The circulatory system, made up of thousands of miles of veins, arteries and capillaries, is the body's delivery mechanism for nutrients. In addition to oxygen, the circulatory system transports water, proteins, fats, sugars, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, hormones and antibodies to all of the body's organs and tissues.

Although a healthy circulatory system is strong and flexible, it is also extremely fragile. The delicate walls of veins and capillaries can be easily damaged, which interferes with their ability to deliver nutrients.

Some factors which may contribute to vein and capillary damage include:

• oxidative damage by free radicals

• lack of exercise

• excessive standing

• obesity

• a low-fiber diet (causing constipation)

Such damage can lead to:

• dilated veins and weakened vein walls

• damaged valves in the veins

• increased capillary permeability (leaking capillaries)

• increased capillary size (weakened capillary walls)

• reduced blood flow

• tired, swollen and painful legs

• impaired delivery of nutrients.

Fortunately, there are simple, easy and all-natural solutions for maintaining a healthy circulatory system (making lifestyle changes for example, as stated in the list above). In addition, scientific research shows that a concentrated, standardized extract from the seeds of the Horse Chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) helps maintain strong capillaries and veins - especially those in the legs.*1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Like many herbs, Horse Chestnut has a long history of traditional use in folk medicine. Externally, it was used in the form of an astringent, hot poultice and ointment to care for both soft, tissue as well as aching joints. The primary active constituent in Horse Chestnut Seeds is aescin (a triterpene glycoside mixture). The seeds also contain stigmasterol and alpha-spinasterol.7, 8

The ability of Horse Chestnut Seed Extract to reduce the body's natural inflammatory response* may be attributed to these natural plant sterols.

This potent extract of a traditional southern European herbal remedy strengthens and helps protect the capillaries from becoming too porous.*9 Standardized Horse Chestnut Seed Extract also helps maintain the small size of capillaries.*4, 10, 11, 12  The major benefit, however, may be aescin's ability to tone and strengthen veins and capillaries by increasing the contracting ability of the elastic fibers in the walls of the veins,*13 thus improving flexibility  of the veins.*14

There are indications that Horse Chestnut reduces the activity of  lysosomal enzymes, which are more apparent in people with poor blood circulation in veins.*9 These enzymes break down substances in cells (including foreign particles such as bacteria).  In the region of the vein and capillary walls however, this breaking apart of cells may weaken the walls and reduce blood circulation.*9 Standardized Horse Chestnut Seed Extract reduces the action of these damaging enzymes and therefore helps maintain healthy blood circulation in the veins.* 

Oral doses of Standardized Horse Chestnut Seed Extract are free of any serious side effects and have shown to be well tolerated by those who take it.*9 It also works quickly: one study which used 50 mg of aescin (the amount found in just 300 mg of Nature's Life® standardized extract capsules) showed an improvement in vein strength and integrity within three hours of supplementation.*15

Nature's Life provides this high quality botanical as a dietary supplement capsule with standardized, concentrated aescin. Nature's Life Horse Chestnut Seed Extract capsules contain the same concentrated, sustained release potency used in scientific research noted above to ensure better delivery of valuable aescin to capillaries and veins over a longer period of time. 

Nature’s Life also offers a soothing, high quality Horse Chestnut Seed topical creme. When applied topically this natural herbal balm provides many of the same benefits as Nature’s Life Standardized Horse Chestnut Seed Extract capsules taken orally.4,5,6 The balm contains 2% standardized aescin.  Significant scientific research has proven that daily application of this beneficial balm to the legs will help maintain healthy and beautiful skin.4,5,6

The natural way to maintain and strengthen healthy veins and capillaries is to eat a healthy, high-fiber diet, stay trim, exercise regularly, and use Nature's Life Sustained Release Standardized Horse Chestnut Seed Extract capsules and Horse Chestnut Herbal Balm.

References

1. Diehm C, Trampisch HJ, Lange S, et al. Comparison of leg compression stocking and oral horse chestnut seed extract therapy in-patients with chronic venous insufficiency. Lancet 1996;347(8997):292-294.

2. Montagnani A. Treatment of chronic venous insufficiency with combination of topical & oral phlebotropic drugs. Clin Ter 1984;108(2):91-98.

3. Pedrini L. and Cifiello BI.  Modification of venous function after pharmacologic treatment.  Plethysmographic study.  Clin Ter 1983;106(4):271-277.

