Horse Chestnut - Aesculus Hippocastanum And Its Role In Herbal Medicine

Other Common Names: Atkestanesi, Buckeye, Castagno D'India, Castanheiro Da India, Castano De India, Castano De Indias, Castogno D'India, Chataigne De Cheval, Common Horse Chestnut, Eschilo, Horse Chestnut, Ippocastano, Marronnier D'Inde, Paarde Kastanje, Rosskastanie, Seiyo-Toti-No-Ki, Spanish Chestnut, Wilde Kastanje, Aesculus hippocastanum

Range: It is a native of northern and central parts of Asia. Britain; France; Germany; Italy; Mexico; Netherlands; Portugal; Spain; Turkey; USA

Habitat: Mountain woods.

It is an entirely different tree from the Sweet Chestnut, to which it is not even distantly related. The name Aesculus (from esca, food) was applied originally to a species of oak, which according to Pliny, was highly prized for its acorns, but how it came to be transferred to the Horse Chestnut is very uncertain; perhaps, as Loudon suggests, it was given ironically, because its nuts bear a great resemblance, externally, to those of the Sweet Chestnut, but are unfit for food. Hippocastanum (the specific name of the common sort) is a translation of the common name, which was given - Evelyn tells us - 'from its curing horses brokenwinded and other cattle of coughs.' Some writers think that the prefix 'horse' is a corruption of the Welsh gwres, meaning hot, fierce, or pungent, e.g. 'Horse-chestnut' = the bitter chestnut, in opposition to the mild, sweet one.

The tree is chiefly grown for ornamental purposes, in towns and private gardens and in parks, and forms fine avenues, which in the spring, when the trees are in full bloom, present a beautiful sight.

Aescin, is the active ingredient in Horse Chestnut seed. Horse chestnut is an astringent, anti-inflammatory herb that helps to tone the vein walls which, when slack or distended, may become varicose, hemorrhoidal or otherwise problematic. The plant also reduces fluid retention by increasing the permeability of the capillaries and allowing the reabsorption of excess fluid back into the circulatory system. This plant is potentially toxic if ingested and should not be used internally without professional supervision. Alterative, analgesic, haemostatic and vulnerary.

The bark is anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, febrifuge, narcotic, tonic and vasoconstrictive. It is harvested in the spring and dried for later use.

The plant is taken in small doses internally for the treatment of a wide range of venous diseases, including hardening of the arteries, varicose veins, phlebitis, leg ulcers, hemorrhoids and frostbite. It is also made into a lotion or gel for external application.

A tea made from the bark is used in the treatment of malaria and dysentery, externally in the treatment of lupus and skin ulcers.

A tea made from the leaves is tonic and is used in the treatment of fevers and whooping cough.

The seeds are decongestant, expectorant and tonic. They have been used in the treatment of rheumatism, neuralgia and hemorrhoids. They are said to be narcotic and that 10 grains of the nut are equal to 3 grains of opium.

An oil extracted from the seeds has been used externally as a treatment for rheumatism. A compound of the powdered roots is analgesic and has been used to treat chest pains.

The buds are used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Failure to learn by experience', 'Lack of observation in the lessons of life' and hence 'The need of repitition'.

The flowers are used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Persistant unwanted thoughts' and 'Mental arguments and conversations'.

Unfortunately the seed is also rich in saponins, these must be removed before it can be used as a food and this process also removes many of the minerals and vitamins, leaving behind mainly starch. See also the notes on toxicity. The seed contains up to 40% water, 8 - 11% protein and 8 - 26% toxic saponins. The seed needs to be leached of toxins before it becomes safe to eat - the Indians would do this by slow-roasting the nuts (which would have rendered the saponins harmless) and then cutting them into thin slices, putting them into a cloth bag and rinsing them in a stream for 2 - 5 days.

Known Hazards: Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisible to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish.

With some people, Horse Chestnut seed causes side effects such as irritation of the digestive tract, reduced kidney function, and itching of the skin.

  • Grieve. M. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
  • Plants For A Future - A Resource and Information Centre for Edible and other useful plants.

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