Alternate Title

Alternate Title

Category

Synonyms

Aescin, aescine, Aesculaforce®, aescule, aesculetin, buckeye, bongay, chestnut, conkers, conquerors, coumarins, eschilo, escin, escina, escine, fatty acids, fish poison, flavonoids, graine de marronier d'Inde, fraxetin glucoside, fraxin, HCSC, H. vulgare Gaertnhestekastanje, Hippocastabi folium, Hippocastanaceae (family), Hippocastani semen, horsechestnut, horse chestnut seed extract, HCSE, linolenic acid, Marron Europeen, Marronier, NV- 101, palmitic acid, quinines, Rokastaniensamen, rosskastanie, scopoletin glucoside, scopolin, Spanish chestnut, steric acid, sterols, tannins, Venastat®, Venoplant®, Venostasin®.

Background

Horse chestnut seed extract (HCSE) is widely used in Europe for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a syndrome that may include leg swelling, varicose veins, leg pain, itching, and skin ulcers. Although HCSE is traditionally recommended for a variety of medical conditions, CVI is the only condition for which there is strong supportive scientific evidence.

Side effects from HCSE have been similar to placebo in clinical trials. However, due to an increased risk of low blood sugar, caution is advised in children and people with diabetes.

Evidence

Chronic venous insufficiency: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition that is more commonly diagnosed in Europe than in the United States and may include leg swelling, varicose veins, leg pain, itching, and skin ulcers. There is evidence from laboratory, animal, and human research that horse chestnut seed extract (HCSE) may be beneficial to patients with this condition. Studies report significant decreases in leg size, leg pain, itchiness, fatigue, and "tenseness." There is preliminary evidence that HCSE may be as effective as compression stockings.
Grade: A