The healing properties of horse chestnut are no less important reason for its spread than the decorative qualities of wood. In view of this, in the article below we will study in detail the horse chestnut, its medicinal properties and contraindications.
Healing properties of chestnut
Medicinal properties of horse chestnut cover a large number of diseases. In the first place, the tree is valued for its ability to influence the protein composition of the blood, thereby preventing the formation of blood clots.
In addition, thanks to the use of chestnut drugs, the walls of the vessels are strengthened, and the main blood arteries become wider, which again helps to avoid thrombosis. Horse chestnut treatment shown at:
- high blood pressure;
- capillary hemorrhage (often bleeds from the nose);
- hemorrhagic diathesis;
- varicose veins;
- ulcers on the legs;
- hemorrhoids.
Did you know? In France, roasted chestnuts are one of the culinary delicacies. However, horse chestnut fruits are not used for this purpose, since they contain a large amount of bitter glycosides, which makes the taste very unpleasant. But in agriculture, the fruits are often used as animal feed.
Even chestnut rind has healing properties - it is used in gynecology. It is recommended to make a decoction of her broth douching, which help with belyah. Chestnut decoctions can stop even uterine bleeding. For men, the peel of the fruit helps to remove inflammation from the prostate gland.
Properties of horse chestnut due to its chemical composition. In particular, his seeds contain:
- 10% of saponins, due to which the natural process of hemolysis (destruction) of red blood cells is enhanced, and the release of hemoglobin from them;
- about 6% fatty oil;
- 49.5% starch;
- up to 10% of proteins;
- flavonoids that improve vascular elasticity;
- vitamins C, B and K.
Flavonoids and tannins are also present in the leaves. In addition, they are valuable in the presence of rutin, which reduces capillary fragility and reduces the intensity of blood coagulation, and carotenoids - natural antioxidants, which also increase the immune resistance of humans.
Horse chestnut flowers are rich in rutin and flavonoids, as well as pectins, which normalizes metabolism and promotes cholesterol elimination.
When and how to collect chestnut
In order for the healing properties to appear in full force, it is necessary to properly harvest it. Since in folk medicine not only the seeds of this tree are used, but also its bark, flowers and even leaves, we will consider the method and time of their preparation in more detail.
Important! For the preparation of medicinal raw horse chestnut fit only those of his species, which have a white color of inflorescences.
Bark
The bark does not have such a large number of medicinal properties, as the fruit, but to underestimate its effect on the human body is also not worth it. The process of harvesting bark should begin in early spring, as soon as the tree begins to circulate juices. It is better to cut it off from young twigs, but you should not get involved in it in order not to harm the tree.
The collected bark is cut into small pieces and laid out for drying in a dark place that is well ventilated. Dry bark is best stored in bags of flax, cotton or strong paper. However, they should not be stored for more than two years, as for natural reasons the bark can begin to rot and change its chemical composition.
Flowers
Flowers are harvested at the very beginning of flowering. At the same time, it is not necessary to tear off the entire inflorescence completely - just remove the flowers with petals and stamens from it. It is necessary to dry them very carefully, laying out one by one. Keep in mind that if the humidity of the air rises, and the heat is not enough, the flowers may rot. 
Therefore, if you do not have an ideal place to dry chestnut flowers, you can even use electric drying for this purpose.
Did you know? Horse chestnut extract is used even in cosmetology, as it is very effective with intensive hair loss. In addition, it can also slow down skin aging, stimulating the process of collagen production.
Leaves
The leaves are also collected in the flowering period of the tree, that is, in May. Only the leaves themselves need to be plucked from the tree - you will not need their stalks. The process of drying the leaves is similar to the process of drying flowers. It is better to store them in sealed glass containers so that the leaves are not damp.
Fruit
In traditional and traditional medicine, only well-ripened fruits are valuable. For this reason, it is necessary to collect them closer to the fall or even in September, when the boxes themselves turn yellow and open, and the fruits will be on the ground under the tree.
Herbal medicine or herbal medicine is gaining more and more popularity. Here are some of them: berry yew, fir, black chokeberry, red rowan, white acacia, barberry, ash, hibiscus, elderberry, aloe, calendula, verbena, hollywood magonium, visible stonefish, foxtail, tarragon, anise.
