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Dietary supplement

Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Genestra Brands

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud is a dietary supplement by Genestra Brands with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for chronic venous insufficiency, leg swelling and heaviness, varicose veins.Based on those ingredients, 122 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) bud extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud by Genestra Brands

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This liquid contains one active ingredient: horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) bud extract. Traditionally, horse chestnut has been used to support circulation and leg comfort, particularly in people with chronic venous insufficiency (poor circulation in the legs).

The extract is suspended in water, ethanol, and glycerin.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: leg and circulatory health support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), Hemorrhoids, Postoperative swelling, varicose veins, leg heaviness, bruising.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Horse Chestnut is rated "Possibly Effective" for Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Horse Chestnut is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Hemorrhoids, Postoperative swelling.

Horse chestnut bud extract is rated possibly effective for chronic venous insufficiency—the most established use for this plant. For hemorrhoids, kidney stones, and irritable bowel syndrome, the evidence isn't reliable enough to rate it one way or the other.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Horse Chestnut

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

When properly processed (with the toxic compound esculin removed), horse chestnut seed extract is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth. The most common side effects from trials were dizziness, upset stomach, headache, and itching.

However, horse chestnut is not safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding—there isn't enough safety data to know either way, so the data advises against it in both cases. One rare case report described a serious heart condition after someone consumed a large amount of horse chestnut paste over weeks, though a direct cause wasn't proven.

Leg cramps have also been reported. Raw plant parts are toxic and should never be used; only properly processed extracts are appropriate.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Horse Chestnut

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Horse Chestnut.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 122 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you use any blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs—including warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, or any similar medication. Horse chestnut may increase bleeding risk when combined with these drugs.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Horse chestnut bud extract may help with circulation problems in the legs, but it's not for everyone. If you take any blood thinner or blood-clotting medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product.

Avoid it entirely if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk it over with your own healthcare provider to see if it's a fit for you.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 19, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud, straight from the product label.

Brand Genestra Brands
Barcode (UPC) 883196118618
Net contents 0.5 Fluid Ounce(s); 15 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 19, 2022
DSLD ID 264428
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud by Genestra Brands, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
0.28 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.28 mL
Servings per container
53
UPC/BARCODE
883196118618
IngredientAmount% DV
Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) bud extract0.28 mL--

Other ingredients: Water, Purified, Ethanol, Glycerin

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Dose: Take 10 drops once daily or as recommended by your health professional. Invert bottle to 45 degrees and shake lightly allowing drops to fall directly into mouth or in 1/4 oz of water.

Precautions

For warnings and additional information, see outer box.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Use only if safety seal is intact.

Warning: If you are pregnant or lactating, have any health condition or are taking any medication, consult your health professional before use.

This product was sealed for your protection. Do not use if box or contents are open or damaged.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General Statements

Contents may not fill package in order to accommodate required labeling. Please rely on stated quantity.

Scan to learn about our quality excellence V2 962-15U

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

See for yourself

Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud by Genestra Brands label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud by Genestra Brands

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.28 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container53 Amounts shown are per serving.

0.28 mL per serving

Horse chestnut seed extract is most often used for chronic venous insufficiency, where standardized products may help reduce leg swelling, pain, and h...

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) bud extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Water, Purified, Ethanol, Glycerin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud by Genestra Brands Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
122Drugs
122 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) bud extract1 drug type · 122 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Horse chestnut may have antiplatelet effects and may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Horse chestnut contains the constituent esculin which has been shown to have antithrombotic effects. Therefore, horse chestnut might have antiplatelet effects. This has not been shown in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud, from the product label.

