Question:
Anyone have any thoughts for helping varicose veins or the use/dosage/contraindications of horsechestnut.

Answer: -I do not know much about Horse chestnut except I have seen it in formulas for hemorrhoids. I am however familiar with Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) and it is used in cases of capillary astriction and for vitalizing the blood so it would be ideal for varicose veins. This herb is also very safe there are no contraindications as far as I know. You can take this as a decoction or a tincture. (decoction 1 cup 3 x's a day or tincture 1/2 tsp 3 x's day) -I would throw in a grab bag of precautions- feet need to be watched very carefully. Frostbite can give temporary or permanaent damage- if vascular disease is present or if you have a tendency to it that is another risk factor (like Reynaud's or intermittent claudication or venous insufficiency)- if you are a diabletic that is a 3rd, severe risk factor, and if you smoke, that is a 4th. And every time I read the EMS stuff about frost bite, they incude the lovely description of 'trenchfoot', which can develop in feet chronically exposed to cold and wet above freezing, but cold. The 'sore spots' really need close attention. What do they look like- color, size, open wound or more like a bruise- sensation in and around the sore spots- how long does each spot last- do you seem to heal completely? This is not an inclusive list. Your feet are important, and I'd encourage you to think about talking to a doc on this one and getting the input from that perspective (nah, i don;'t work for a podiatrist, but I've seen some ghastly consequences of people ignoring 'sore feet'- if you are diabetic you may not even feel the soreness in proportion to the damage- and of course the older we get the harder it is to get the foot in position to see well.