Last update Jan. 20, 2026

Horse Chestnut

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

The seeds, bark and leaves are used. It contains escin and esculin or esculoside, vasoprotectors that are non-toxic at normal doses. They are used in the prevention and treatment of peripheral vascular problems, including haemorrhoids (Pittler 2012, EMA 2009, Siebert 2002, WHO 2002). Oral, intravenous, rectal and topical skin administration. 

At the time of the last update, we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

Side effects are rare and mild. The German Ministry of Health's Commission E does not contraindicate the use of seed extract during breastfeeding. (Blumenthal 1998)

Although non-serious cases of poisoning have occurred after consuming high doses (Yi 2021, Zając 2014, Jaspersen 1996), given its lack of toxicity at usual doses, moderate consumption during breastfeeding would be very low risk.

In topical preparations, do not apply to the breast or clean thoroughly before breastfeeding.


See below the information of these related products:

  • Aescin (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Aesculin, Esculin (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Horse Chestnut since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Horse Chestnut is also known as


Horse Chestnut in other languages or writings:

Groups

Horse Chestnut belongs to these groups or families:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Horse Chestnut in its composition:

List of 10 tradenames
  • Almodin™. Contains other elements than Horse Chestnut in its composition
  • Gel Fitotonico™. Contains other elements than Horse Chestnut in its composition
  • Hemofissural™. Contains other elements than Horse Chestnut in its composition
  • Hemoflam™. Contains other elements than Horse Chestnut in its composition
  • Hemovirtus™. Contains other elements than Horse Chestnut in its composition
  • Muscoril Trauma™. Contains other elements than Horse Chestnut in its composition
  • Proctopure™. Contains other elements than Horse Chestnut in its composition
  • Variflam™. Contains other elements than Horse Chestnut in its composition
  • Venoful™. Contains other elements than Horse Chestnut in its composition
  • Weleda Hämorrhoidalzapfchen™. Contains other elements than Horse Chestnut in its composition

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. Baja - Poor %

References

  1. Yi HY, Lee JY. Poisoning due to consumption of horse chestnut seed. Clin Exp Emerg Med. 2021 Dec;8(4):333-335. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  2. Zając M, Wiśniewski M, Sein Anand J. [Intoxication by powdered seeds of horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) used nasally as snuff - a case report]. Przegl Lek. 2014 Abstract
  3. Pittler MH, Ernst E. Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  4. EMA. Hippocastani semen. Community Herbal Monograph. 2009 Full text (in our servers)
  5. Siebert U, Brach M, Sroczynski G, Berla K. Efficacy, routine effectiveness, and safety of horsechestnut seed extract in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and large observational studies. Int Angiol. 2002 Abstract
  6. WHO. World Health Organization. Geneva. WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants. Volume 2. WHO monographs. 2002 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  7. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Riggins CW, Rister RS, editors. The American Botanical Council. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Integrative Medicine Com; Boston, MA, USA: 1998
  8. Jaspersen-Schib R, Theus L, Guirguis-Oeschger M, Gossweiler B, Meier-Abt PJ. [Serious plant poisonings in Switzerland 1966-1994. Case analysis from the Swiss Toxicology Information Center]. Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1996 Jun 22;126(25):1085-98. German. Abstract

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