4. Desogus Al and D'Alia G. Venotropic therapy: results of clinical experimentation. Clin Ter 1986;139(17):137-141.

5. Calabrese C and Preston P. Report of the results of a double-blind, randomized, single-dose trial of a topical 2% aescin gel versus placebo in the acute treatment of experimentally-induced hematoma in volunteers. Plant Medica 1993:59(5):394-97;118(5):339-342.

6. Tozzi E. Scatena M, and Castellacci E. Anti-inflammatory local frigotherapy with a combination of aescin, heparin and polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine. Clin Ter 1981;98(5):517-524.

7. Schrader E, Schwankl W, Sieder C, et al. Comparison of the bioavailability of beta-aescin after single oral administration of two different drug formulations containing an extract of horse chestnut seeds. Pharmazie 1995;50(9):623-627.

8. Senatore F, Mscisz A, Mrugasiewicz K, et al. Steroidal constituents and anti-inflammatory tivity of the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocas- tanum L.) bark. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper1989;65(2):137-141

9. Hitzenberger G. The therapeutic effectiveness of chestnut extract. Wien Med Wochenschr 1989;139(17):385-389.

10. Rothkopt M and Vogel G. New findings on the efficacy and mode of action of the horse chestnut saponin escin. Arzeimittelforschung 1976;26(2):225-235.

11. Tolino A. Medical treatment of the anorectal varicose syndrome in gynecology and obstetrics. Minerva Ginecol 1979;31(3):169-174.

12. Steiner M. Conservative therapy of chronic venous insufficiency. The extent of the edema-preventive effect of horse chestnut seed extract. Vasa Suppl 1991;33:217.

13. Balansard P, Joanny P and Bouyard P. Comparison of the vein tonus effect of dried horse chestnut extract and a combination of essential phospholipids and dried horse chestnut extract. Therapie 1975;30(6):907-917.

14. Guillaume M and Padioleau F. Veinotonic effect, vascular protection, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging properties of horse chestnut extract. Arzneimittelforschung 1994;44(1):25-35.

15. Bisler H, Pfeifer R, Kluken N, et al. Effects of horse chestnut extract on transcapillary filtration in chronic venous insufficiency. Dtsch Med Worchenschr 1986;111(35):1321-1329.

Horse Chestnut Seed Extract - Caps

Features & Benefits

• Reduces nighttime leg cramps, especially in the calves*3

• A potent free-radical scavenger that helps protect and improve blood circulation in the legs by decreasing transcapillary filtration*1

• Strengthens capillaries by reducing the activity of lysosomal enzymes and thus inhibiting the breakdown of mucopolysaccharides in the capillary walls*3

Facts About Horse Chestnut

In Europe, horse chestnut seed extract is a proven aid to maintain and improve capillary strength, especially in the legs.*1,3 Capillaries are protected from becoming too porous.2 In one double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover study, horse chestnut seed extract (providing 50 mg escin taken 2 times daily), improved vein integrity in only three hours.1 The researchers concluded that horse chestnut effectively supported capillaries and veins in the legs.*1

A study in Lancet compared horse chestnut to a placebo. The 240 people who received a 300 mg capsule (standardized to 56 mg escin) of horse chestnut seed extract 2 times daily, reported that porosity of the capillaries improved significantly.*2

Ingredient Highlights

Nature's Life uses the finest horse chestnut extract available, tested for purity and potency and backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!

Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L, Family Hippocastanaceae) is a deciduous tree native to southern Europe, but also cultivated in the United States and Canada. The tree grows 50-80 feet tall with large palmate-shaped leaves, bearing white, red or yellow flowers in late spring followed by seed pods with one to six shiny, brown seeds.

Escin, a triterpene glycoside mixture, is the primary active ingredient in horse chestnut seed extract. The concentration of escin determines extract quality and effectiveness. Horse chestnut also contains the phytosterols beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol and alpha-spinasterol.

Horse Chestnut Safety

Horse chestnut is well tolerated. In controlled studies, the only side effects noted were mild gastric complaints, including nausea. No adverse effects were noted and no contraindications were listed.*3

References

1. Bisler H, Pfeifer R, Kluken N, Pauschinger P. Effects of horse-chestnut seed extract on transcapillary filtration in chronic venous insufficiency. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1986, Aug 29. 111(35):1321-9

2. Diehm C, Trampisch HJ, Lange S, and Schmidt C. Comparison of leg compression stocking and oral horse-chestnut seed extract in patients with chronic venous insufficiency. Lancet, 347, Feb 3, 1996 pp. 292-294

3. German Commission E Monographs, American Botanical Council 1996