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Deciduous tree with a height between 15 and 30 meters.
"Aesculus" is the Latin name of an Holly oak.
"Hippocastanum" means horse chestnut, because was formerly used to feed livestock.
Popular names: "Horse-chestnut", "Conker tree", etc.
Hermaphrodite and zygomorphous white flowers with yellow and red spots, divided into five unequal and pubescent petals.
The yellow-spotted flowers secrete nectar, however, the pink are not visited by pollinating insects.
Arranging seven stamens longer than petals and with reddish color anthers.
Tricarpelar gynaecium with superior ovary.
Racemose inflorescence as a pyramidal and erect spike.
Branches with horseshoe-shaped marks where the leaves grow.
Blooming in late spring.
Wood very porous and of little use in carpinetry.
The tree is very resistant to cold and pollution.
In many cases it is used as an ornamental tree.
Leaves compound, large, peciolate, opposite and palmate form, with irregular serrate margin.
Axonomorphous root.
In autumn-winter the leaves dry up and fall
Encapsulated fruit and spiny, between one and three small red seeds called chestnuts.
The fruit matures in autumn.
Fruit unfit for human consumption.
Originating of a small area of the Balkans, particularly in northern Greece, Albania and the Republic of Macedonia. Also in Asia Minor.
Nowadays being grown in many temperate regions, especially in Central Europe and North America.
The used parts are the seeds, leaves and cortex.
Contains several active ingredients such as tannins, flavonoids, saponins, escin, and many other chemical components.
The dosage units are in the form of ointments and oral capsules, and in the case of homeopathic use as drops.
Used for circulatory problems, as a potent vasoconstrictor, vasoprotective, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-edema.
Astringent effect for the tannins and diffuser effect for the saponins.
Toxicity due to the confusion of the seeds of the chestnut (Castanea sativa) instead of the seeds of horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum).
Contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation and children under 10 years because of potential adverse effects of tannins.