Horse chestnut fruits of green color are covered with thorns. They hide a nut-seed (shiny, brown), which the people call chestnut. The fruits ripen at the end of August-September. Brought to Central Europe by the Turks as fodder for horses. The flesh of this nut is white and tender.
Medicinal properties of horse chestnut are determined by its chemical composition. The seeds contain triterpene saponins (escin), flavonoids and isoflavonoids, tannins, vitamins, glycosides, esculin, fraxin.
The main properties of horse chestnut are venoprotective, venotonic, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic effects. In traditional medicine, the following properties are also noted: analgesic, hemostatic, antipyretic, antitumor, antioxidant.
Important qualities of chestnut include the ability to reduce blood viscosity, prevent blood clots, and improve microcirculation in the veins. With varicose veins, horse chestnut thins the blood, increases vascular permeability, and strengthens capillary walls. It also disinfects, promotes accelerated tissue healing.
Homeopathic preparations are made from freshly cleaned horse chestnut fruits, which are successfully used for the treatment of diseases associated with venous blood circulation disorders: hemorrhoids, trophic ulcers of the lower leg and dry catarrh of the nasopharynx.
The shell of the chestnut fruit is used to treat male problems (adenoma, prostatitis). The brown skin of the chestnut contains a powerful hemostatic substance, which is a good remedy for uterine bleeding not caused by malignant abnormalities. A brewed powder made from roasted chestnut kernels is used to treat uterine fibroids.
Chestnut fruit tinctures successfully treat rheumatism, gout, help fight inflammation of the joints, relieve pain. With leukemia, brain tumor, horse chestnut provides effective support for the body.
