Horse chestnut cream can be used to reduce the appearance of varicose veins.
Horse chestnut cream is an herbal ointment made from horse chestnut extract. It is used to relieve pain and inflammation in the muscles, joints, and tendons of the legs. The cream has also been found to be helpful in reducing the appearance of swollen leg veins, called varicose veins, and smaller bumps called spider veins. It can also be used to treat painful muscle spasms or leg cramps.
Horse chestnut cream can be used to treat painful leg cramps.
The Latin name for horse chestnut is aesculus hippocastanum, a tree native to southeastern Europe called the Balkans. The tree does not produce the nut that is commonly used for food. Its leaves, bark and flowers were traditionally used to make medicinal treatments, with the leaves made into a cough syrup and the bark into a tea to reduce fever.
Compression garments can be used in combination with horse chestnut cream to treat leg swelling.
Most commercial horse chestnut preparations sold in the West now use only the seed. The main active ingredient in horse chestnut seed is its aescin extract, also known as escin. Escin is considered an anti-inflammatory and venotonic, that is, a tonic for the veins. When taken internally in capsule form, the astringency of horse chestnut extract should tone and tighten the deciduous veins. Applied externally in cream form, it can increase blood circulation to reduce swelling.
In addition to horse chestnut cream, leg massage is another way to benefit vein health.
The standard application dose of horse chestnut cream is three to four times a day to the affected area. Once signs of improvement begin, applications may be less frequent. Many medical and pharmaceutical professionals believe that aspirin and horse chestnuts should not be used together because they both thin the blood. Excessive use of blood thinners or blood thinners can cause excessive bruising or bleeding.
Some use horse chestnut cream to reduce spider veins.
Many Western herbalists believe that the most effective course of action for treating swollen veins does not involve relying solely on horse chestnut cream. There are several traditional remedies that work well, and compression garments, ice packs, and leg stretches can be helpful and safe remedies to provide additional relief. Leg massage and exercise are also beneficial for vein health.
Raw horse chestnut seeds are toxic. The benefits of the cream have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A rare side effect of using horse chestnut cream is a severe allergic skin reaction and should not be used by people who are pregnant or being treated for kidney or liver conditions. A medical professional should always be consulted before taking any herbal supplement.