Genestra Brands

Name
Seroyal USA
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
ZipCode
15275
Phone Number
1-888-737-6925
Web Address
seroyal.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud by Genestra Brands: Common Questions

Does Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud by Genestra Brands interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud has a known interaction with 122 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What is horse chestnut bud extract used for?
It's traditionally used to support leg circulation and comfort, especially in people with chronic venous insufficiency (poor blood flow in the legs). There's fair evidence it may help with that condition.
Are there common side effects from taking this?
The most common ones reported in trials were dizziness, stomach upset, headache, and itching. However, a complete safety review hasn't been done, so other effects are possible.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. There isn't enough safety information during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so the data advises against it in both cases. Talk with your doctor if you have questions.
Does this product have fillers?
Yes, it contains water, ethanol (alcohol), and glycerin as inactive ingredients to carry the active horse chestnut extract.
Why can't I use raw horse chestnut instead of this extract?
Raw horse chestnut plant parts are toxic. This product uses a properly processed extract with the harmful compound removed, which is why it's safe when taken as directed.
What if I take a blood thinner—can I still use this?
You need to check with your doctor or pharmacist first. Horse chestnut may have anticlotting effects and could increase bleeding risk if combined with blood thinners like warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Phyto-Gen Horse Chestnut Bud's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 21 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Horse Chestnut 21 references
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. Ellenhorn MJ, et al. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnoses and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1997.
  3. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  4. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  5. Greeske K, Pohlmann BK. Horse chestnut seed extract-an effective therapy principle in general practice. Drug therapy of chronic venous insufficiency. Fortschr Med 1996;114:196-200.
  6. Robbers JE, Tyler VE. Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York, NY: The Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.
  7. Takegoshi K, Tohyama T, Okuda K, et al. A case of Venoplant-induced hepatic injury. Gastroenterol Jpn 1986;21:62-5.
  8. Jaspersen-Schib R, Theus L, Guirguis-Oeschger M, et al. [Serious plant poisonings in Switzerland 1966-1994. Case analysis from the Swiss Toxicology Information Center]. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 1996;126:1085-98.
  9. Popp W, Horak F, Jager S, et al. Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) pollen: a frequent cause of allergic sensitization in urban children. Allergy 1992;47:380-3.
  10. Diaz-Perales A, Collada C, Blanco C, et al. Cross-reactions in the latex-fruit syndrome: A relevant role of chitinases but not of complex asparagine-linked glycans. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;104:681-7. PubMed
  11. Blanco C, Diaz-Perales A, Collada C, et al. Class I chitinases as potential panallergens involved in the latex-fruit syndrome. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;103:507-13. PubMed
  12. Comaish JS, Kersey PJ. Contact dermatitis to extract of horse chestnut (esculin). Contact Dermatitis 1980;6:150-1. PubMed
  13. Pittler MH, Ernst E. Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2004. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. PubMed
  14. Ottillinger, B. and Greeske, K. Rational therapy of chronic venous insufficiency--chances and limits of the therapeutic use of horse-chestnut seeds extract. BMC.Cardiovasc.Disord. 2001;1(1):5. PubMed
  15. Pittler, M. H. and Ernst, E. Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev. 2004;(2):CD003230. PubMed
  16. Fang, Y., Zhao, L., Yan, F., Xia, X., Xu, D., and Cui, X. Escin improves sperm quality in male patients with varicocele-associated infertility. Phytomedicine. 2010;17(3-4):192-196. PubMed
  17. De Smet, P. A., Van den Eertwegh, A. J., Lesterhuis, W., and Stricker, B. H. Hepatotoxicity associated with herbal tablets. BMJ 7-13-1996;313(7049):92.
  18. Rehn, D., Unkauf, M., Klein, P., Jost, V., and Lucker, P. W. Comparative clinical efficacy and tolerability of oxerutins and horse chestnut extract in patients with chronic venous insufficiency. Arzneimittelforschung 1996;46(5):483-487.
  19. Edem E, Kahyaoglu B, Çakar MA. Acute Effusive Pericarditis due to Horse Chestnut Consumption. Am J Case Rep. 2016;17:305-8. PubMed
  20. Costa Santos D, Lérias G, Madruga I. Drug-induced Liver Injury Due to a Horse Chestnut Dietary Supplement. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2021;8(3):002389. PubMed
  21. Yi HY, Lee JY. Poisoning due to consumption of horse chestnut seed. Clin Exp Emerg Med 2021;8(4):333-335. PubMed

See these in context on the Horse Chestnut monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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