Aesculus Hippocastanum – Homeopathic Medicine: Its Use, Indications and Dosage

It is a natural medicine prepared from the kernel of the fruit of a plant called horse-chestnut. This part of the plant undergoes potentization (process to prepare homeopathic medicines that brings out the medicinal powers of a drug) which produces homeopathic medicine Aesculus Hippocastanum.

Aesculus has been used for ages as a traditional medicine for hemorrhoids, and venous stasis which means sluggish blood flow in veins. It is used for treatment of piles and for its prevention too. Some people carry chestnut as a custom with them as a preventive measure for piles. Aescin which is the active component in horse chestnut extract has been proved to possess many medicinal properties, like reducing inflammation and swelling in body parts, and improving blood flow in veins.

The ‘Aesculus Hippocastanum’ Constitution

It suits persons who have tendency to develop piles and gastric troubles. Other than this it suits those having predisposition towards varicose veins and venous stasis.

Drug Action

This medicine mainly acts on lower bowels, rectum, veins, lower back, pelvis, hip joint, sacroiliac joints, liver and throat.

Clinical Indications

Piles, constipation, backache, hip joint disease, sacroiliac joint complaints, ankylosing spondylitis, varicose veins, varicocele, liver complaints and throat disorders.

 Scope as a Homeopathic Remedy

1. Complaints of Rectum (piles and constipation)

If we talk of rectal complaints, then the foremost indication to use Aesculus is piles. Piles refers to swollen, inflamed, engorged veins in the anus and lower rectum. Aesculus can treat piles very effectively. This medicine works by toning the veins and reducing swelling of veins. Additionally, Aesculus improves blood circulation in veins and reduces venous congestion, besides relieving pain. Among the various types of piles, it is most suitable to treat external piles which is characterized by large hemorrhoids resembling a purple bunch of grapes, along with swelling. The hemorrhoids seem to block the rectum. People complaining of intense pain during or after passing stool can benefit tremendously by its use. They may also have worsening of pain specifically while standing and walking. Other than this, rawness, soreness and burning sensation at the anus is wonderfully relieved with this medicine. Though usually recommended for painful, external, non-bleeding piles, in some cases it has also resulted in bleeding piles too. It also relieves patients of itching.

Aesculus is also used when bowel action is slow and constipation occurs. Basically it helps when the stool is hard, dry and knotty, and is large and passes out with much difficulty. A very peculiar rectal symptom may be experienced by those needing it — dryness in rectum along with a very unique sensation of small sticks filling up the rectum. The medicine also effectively deals with backache that follows hard, large, and uneasily relieved stool.

Other than these, it can be of help to reduce anal irritation caused by ascarides worms. Expulsion of ascarides worms is another notable action of this medicine.

Key indicating features

1. painful external non-bleeding piles

2. constipation with hard, dry, knotty, large and difficult stool

3. sensation of small sticks filling up the rectum

2. Joint complaints (sacroiliac joint complaints and hip joint pain)

It is a brilliant medicine to treat joint complaints. This medicine has a marked affinity to treat complaints related to sacroiliac joints (a joint connecting sacrum and the iliac part of hip bone). It is helpful in reducing inflammation in sacroiliac joints (sacroiliitis), it is also capable of treating sacroiliac joint complaints that follow an injury, trauma or a fall.

It has clinical significance in treating hip arthritis and degenerative hip. It is also used when person complains of bruised aching pain in the hips.

Key indicating features

1. sacroiliac joint inflammation or injury

2. Hip joint inflammation with bruised aching hip pain

3. Back and spine complaints (lower-back pain, ankylosing spondylitis and disc prolapse)

Its action is most marked on the lower back including lumbo-sacral part and hips. Difficulty in walking and stooping due to pain are the marked features in persons in need of this medication. Sometimes the pain is so intense that it makes walking impossible. Rising up from a sitting position is difficult for the person. Not only does Aesculus relieve pain, but also works on stiffness in lower back. Weakness in the backbone along with pain is another characteristic symptom indicating its use. Lower back pain radiating down the thighs also guides its use.

