Horse Chestnut Extract May Be Beneficial in Edema, Varicose Veins, and Hay Fever.

Edema or Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is most commonly experienced in the lower legs as swollen ankles. Incidence increases with age and it has been estimated that 20 to 25% of adult women and 10 to 15% of adult men suffer from it. Conventional treatment is vascular surgery and/or drugs and compression stockings. Horse Chestnut extract has been shown to be more effective than drugs and compression stockings in treating CVI and is recognized in Europe by the German Commission E as the conservative treatment of choice. Horse Chestnut extract is the third most commonly prescribed herbal product in Germany.

Varicose veins are characterized by bulging, knotted, twisted veins, normally in the legs, particularly in the back of the knee, the back of the calf, and on the inner leg and thigh. Women are four times more likely than men to develop varicose veins and are at particular risk during pregnancy. Horse Chestnut Extract is recognized by the German Commission E as effective treatment and preventive care. Horse Chestnut extract is not contraindicated in pregnancy.

Hay fever symptoms occur when the sufferer comes in contact with an antibody (allergen) to which they are sensitive. The immune system attacks it with an IgE antibody causing the release of histamine, a protein that causes inflammation and is the body’s first line of defense against an invading microorganism. Horse Chestnut Extract and other bioflavonoids (particularly quercetin) may help strengthen the immune system to inhibit excess histamine production, reducing hay fever symptoms without the drowsiness associated with antihistamines.

Aescin is the primary active substance in Horse Chestnut Extract. It has diuretic effects that strengthen veins and reduce their permeability, sealing tissues off from infiltration by venous and lymphatic fluids. Aescin also works by inhibiting the activity of enzymes that may accumulate in the veins in response to a high concentration of leukocytes, and cause deterioration of the venous capillaries.

Horse Chestnut Extract may also be beneficial in hemorrhoids, vein inflammation (phlebitis), enlarged prostate, eczema, menstrual pain, soft tissue swelling, and arthritis.

Bio-Design Horse Chestnut Plus contains high quality European Horse Chestnut Extract that is certified to meet the requirements of both the German Commission E monograph and USP standards for purity and potency. The potency of our formula is further strengthened by the addition of the flavonoids, rutin and quercetin and ActiVinâ grape seed extract. Our tablet uses a special waxy matrix construction that buffers the release of concentrated flavonoids that could possibly cause digestive upset. No serious side effects are associated with Horse Chestnut Extract. Take one Horse Chestnut Plus tablet twice daily with meals to achieve the aescin dosage level recommended by the German Commission E monograph.