Evidence supporting the use of: Aescin
For the health condition: Hemorrhoids
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Aescin (also spelled escin) is the main active compound in horse chestnut seed extract (Aesculus hippocastanum). Its use for hemorrhoids is supported by both traditional use in Europe and a growing body of scientific evidence. Aescin is known for its anti-inflammatory, vasoprotective, and venotonic properties. Several randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have investigated the effects of aescin on chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition with pathophysiological similarities to hemorrhoids, and found benefits in reducing edema, pain, and vascular permeability.
Regarding hemorrhoids specifically, aescin has demonstrated efficacy in reducing symptoms such as pain, swelling, and bleeding in several small clinical studies and open-label trials. These effects are likely due to its ability to strengthen capillary walls, reduce inflammation, and improve venous tone. A 2010 Cochrane review on horse chestnut seed extract concluded that it appeared to be efficacious and safe for short-term treatment of CVI, and some included studies mentioned hemorrhoids as an indication. However, the overall number of high-quality studies directly focusing on hemorrhoids is limited, and most evidence is extrapolated from its use in related venous disorders.
In summary, aescin’s use for hemorrhoids is justified by moderate scientific evidence, primarily from its established benefits in venous insufficiency and supportive but less robust data specifically on hemorrhoids. More large-scale, high-quality trials are needed to confirm its efficacy for this indication.
Other ingredients used for Hemorrhoids
Aloe veragreen chiretta
apple
apricot
berry flavor
betel
bilberry
blackberry
butcher's broom
chamomile
citrus bioflavonoids
turmeric
dandelion
fiber blend (proprietary)
gotu kola
cellulose
horse chestnut
lemon
licorice root
Nettle
oregon grape
parsley
phellodendron amurense
plum fruit
prune
psyllium
rutin
slippery elm bark
Triphala
vitamin C
seaweed
Zinc
capsicum
punarnava
commiphora
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
Rubia cordifolia
peony
Szechuan lovage
Morus
Myrrh
Morinda
birch
aster root
shepherd's purse
paw paw
geranium
sea salt
avens
apple cider vinegar
antler
anthraquinone
Ardisia
Angelica
Acacia
Agrimony
Allicin
Antirrhinum majus
Achyranthes
Abrus
Alchemilla
Aconite
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Aescin
anthocyanidins
Agrimonia pilosa
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Baliospermum
Blepharis
Brassica
bayleaf
bran
Barleria
bael
banyan
bioflavonoids
black nightshade
borassus palm
Borassus aethiopum
black root
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Bergenia
Chinese silkvine
Cucurbita
coconut oil
cactus
cinquefoil
Cyathula
chard
cabbage
chestnut
Cynodon dactylon
castor oil
Carthamus
colocynth
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Chondrus
Dianthus
Diosmin
elephant\'s head
escin
Embelia
fiber
Ficus simplicissima
hazelnut
Indian coraltree
Kokilaksha
lichen
Lycopodium
labrador tea
little ironweed
Methylcellulose
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Mountain Pepper
Mucilage
Morning glory
Nymphaea nouchali
Nimbidin
Oak
Oroxylum indicum
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Onosma bracteatum
pagoda tree
Pluchea
Prunus
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
proanthocyanidins
Portulaca
Persimmon
Papayotin
Polygonum
Rosabin
Ruscus
Ruscogenins
Rosa laevigata
Rutosides
rhubarb
Shark Liver Oil
Sanguisorba
Sarivan
Sumac
Sword Bean
Terminalia
Tannins
Taraxacin
Troxerutin
Tamarind
Varuna
Wax Gourd
Witch Hazel
Winter Begonia
Yellow Dock
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Aescin
Bruises (healing)Capillary Weakness
Edema
Hemorrhoids
Inflammation
Phlebitis
Spider Veins
Sprains
Varicose Veins
Wounds and Sores