Compound or practice · Supplement
Horse Chestnut
A genuinely useful vein tonic — aescin reduces the leg swelling and heaviness of chronic venous insufficiency.
- Overall grade
- Grade B
- Last revised
- 1
- graded outcome
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
2 at grade B — 2 graded rows
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Chronic venous insufficiencyEvidence grade B
Cochrane-supported
Moderatehigh
Conditions
How the entry reads its effect on diagnosed conditions: the direction first, then the grade. Never a substitute for the person who treats you.
- Chronic venous insufficiency ImprovesEvidence grade BEdema, pain, heavinessGrade B
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Caution with Anticoagulants (warfarin): Mild antiplatelet — additive bleeding risk.
Interactions
Documented pairings with supplements and medicines. A medicine on this list is a conversation for whoever prescribes it.
Anticoagulants (warfarin)Caution
Mild antiplatelet — additive bleeding risk.
The evidence in words
What it is
Horse chestnut seed extract (aescin) is used for chronic venous insufficiency and varicose-vein symptoms.
How it works
Aescin improves venous tone and reduces capillary leakage, cutting fluid accumulation in the legs.
What the evidence shows
A Cochrane review supports horse chestnut for reducing leg pain, edema, and heaviness in chronic venous insufficiency — reasonably solid for a botanical. Use standardized, properly-processed seed extract (raw seeds are toxic).
How to use it
Standardized to ~50 mg aescin twice daily.
Safety & interactions
Standardized extract is safe; raw horse chestnut is toxic; mild antiplatelet and glucose effects. warfarin — Mild antiplatelet — additive bleeding risk.
Bottom line
One of the better-evidenced vein supplements for leg swelling and heaviness. Use standardized aescin — never raw seeds.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- Standard
- ~50 mg aescin twice daily.
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Diosmin / HesperidinFlavonoid vein-and-hemorrhoid agents with solid evidence — a mainstay of venous-symptom care in Europe.Evidence grade B
- Horse Chestnut for Chronic venous insufficiencyEvidence grade B — Cochrane-supportedEvidence grade B
- Horse Chestnut: dosage and how to take it~50 mg aescin twice daily.Evidence grade B
- Horse Chestnut: side effects, safety & interactionsStandardized extract is safe; raw horse chestnut is toxic; mild antiplatelet and glucose effects.Evidence grade B
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.