Content
Horse chestnut is a deciduous tree that can be found in park areas in Russia. All its parts are used for medicinal purposes. The benefits and harms of horse chestnut depend on the degree of influence on the human body.
Description of horse chestnut
Horse chestnut has a second name - stomach, the genus of these plants belongs to the sapond family. It is endowed with a kind of epithet due to the fact that the fruits are similar in color and brilliance to the shade of a chestnut horse's mane. Nuts are inedible, but they contain substances that are used as raw materials for pharmaceuticals. The tree can grow up to 25 m, it has large leaves with long petioles. Dense foliage contributes to the formation of a branched crown. The acorn begins to bloom in late spring or early summer, its flowers are pink-white, they contain up to 75% sucrose.
Nuts ripen after flowering, they represent a seed box, in which there are 1 - 2 nut-like seeds. A temperate climate, deep, moist, mineral-rich soil is suitable for a tree. The genus includes several species that can be found in North America, southwestern Europe, and central Russia. Chestnut is used as an ornamental tree. In addition, nuts, flowers, and bark are common in the pharmaceutical industry, traditional medicine, and cosmetology.
Why is horse chestnut useful?
The history of the use of useful medicinal properties begins in 1896, when an unknown physician from France used a medicine prepared from the fruits of horse chestnut on himself. Since then, the properties of the stomach have been used as a medicinal raw material.
The main actions that the plant has:
- helps to strengthen blood vessels;
- has venotonic properties;
- prevents the formation of blood clots and atherosclerotic plaques;
- has an analgesic and anticonvulsant effect.
Flowers
Flowers contain flavonoids and tannins, natural mucus, pectins. Quartin, one of the flavonoids contained in combination with other components, has various beneficial properties:
- activates restorative tissue processes;
- helps to stabilize pressure;
- is beneficial as a substance that lowers blood cholesterol;
- has the ability to heal wounds, relieve puffiness.
Leaves
The leaves contain: tannins, ascorbic acid, carotene, coumarin. The benefits of using products based on chestnut leaves for human health lies in the astringent effect, relieving inflammation, healing by reducing blood clotting.
These healing properties of horse chestnut are used to treat varicose veins and trophic ulcers on the extremities, with vasospasm and venous congestion.
A leaf-based decoction enhances the diuretic effect, this beneficial property is suitable for reducing edema of varying severity.
The anti-inflammatory properties of decoctions are used to treat inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. In addition, the composition has a calming effect, is able to relieve the symptoms of anxiety and anxiety.
Fruit
Stomach fruits are harvested in early autumn and then crushed. Medicines are prepared on the basis of this raw material. Chestnuts contain essential oils, tannins, and an increased amount of starch. These compounds have several effects on the state of the body:
- decongestant;
- antioxidant;
- anti-inflammatory;
- astringent.
They are used to treat inflammation of the articular type, with arthritis, salt deposits, bruises, burns, trophic ulcers. Oils and ointments are suitable for relieving fatigue at the end of the day, helping to minimize the effects of bruises, and have a pain relieving effect.
Bark
The bark is harvested in the fall, at this time the maximum amount of nutrients is concentrated in it. The bark contains escin, tannins, glycosides, essential fatty oils. On the basis of the bark, decoctions, infusions are prepared, it is added to the ointment as a dry ingredient. The medicinal properties possessed by the horse chestnut peel are applicable in the preparation of medicines that are effective in the treatment of dental infections, relieve inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, in gynecological diseases, for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
The benefits or harms of taking horse chestnut-based medicines for the body depend on the method of preparation and the expected effect. After processing, the bark helps to strengthen the body's defenses, has the property of acting as an antibacterial agent, relieving inflammation and edema, and promoting the regenerative process of the upper layers of the epidermis.
The use of horse chestnut in traditional medicine
The fruits, flowers and bark of the horse chestnut have medicinal properties that are actively used by traditional medicine. All parts of the tree are suitable for the preparation of decoctions, infusions and ointments. They are used to treat:
- phlebeurysm;
- inflammation of the respiratory system;
- vascular disease;
- gastrointestinal diseases;
- inflammation of the joints and ligaments.
Horse chestnut infusion
The infusion is prepared on the basis of crushed tree bark. 1 tsp raw materials are poured into 2 tbsp. cold water, insist 8 hours, then filter and take 2 tbsp. l. 4 times daily.
The properties of horse chestnut infusion are applicable to the treatment of diseases of the liver, kidneys, gall bladder and inflammation of the larynx.
Infusions can be the basis for lotions, compresses and wet dressings.
