Horse Chestnut Seed Extract for Venous Insufficiency (Varicose Veins / Spider Veins)

About 30 years ago, a major medical journal The Lancet published a clinical trial showing significant reduction in lower leg swelling with horse chestnut seed extract (HCSE) vs placebo. The reduction in leg swelling with HCSE was similar to that seen in patients wearing compression stockings. Subsequent studies have also shown an improvement in leg pain and itching with HCSE. It is thought that HCSE decreases the leakage of fluid out of veins by helping seal the vein walls. There are other supplements and herbs that can help as well. Many of them can cause some stomach discomfort among other possible side effects.

Diehm C, Trampisch HJ, Lange S, Schmidt C. Comparison of leg compression stocking and oral horse-chestnut seed extract therapy in patients with chronic venous insufficiency. Lancet. 1996 Feb 3;347(8997):292-4. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(96)90467-5. PMID: 8569363.