a polluted and dusty city, a representative of the fairer sex can have beautiful colour faces. Chestnut and its fruits help get rid of acne, blackheads, skin unevenness, and also narrow enlarged pores.

For the face, you can prepare a variety of masks with chestnut. For these purposes, fresh inflorescences and fruits of the tree are crushed. Depending on the skin type, additional ingredients are added: honey and egg yolk(for and cucumber (for fatty); lemon and zinc paste(for problematic) and so on. Before manipulation, be sure to conduct a sensitivity test and make sure there is no allergic reaction.

Using chestnut for hair helps reduce hair loss and enhance growth. As a result, the hair becomes soft, shiny and manageable. Eliminates problems such as dandruff, seborrhea, increased fat content and the like. After each wash, rinse your curls with chestnut decoction. To prepare it, take whole fruits and place them in an enamel bowl with water. Bring to a boil and wait 10 minutes. Cool and strain.