Ankylosing spondylitis

This is an autoimmune disease causing chronic inflammation of joints of spine can be managed well with Aesculus. Ankylosing spondylitis usually begins with an inflammation of sacroiliac joints. It moderates the autoimmune activity, reduces the inflammation of this joint and gives relief from its symptoms including painful and stiff lower back.

This medicine is not limited to lower back pain, it can also be used to get rid of upper back pain where it works well for pain in the neck and between the shoulder blades.

Other than these, its role in managing cases of herniated or prolapsed inter-vertebral discs (shock absorbing cushions in between the vertebrae that form the backbone) is worth mentioning.

Key indicating features

1. Lower back pain worse from walking and stooping

2. Ankylosing spondylitis

4. Poor blood circulation and varicose veins

This medicine helps greatly in cases of poor blood circulation in veins (venous stasis) and varicose veins. Varicose veins refer to veins that are swollen, enlarged, engorged or overfilled with blood. By its action of improving tonicity of veins and improving blood flow, it is successful in treating varicose veins. Aesculus particularly helps when there are purplish-coloured varicose veins.

Key indicating features

1. purple-colored varicose veins

 

5. Men-related problems (varicocele, involuntary prostatic fluid discharge, seminal discharge with sexual dreams)

In this category, the main complaint where Aesculus proves effective is varicocele that refers to enlarged, dilated and swollen veins in the scrotum. Aesculus reduces swelling in the veins and improves blood flow in veins of the scrotum.

Another complaint that can be managed with Aesculus is discharge of prostatic fluid while passing urine or stool. Lastly, it helps to manage seminal discharge accompanied with amorous dreams (dreams related to sexual desire).

Key indicating features

1. varicocele

2. involuntary discharge of prostatic fluid while passing stool or urine

6. Women-related problems (vaginal discharges)

It proves to be a very beneficial medicine for managing vaginal discharge in women. The discharge is yellow, thick and sticky in nature. Females also complain of lower back pain along with this issue. This discharge increases after menses.

Key indicating features

1. thick, yellow, sticky vaginal discharges

2. vaginal discharge with lower back pain

7. Gastric and Liver issues (heartburn, navel pain, pain in liver)

Aesculus helps in managing gastric complaints like heartburn, pain in the navel area, burning sensation in stomach and empty belching of wind. A metallic taste can be felt in these gastric problems.

If there is a problem in the liver, there is mild pain in and around the liver, a feeling of fullness, and burning sensation in the liver along with nausea and vomiting is another key indication. Aesculus is also given to treat jaundice.

Key indicating features

1. pain, tenderness in and around the liver

8. Headache

It is suitable for treating pain that originates in the back of the head (occiput) which extends to the frontal part. Aesculus also helps where a person feels certain pressure in the forehead, accompanied with nausea.

Key Indicating Features

1. pain emanating from back of head to the front

2. pressure in forehead with nausea

9. Throat infections (follicular pharyngitis, throat pain, cough)

Some of the throat complaints also come within the treatment sphere of this medicine. This mainly includes follicular pharyngitis, meaning inflammation at the back of the throat. Rough dry throat along with burning sensation are the guiding symptoms to use Aesculus.  Another symptom to consider use of this medicine is throat pain of stitching type extending to ear when swallowing. Another important symptom for use is hawking (to clear the throat) of mucus that is ropy (like a rope) and has a sweet taste. Lastly it can be given for cough that is dry and short caused by soreness in the larynx.

Key indicating features

1. throat pain radiating to ear on swallowing

2. dry, short cough triggered by hurting irritation in larynx

 Modalities

Worsening Factors: The complaints get worse while walking or standing, in conditions where this medicine is prescribed

Relieving Factors: A general relief in complaints from being in cool open air.

Dosage

It can be given in both low and high potencies. In low potency, it can be repeated frequently, while using its high potency, frequent repetition is not advised.

Relationship with Other Remedies

Antidoted by: Nux vomica
Complementary medicines are Carbo Veg, Lachesis and Muriatic Acid