Horse Chestnut Herbal Balm

. . . supports healthy veins and circulation

Features & Benefits

• Topical use of standardized horse chestnut seed extract balm supports healthy venous circulation, resulting in improved blood flow in the legs and other body parts1

• Horse Chestnut Herbal Balm contains the natural bioflavonoid aescin and other natural plant sterols2

• Topical aescin helps reduce the natural inflammatory response and fluid accumulation that may accompany muscle trauma

Facts About Horse Chestnut Herbal Balm

Blood vessels are essential components of the circulatory system as they function to return blood to the heart. The walls of veins and capillaries are delicate, and therefore can become easily damaged. This may lead to a weakening of the vein or capillary walls. Damage to the valves found in leg veins can diminish blood circulation, leading to tired, swollen or painful legs.

Aescin, a natural bioflavonoid, is the active constituent in horse chestnut seed extract. Taken orally, it helps protect the blood vessels from weakened or impaired function by strengthening capillaries, which can reduce swelling. Aescin supplements work by  improving the ability of elastic fibers in blood vessel walls to contract thus increasing blood vessel flexibility.3, 4, 5  In addition, aescin promotes normal tone of the walls of the veins, thereby promoting return of blood to the heart.

When applied topically, standardized horse chestnut seed extract balm with 2% aescin supports healthy skin, blood vessels and muscles.1, 6, 7 Horse chestnut creme has been shown to help maintain healthy veins in the legs and hemorrhoidal plexus (anal area).6

Standardized horse chestnut balm with 2% aescin, applied directly to the skin, can also be supportive after athletic trauma.6 Horse chestnut balm supports normal range-of-motion in joints while easing swelling in joints, such as ankles and knees.6, 7 In addition, standardized horse chestnut balm with 2% aescin applied topically to an area may lessen fluid accumulation common to swelling.1

One double-blind study assessed the effectiveness of a topically-applied standardized horse chestnut seed extract balm (containing 2 % aescin) for localized swelling and blood accumulation. Compared to a placebo creme, the aescin-containing creme reduced tenderness in the affected area.1

Health care practitioners, such as sports medicine specialists, physical therapists, chiropractors and naturopaths sometimes use standardized horse chestnut seed extract balm containing 2% aescin by applying it topically to an affected area and then using a process called iontophorese to drive the balm into the skin with the aid of electric current from physiotherapy equipment.

Full-Disclosure Ingredients

Deionized Water, Horse Chestnut Seed Extract (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) [Standardized to 2% aescin], Phospholipids from Safflower and Sunflower Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Apricot Kernel Oil, Soy Lecithin, Glycerine (Vegetable), Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), Arnica Extract, Panthenol, Saccharide Isomerate, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan (Irish Moss), Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Natural Fragrant Essential Oils Blend and Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate.

Nature's Life Horse Chestnut Herbal Balm is a soothing topical creme standardized to contain 2% aescin. This standardized herbal extract from horse chestnut seeds provides the same 2% potency of aescin used successfully in scientific research.

References

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

2. Senatore F, Mscisz A, Mrugasiewicz K, et al. Steroidal constituents and anti-inflammatory activity of the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) bark. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper 1989;65(2):137-141

3. 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

4. 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

5. German Commission E Monographs, American Botanical Council 1996

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

7. Desogus AI and D'Alia G. Venotropic therapy: results of clinical experimentation. Clin Ter 1986;118(5):339- 342