Horse chestnut decoction
This dosage form is prepared from an equal amount of crushed dried flowers and bark. Raw materials are poured with water, boiled for 30 minutes, then filtered, diluted with warm water, take 1 tbsp. l. daily. The volume is increased gradually, by the end of the week, it is brought to 100 ml in 1 dose.
The broth treats digestive diseases, relieves pain syndromes in diseases of the joints, and is also used to treat gynecological and urological diseases.
Broths are suitable for rinsing with stomatitis, gingivitis, bleeding gums.
Horse chestnut extract (extract)
In folk medicine, an extract is considered to be boiled water or water-alcohol extracts from a dried or raw product.
Dried flowers and nuts are mixed with vodka in a ratio of 1:10. The mixture is sealed in a jar and stored in a dry, dark place. Take 10 drops 3 - 4 times a day. The medicinal properties of horse chestnut have unconditional health benefits for men. Extracts help in the treatment of prostatitis, hemorrhoids, gout.
Flower juice
The benefits of preparing medicines based on horse chestnut flowers are assessed by the degree of health impact and the elimination of possible harm.
The liquid obtained from the inflorescences by pressing is rich in natural beneficial phytoncides and glycosides. The maximum benefit from the intake is achieved by using freshly squeezed juice. It is taken in 25 to 30 drops daily to relieve joint, hemorrhoidal, or menstrual pain.
Horse chestnut ointment
The benefits of horse chestnut fruit are used in the preparation of a variety of external remedies.
The ointment is prepared on the basis of the fruits or inflorescences of horse chestnut, because they contain an increased amount of healthy fatty oils. The raw material is crushed, vegetable or olive oil is added for structuring. Beat the mixture thoroughly until smooth.
The disadvantage of a self-prepared ointment is its short storage. In the refrigerator, horse chestnut ointment retains its beneficial medicinal properties for 2 weeks. The ointment helps to relieve inflammation, has the property of reducing swelling.
Horse chestnut oil
Home cooking is associated with the peculiarities of the technological process. From chestnuts harvested in summer, oil is obtained after hand pressing. For this, you must use special devices. The resulting product should be cleaned of impurities. Horse chestnut oil is rich in acids, antioxidants, flavonoids and naturally occurring glycosides. It has several beneficial effects on the body:
- decongestant;
- tonic;
- regenerating;
- calming.
Horse chestnut in official medicine
Official medicine uses the raw materials of the stomach to prepare effective medicines.
|
Dosage form |
Indications |
|
tablets, capsules |
to improve the condition of blood vessels, increase their elasticity |
|
drops |
against the formation of blood clots, atherosclerotic plaques, in order to improve blood circulation |
|
ointment, cream |
to relieve inflammation of the joints, treat varicose veins, dermatitis |
|
oil |
as a decongestant, anti-inflammatory, exfoliating, sedative |
Horse chestnut in cosmetology
Medicinal properties are useful in the manufacture of preparations in home cosmetology. This is due to the healing effect on the skin of the face or scalp.
Homemade ointments are used to relieve inflammation on the skin of the face, to whiten and remove age spots.
Hair is rinsed with useful decoctions based on flowers and fruits. This helps to strengthen the hair follicle, relieves irritation and itching on the scalp.
A positive effect on blood circulation is used to prevent and relieve the symptoms of cellulite. To do this, apply a cream or oil under a plastic wrap. This is one of the home wrap options.
Harm and contraindications to the use of horse chestnut
It should not be forgotten that stomach nuts are inedible and can be harmful due to the presence of substances that cause indigestion.
Oral administration of dosage forms is not recommended for certain conditions of the body, when the possible harm exceeds the indicators of benefit.
- Infusions, decoctions, drops are not taken during pregnancy due to possible harm in the form of an increase in the tone of the uterus, provoking unwanted contractions.
- Internal remedies are not taken for complicated kidney and liver diseases. The substances of the composition can cause harm in the form of a negative effect on the activity of these organs.
- Ointments, oils, creams are contraindicated in the presence of allergic reactions. Possible harm can provoke the development of negative consequences.
Can horse chestnut be used during pregnancy
Reception of infusions and decoctions inside is contraindicated. External remedies, on the contrary, are prescribed during pregnancy as a means of helping to get rid of varicose veins. In women, during the period of bearing a child, swelling of the extremities becomes a concomitant symptom: in order to relieve tension in the muscles and reduce the manifestations of puffiness, daily foot massage with homemade cream is recommended.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of horse chestnut are determined by the ability of dosage forms prepared on the basis of tree parts to influence human health. The healing properties can affect the principle of the circulatory system, relieve inflammation and edema, and prevent venous stasis.
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