A plant record

Horse chestnut (Mawonje zendyen)

Aesculus hippocastanum

EnglishHorse chestnut

KreyòlMawonje zendyen

FrançaisMarronnier d'Inde

BotanicalAesculus hippocastanum

Horse chestnut (Mawonje zendyen) — Aesculus hippocastanum, used in Haitian and Caribbean herbal tradition

Traditionally used

⚠ Raw seeds and bark are poisonous — never eat them raw. Use only standardized extracts. Chronic venous insufficiency (heavy legs, swelling, varicose veins). Hemorrhoids. Edema of lower limbs.

Prepared as

Seeds, bark, leaves

Chemistry

Escin (mixture of triterpene saponins) — reduces capillary permeability (anti-edematous), venotonic, anti-inflammatory. Inhibits hyaluronidase and elastase.

In three languages

Kreyòl — ⚠ Grenn ak ekòs kri yo se pwazon — pa janm manje yo kri. Sèvi sèlman ak ekstrè ki prepare kòmsadwa. Ensifizans veinèz kwonik (janm lou, vars). Emowoyid. Édèm janm. Mawonje zendyen (marron d'Inde) kòn nan famasi tradisyonèl ewopeyèn ki disponib nan diaspora ayisyen pou pwoblèm vennez ak emowoyid. Pa janm itilize kòm grenn manje kri.

Français — ⚠ Les graines et l'écorce crues sont toxiques — ne jamais les consommer crues. N'utilisez que des extraits standardisés. Insuffisance veineuse chronique (jambes lourdes, œdèmes, varices). Hémorroïdes. Œdèmes des membres inférieurs. Le marron d'Inde est disponible dans les pharmacies traditionnelles accessibles à la diaspora haïtienne pour les problèmes veineux et les hémorroïdes; graines crues jamais consommées.

Safety

Safety notes for this plant are still being written. Until they are, treat it with a cautious hand.

Plants can look similar and be misidentified — always verify with a local herbalist or guide before use.

Kept alongside

LicoricePineapplePeacock flowerCalotropePapayaRingworm senna

More on Haitian plant medicine