Horse Chestnut Effective for Vein Health

ROGGWIL, Switzerland—A meta-analysis of five clinical studies, conducted by researchers from Bioforce AG, found horse chestnut seed extract in a fresh plant tincture, tablets and topical gel were effective in reducing the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (Adv Ther, 23, 1:179-90, 2006). The studies used Venaforce™ extract from Bioforce. In their review, the researchers reported the Venaforce product in its different forms significantly decreased ankle and lower leg swelling in patients with venous insufficiencies including varicose veins. According to the researchers, the efficacy of horse chestnut seed extract is due to its inhibitory effect on the breakdown of capillary wall proteoglycans.