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 | What are the side effects of horse chestnut? |
|  Horse chestnut is an herbal remedy made from an extract of the seeds, bark, and leaves of the horse chestnut tree. For centuries horse chestnut was used to treat various medical conditions.Never eat unprocessed horse chestnuts taken from the tree, because they can cause nausea, vomiting, muscle twitching and weakness, and dilated pupils. With proper processing to remove the natural toxins, horse chestnut is relatively safe. Horse chestnut is generally well tolerated. The most common side effect is stomach upset. Rarely, allergic reactions may occur such as itching, runny nose, or even respiratory. There are reports of liver and kidney problems with use of horse chestnut.People with bleeding disorders should not use horse chestnut products. Horse chestnut products contain chemicals that may thin the blood, and can raise the risk of bleeding. Horse chestnut can be very toxic, especially for children. Use caution, and always talk to your doctor before using herbs or alternative medicines.Sources:Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2007.Peirce, A. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. William Morrow & Co., 1999. The Review of Natural Products. Facts & Comparisons, 2007. Mashour, N., G. Lin, W. Frishman, Herbal medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular disease: clinical considerations. Archives of Internal Medicine. 158 (1998).This answer prepared 2/20/2001. This information updated 1/22/2007. |
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