Herbal Supplements for Healthy Veins: Horse Chestnut
Have you hugged your circulatory system today?
Well, there are certain herbal supplements, like horse chestnut, butchers broom, gotu kola, diosmin and hesperidin — that have nutrients and natural chemicals that show your veins some love by helping them rebuild and stay strong.
Your veins, after all, are the gatekeepers to your general health and well-being. Any breakdown in the venous walls can wreak havoc on blood flow and possibly lead to vein disease-related conditions like varicose veins or venous dermatitis. In our ‘pills cure all’ world, it’s easy to forget the body’s amazing restorative powers. Herbal supplements complement and work with our bodies to help us restore and protect our veins naturally.
One vein-friendly herbal supplement is horse chestnut. Horse chestnut is a large, deciduous tree native to the central Balkan peninsula loaded with medicinal magic.
The seeds and bark of the horse chestnut tree contain a group of chemicals called saponins – with aescin being the active ingredient superstar. Aescin appears to reduce swelling and inflammation: two common conditions that cause the heavy, tired, achy symptoms associated with vein disease-related conditions like varicose veins. Vein disease is a progressive medical condition that develops when blood is unable to flow properly and begins to pool. Horse chestnut helps rectify the problem by improving the elasticity of vein walls, strengthening the vascular system and easing flow of blood back to the heart.
According to a report by medicine hunter, Chris Kilham, for Fox News, horse chestnut reduces inflammation and edema, enhances the tone and improves the fluid balance of veins. Aescin accounts for 3-6% of the seed and is believed to be the primary agent responsible for these activities. Aescin appears to slow down the rate at which fluid leaks from irritated capillaries, improve the elastic strength of veins, and block the release of enzymes which form holes in capillary walls.
For the most benefit, horse chestnut may be taken on its own or as a key ingredient in a combined ingredient supplement for leg vein health. Remember the big five vein health supplements are horse chestnut, butchers broom, gout kola, diosmin and hesperidin.
Before taking any herbal supplements, please consult a vein specialist or your healthcare provider. Some herbs are not suitable for people with certain medical conditions and may interfere with certain medications.