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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using horse chestnut (Venastat)?

Do not use horse chestnut without first talking to your doctor if you have

• a history of blood clots;
• colitis or other stomach or intestine related illnesses;
• diabetes;
• vitamin K deficiency;
• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
• are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• heart disease;
• low blood pressure;
• poor blood circulation;
• liver disease; or
• kidney disease.

Horse chestnut may not be safe for use if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Before using horse chestnut, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants, foods, medicines, dyes, or preservatives), have any medical condition, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Horse chestnut may not be recommended in some situations.

Horse chestnut is generally not recommended for use by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.

How should I use horse chestnut (Venastat)?

The use of horse chestnut in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

If you choose to use horse chestnut, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.

Horse chestnut cream and gel is intended for external use only. Do not take it my mouth. Wash your hands before and after application of the topical product. Apply a thin layer of the medication to the affected area and rub it gently into the skin. Do not apply the product to the eyes, nose, mucous membranes, or broken skin.

Take the oral forms of horse chestnut with a full glass of water.

Take oral horse chestnut after a meal to reduce the chance of stomach upset.

Standardized extracts, tinctures, and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements may provide a more reliable dose of the product.

Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, topical formulations, and others) of horse chestnut at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of horse chestnut.

Store horse chestnut as directed on the package. In general, horse chestnut should be protected from light, heat, and moisture.

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