How Do You Take Horse Chestnuts?

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.

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.

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 long does it take for horse chestnuts to work?

Overall, the trials suggested an improvement in the symptoms of leg pain, oedema and pruritus with horse chestnut seed extract when taken as capsules over two to 16 weeks. Six placebo‐controlled studies (543 participants) reported a clear reduction of leg pain when the herbal extract was compared with placebo.

How do you prepare a horse chestnut?

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F/gas mark 6.
2. Put the chestnuts cut-side up on a baking tray and roast them for 15–20 minutes, or until the skin begins to come away from the nut.
3. Serve the chestnuts as they are, or use them in salads, soups or pies.

Does chestnut cause weight gain?

Chestnuts are high in fiber, which may help you lose weight by slowing down the digestion of food and curbing your appetite. They also contain fewer calories than other varieties of nuts due to their low fat content.

Does horse chestnut improve circulation?

Using Horse Chestnut to Treat Venous Insufficiency
Aescin, a compound found in Horse Chestnut seed extract, has anti-inflammatory and other properties that can improve blood circulation. This extract can prove beneficial for patients suffering from venous insufficiency.

Who should not take horse chestnut?

Don’t use it if you have a bowel or stomach disorder. Liver disease: There is one report of liver injury associated with using horse chestnut. If you have a liver condition, it is best to avoid horse chestnut. Latex allergy: People who are allergic to latex might also be allergic to horse chestnut.

What can you not take with horse chestnuts?

Avoid using horse chestnut together with herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting. This includes angelica (dong quai), capsicum, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, turmeric, and willow.

Does horse chestnut raise blood pressure?

Its actions are unique and fascinating. On the one hand, horse chestnut seed extract relaxes the endothelial lining of capillaries³, enhancing friendly nitric oxide production, and reducing inflammation⁴. This generally supports appropriate pressure or push coming from the arteries (healthy blood pressure).

What part of a horse chestnut is poisonous?

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.

Can you eat horse chestnuts raw?

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.

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.

Should you peel horse chestnuts?

You don’t really have to trim them. But if you’re so inclined, you can trim them without causing the horse any pain. Don’t try to remove them entirely, and don’t trim any deeper than skin level or above. Just peel them off layer by layer with your hands or fingernails.

What is the best way to eat chestnut?

Savoury. In savoury dishes, chestnuts are the epitome of earthy, rustic cooking and can be used in a variety of ways to provide a deep, nutty flavour. Cook them in stuffing, pasta and rice dishes, soups and stews, or as a purée instead of mashed potato.

What do horse chestnuts taste like?

Horse chestnuts taste horribly bitter. In a word: inedible. Horse chestnuts, Mead adds, pretty much give themselves away with their nasty scent. And unlike edible chestnuts, their covers don’t pop off easily, which makes them, literally, a tougher nut to crack.

Is it OK to eat chestnuts everyday?

Raw chestnuts are safe to eat for most people. However, they do contain tannic acid, which means they could cause stomach irritation, nausea, or liver damage if you have liver disease or experience a lot of kidney problems.

What does horse chestnut do for the skin?

Horse chestnut’s benefits for the skin do not stop at saponins – the seed extract contains a number of flavonoids (powerful antioxidants) such as quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin, that have demonstrated wound healing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-enzymatic properties.

How many chestnuts should I eat a day?

How Much Should You Eat? Aim for a healthy handful (30g) of chestnuts per day.

How do I make horse chestnuts edible?

You can also try roasting them over an open fire or grill—though technically nestling them in the embers is best to prevent scorching. Depending on the temperature of the embers, this process can take anywhere from 15-30 minutes. Cooked nuts should be tender, sweet and peel easily.

Can I take horse chestnut with aspirin?

aspirin horse chestnut
Talk to your doctor before using horse chestnut together with aspirin. Combining these medications may increase the risk of bleeding. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.