Horse Chestnut bark and flower

Hippocastani cortex, horse chestnut bark.  
Hippocastani flos, horse chestnut flower.  

Horse chestnut bark consists of the fresh or dried bark of Aesculus hippocastanum L.  [Fam.  Hippocastanaceae], harvested in the spring or autumn from 3- to 5-year-old branches, as well as preparations thereof.  

Horse chestnut flower consists of the fresh or dried flowers of A.  hippocastanum L., as well as preparations thereof.  

Not known.  

Clinical Data

Preparations of horse chestnut bark/flower are combined with the following ingredients:

yarrow, pheasant's eye herb, aesculin, aloe, mandrake root, horehound herb, arnica flower and root, arnica, Artemisia abrotanum e foliis, eyebright herb, uva ursi leaf, blessed thistle herb, Scotch broom herb, birch leaf, stinging nettle, blackberry leaf, rupturewort, watercress herb, calcium fluoratum, calcium sulfuricum, calendula, camphor, carrageen, citron peel, Collinsonia canadensis, echinacea, echinacea angustifolia herb , strawberry leaf, fumatory herb, buckthorn bark, fennel, ferrum phosphoricum, psyllium seed, silverweed herb, ginkgo leaf, goldenrod herb, guaiac wood, rose hip, witch hazel leaf/bark, heparin, motherwort herb, shepherd's purse herb, elderberry flower, hops, Indian nard root*, St.  John's Wort, chamomile, cleavers, night-blooming cereus flower, mullein leaf/flower, cornflower flower, buckthorn berries, lavender flower, linseed, lemon grass, lovage root, linden flower, dandelion flower/whole plant, lycopodium clavatum, meadowsweet flower, lily-of-the-valley leaf, mallow flower, milk thistle seed, wall pepper (sedum), scilla bulb (squill), lemon balm leaf, masterwort root, mistletoe herb/fruit, oleander leaf, Java tea leaf, parsley seed, peppermint leaf/herb, peony petals/root, Jamaican dogwood root bark, bitter orange fruit, pyridoxine hydrochloride, couch grass root, rhatany tincture, rue leaf, calendula petals/whole flower, rosemary leaf, horse chestnut leaf/seed, sandy everlasting flower, rutosid, brewer's yeast, seed-free bean pods, horsetail herb, yarrow flower/herb, blackthorn flower, Chinese pagoda tree flower buds, ergot, celery root, senna leaf/fruit, sunflower ray flower/whole flower stands, sweet clover herb, viola herb, strychnos seed, licorice root, sulfur, centaury herb, thiamine chloride hydrochloride, tormentil root, knotweed herb, walnut leaf, white willow bark, hawthorn berry, hawthorn leaf, hawthorn leaf with flower, hawthorn flower, white dead nettle flower, elderberry fruit, sweet woodruff herb, mullein, zincum aceticum, zinc oxide.  

Hemorrhoids, ease of defecation, anal fissures, anal eczema, for progressive shrinking of hemorrhoidal nodes, proctitis, pruritus ani, prevention of embolism of varices and thrombosis, strengthening of the veins, stimulation of blood circulation, improvement of circulatory functions, promotion and support of cardiac function, circulation and blood flow, ringing in the ears, for a more active balance of heart and circulation stress, low and high blood pressure, circulatory disturbances in feet and legs, varicose veins, phlebectasia, angioneurosis, endoangiitis obliterans, leg edema, brachyalgia, ulcus cruris, relief of discomforts of varicose veins, supportive for thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, paresthesia, prophylaxis of thrombosis, static edema, mild cardiac insufficiency, especially in old age after infectious diseases, dizziness, psychogenic disturbances of blood flow through the heart muscle.  

Also, stimulant, foehn discomforts, fatigue, disinclination for work, conditions of anxiety, sleeplessness, overweight, immobility, uric acid diathesis, supportive therapy for acute and chronic kidney or bladder diseases, dropsy, atherosclerosis, supportive for mild hemorrhages, especially of the gums, congestion in the liver, cholangiitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, blockage of the portal circulation.  

None known .

Since the effectiveness for the claimed uses is not documented, a therapeutic application cannot be recommended.  

*[Ed.  note:"Indian nard root" is mentioned with reference to three different plants:

1. Nardostachys jatamansi [Fam.  Valerianaceae].
2. Vetiveria zizanioides [Fam.  Poaceae].  
3. Cymbopogon jwarancusa [Fam.  Poaceae].]

[Ed.  note:There is an approved monograph for Horse Chestnut seed extract in the Approved Herbs section.]