Cardiovascular

Chronic venous insufficiency

4 plants

Aching, edema, gaiter skin. Stockings first. Horse-chestnut seed extract (aescin) has human CVI data — raw seed is toxic. Gotu kola triterpenes have venous/wound-adjacent trials. Acute unilateral swelling is DVT until the algorithm says otherwise. Ulcer with odor is wound care.

Primary plants

1
Horse chestnutHuman data
Aesculus hippocastanum
Aescin-standardized seed extract: human CVI symptom data. Raw seed is toxic.
Typical. Delayed-release seed extract as labeled (often 50–150 mg aescin/day educational range).
Safety. Raw seed toxic. Exclude DVT. GI. Poor products: nephrotoxicity reports.
2
Gotu kolaHuman data
Centella asiatica
Triterpene extracts have human venous and wound-adjacent data.
Typical. Standardized total-triterpene extract as labeled (venous-trial neighborhood often 60–180 mg/day triterpenes).
Safety. Rare DILI. Apiaceae. Identity: not Bacopa sold as brahmi.

Supportive plants2

Butcher's broomStrong traditional
Ruscus aculeatus
Traditional venous tonic; some European CVI product data.
Typical. Rhizome extract as labeled.
Safety. GI. Not for pregnancy as a default.
Witch hazelStrong traditional
Hamamelis virginiana
Topical astringent comfort on intact gaiter skin. Not compression.
Typical. Distillate on intact skin.
Safety. Sting on fissures.

When this is not enough

Acute unilateral swelling (DVT), arterial-insufficient ankle-brachial, fever, wet ulcer with systemic symptoms

Rooted is a private clinical reference for licensed practitioners. It is educational, not a treatment protocol, and not a substitute for the chart, the exam, or pharmacy review. Plant medicines interact with drugs and can harm liver, kidney, heart, pregnancy, and children.

All cardiovascular diagnoses