What does it help with
- Varicose veins and leg swelling
- Haemorrhoids
- Vein inflammation and clot prevention
- Chronic venous insufficiency
Active compounds
Aescin (saponin), flavonoids (rutin, quercetin), tannins.
Aescin strengthens vessel walls and reduces capillary permeability — less swelling.
How and when to harvest
Harvest periodOctober
Plant partsripe fruit
Dryingshade, 35–40 °C
Shelf life1 year
Preparation methods
Tincture (external)GelCapsulesBath
Pro tip: Horse chestnut gels are more effective than tea — aescin is poorly absorbed through the digestive tract.
Recipes
1 Horse chestnut tincture for veins ▾
Pour 40% vodka over sliced fruit. Strain after 4 weeks. Apply to veins externally.
2 Fruit tincture (external) ▾
Pour 40% vodka over sliced fruit. Strain into dark bottle after 4 weeks. Apply 2× daily to varicose veins or swelling — externally only, must not be drunk! Horse chestnut tincture is used externally only.
3 Medicinal bath ▾
Boil 100 g of the dried herb for 20 minutes in 2 litres of water. Strain and add the decoction to a warm bath. Bathe for 15–20 minutes. The herbs act through the skin — excellent for skin inflammation, rheumatism, or to relax the nervous system.
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6 more recipes in the Herbarium
Horse chestnut gel · Bath for legs · Combination with sweet clover · Horse chestnut capsules · Bath for haemorrhoids · Horse chestnut ointment
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