For long-term storage of the fruit is also worth drying. If this is not done, in a closed container they may bloom and rot. Drying is also recommended in a dark and well ventilated area. If you are not interested in the fruit itself, but in its skin - it can be removed immediately after collecting the fruits.
Chestnut folk recipes
In folk medicine, horse chestnut is used much more actively than in traditional. In particular, decoctions, tinctures and ointments are prepared from it, the concentration characteristics of which vary significantly depending on the disease:
- Tincture to treat joint problems. 20 g of flowers infused in 500 ml of vodka for two weeks. Ideally, this process takes place in a dark place at room temperature. The resulting tincture is used to rub problem areas. It is important to do this 1-2 times during the day.
- Tincture of hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Crush 50 g of fruit in a meat grinder (no rind should be separated). Pour the slurry with 500 ml of vodka and leave for 7 days. Strain the liquid taken three times a day. At one time you need to drink no more than 7 drops.
- Tincture for the treatment of kidney disease. Crush the two fruits of chestnut, put it in a thermos and pour boiling water in a volume of 250 ml. After the fruits are infused for 2 hours, the tincture can be taken in 2 tbsp. l The number of receptions during the day should reach 5 times.
- Tincture of leukemia. In 1 liter of water 8 tbsp. l dried horse chestnut flowers. All this put on fire, bring to a boil and leave to infuse for 8 hours. The resulting medication is divided into 5 doses and drunk during the day.
- Tincture for the treatment of gout. For 1 liter of medical alcohol, about 40 g of dried flowers are used, which are infused for a week. The resulting infusion is used as compresses, which are especially effective during attacks.
- Tinctures for tuberculosis and thrombophlebitis. Crush 30 g of fruit and fill them with 1 liter of vodka. Let it stand for a week. Tincture is recommended as a warming belt. For more effects, preheated chestnut fruits can be placed in the pockets of the belts.
- A decoction of chestnut crusts for douching from whiter. For such a decoction to 1 tbsp. l chestnut crusts use 1 cup of water, after which it is all boiled for 5 minutes and infused for at least another 1 hour. However, before using this broth for douching, it is better to consult a doctor.
- A decoction of the leaves for the treatment of gout, rheumatism, stomach cramps and dysfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract. 500 ml of water will need 1 tbsp. l crushed leaves. Soaking the leaves in boiling water, they need to hold on low heat for about 15 minutes. A decoction of 100 ml is taken before each meal.
- A decoction of the fruit to alleviate the symptoms of menopause. Again, only chestnut fruit peels are used, of which only 15 g will be needed for 1 cup of water. Boil the peels in water for 25 minutes, and then leave for another 1 hour. Broth is recommended to wash twice a day.
- Ointment for inflammation and swelling. Crush 5 fruits and mix them with 5 tbsp. l dry flowers and 500 ml of vegetable sunflower oil. Hold the mixture in the water bath for about 1 hour until it becomes more or less homogeneous. Ointment must be applied to problem areas.
- Horse chestnut baths for dermatological diseases. Mix the leaves in a bucket, inflorescences and bark in approximately equal proportions, fill it with boiling water and leave for about 12 hours. The resulting infusion is poured into a bath and diluted with warm water. The procedure in such a bath is recommended for 15-20 minutes.
Contraindications and harmful properties
Horse chestnut has both medicinal properties and contraindications, due to the high content of biologically active substances in its fruits, bark, leaves and flowers. So, taking drugs on the basis of horse chestnut is not recommended for:
- hypotension (reduced pressure), as chestnut-based drugs can lower it even more;
- poor blood clotting;
- directly during internal bleeding.
Important! It is necessary to give horse chestnut to animals in small quantities, as they can get poisoned. Categorically it is impossible to allow children to eat the fruit of this tree.
We hope that now you will not have a question about what treats horse chestnut. However, it should not be forgotten that this remedy should be used very carefully, since the effect of chestnut on the human body can be disastrous, especially if there are problems with blood.
