August 1998 LE Magazine August 1998 New Therapy for Varicose Veins Overseas studies reveal the venotonic properties of horse chestnut extract M ore than 80 million Americans, the majority of them women, have varicose veins. This is not just a cosmetic problem, as the appearance of varicose veins can be an early symptom of serious vascular disease. Earlier this year, a Swiss pharmaceutical company introduced to the United States a popular European herbal drug, horse chestnut, that is virtually unknown to Americans. Horse chestnut's action against edema is extraordinarily strong and long-lasting, and 600 times more powerful than rutin.
Horse chestnut is one of the better-validated German herbal medications.
Doctors throughout Europe prescribe horse chestnut to treat varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency and leg swelling. Horse chestnut is the second most popular herb prescribed in Germany, greatly outselling herb extracts such as echinacea and St. John's wort . One way that horse chestnut functions is to reduce the number and diameter of small pores in the capillary membranes, thus reducing the escape of fluid into the surrounding tissues. After 12 weeks on horse chestnut extract, fluid volume of the leg was reduced by an average of 43.8 milliliters, while the placebo group showed an increase of 9.8 milliliters in fluid retention. Horse chestnut therapy compared favorably with compression stocking therapy, which many people find uncomfortable.