Can Horse Chestnuts Cause Diarrhea?

Raw horse chestnut seed, bark, flower, and leaf contain esculin and are unsafe to use. Signs of esculin poisoning include stomach upset, muscle twitching, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and paralysis. Seek immediate medical attention if you’ve accidentally consumed raw horse chestnut.

What are the side effects of taking horse chestnut?

Horse chestnut seed extracts are generally well tolerated but may cause side effects such as dizziness, nausea, and digestive upsets in some people. Little is known about whether it’s safe to use horse chestnut seed extract during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

How much horse chestnut is too much?

Horse chestnut extract typically contains 16–20% aescin. In most studies, the dosage used is 100–150 mg of aescin per day. Hence, potential toxic effects of higher doses are unknown.

Should horse chestnut be taken on an empty stomach?

Horse chestnut may interfere with the action of anticoagulants (blood-thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin), intensifying the effect of the medication and increasing the risk of bleeding. Some people experience mild gastrointestinal upset when taking horse chestnut seed extract on an empty stomach.

How much horse chestnut is toxic?

All parts of the horse chestnut tree are toxic, but the greatest concern is for horse chestnut seeds. These can be easily mistaken for edible chestnuts. Horse chestnut seed pods usually contain only one seed, while edible chestnut pods contain multiple seeds. Eating horse chestnuts can result in serious stomach upset.

Are chestnuts a laxative?

Digestive health – chestnuts reduce cholesterol levels and stabilize blood sugar levels. They also reduce the risk of constipation and intestinal complications such as diverticulosis.

Can you take horse chestnut everyday?

Dosing. Horse chestnut extract has most often been used by adults in doses of 300-600 mg by mouth daily for 8-12 weeks. Most horse chestnut extract products contain 16% to 20% triterpene glycosides (saponins), which is referred to as “aescin” on product labels.

Can you take horse chestnut long term?

According to the NICCH , the raw seeds, bark, flowers, and leaves of horse chestnuts are unsafe due to a toxic component. However, it advises that standardized horse chestnut seed extracts from which manufacturers have removed the toxic element appear safe for short-term use.

Is horse chestnut good for kidneys?

Side Effects
Based on reports of worsening kidney function in people with kidney disease who received intravenous aescin, horse chestnut should be avoided by anyone with kidney disease.

Is chestnut inflammatory?

Chestnuts have properties that may help reduce inflammation. The antioxidants they contain, such as vitamin C, gallic acid, ellagic acid, and various polyphenols, can help reduce inflammation. They neutralize free radicals, which are key drivers of chronic inflammation ( 2 , 30 ).

Is chestnut good for diarrhea?

People take European chestnut for breathing problems including bronchitis and whooping cough; and for digestive tract disorders including diarrhea, bloody stools, nausea, and other stomach disorders.

Is chestnut good for gut?

Chestnuts can also help improve your digestion. These nuts are a good source of fiber, which helps keep you regular and supports the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. Chestnuts are also gluten-free, which makes them a healthy choice for people with celiac disease.

How long does horse chestnut take to work?

It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using horse chestnut.

Are horse chestnuts poisonous to eat?

Sweet chestnuts are edible, but horse chestnuts are poisonous. If eaten, they can cause digestive problems such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and throat irritation.

Is horse chestnut good for hair growth?

Horse Chestnut strengthens the hair roots and accelerates hair growth. Thus, it is a strong ally to have if you want to get rid of hair loss. It does this by boosting the scalp’s circulation.

Do chestnuts raise blood pressure?

Controls blood pressure
As discussed earlier, chestnuts contain potassium and this is one of the most important minerals when it comes to lowering blood pressure. Potassium acts as a vasodilator, which helps in increasing the general blood flow, therefore decreasing the overall pressure.

Are chestnuts difficult to digest?

In particular, chestnuts are a difficult nut to digest because of the high starch content – so they’re definitely not recommended for people suffering from colitis, diabetes, obesity, or liver diseases. Especially if cooked (similar to other starches), chestnuts tend to turn into simple sugars.

What nuts are good laxatives?

They are packed with fibre and nutrients that produce a natural laxative effect, giving you an easier time to poop. Almonds, pistachios, and pecans contain the highest amounts of fibre among nuts. A ⅛ cup serving of almonds provides 3.5g of fibre, while pistachios provide 2.9g and pecans 2.7g.

Why are there no chestnuts in America?

Mature American chestnuts have been virtually extinct for decades. The tree’s demise started with something called ink disease in the early 1800s, which steadily killed chestnut in the southern portion of its range.

Is horse chestnut an antibiotic?

Ground horse chestnut seed showed excellent antibacterial activity toward Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus mutans. Antibacterial activity was particularly strong against E. coli, which is a Gram-negative bacterium.

Is horse chestnut good for blood clots?

The most well-researched benefit horse chestnut offers is in treating chronic venous insufficiency, an issue with vein pressure often preceded by varicose veins and/or blood clots, affecting up to as much as 40 percent of the US population.