Esculin
Other names: Esculin, Aesculetin, 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin-6-glucoside
Harm score: 2 (Derivatives of natural substances)
Esculin, also known as Esculin, Aesculetin, or 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin-6-glucoside, is a chemical found in certain plants such as the lords fir (Aesculus hippocastanum), where it is contained in the bark and a decoction of it is traditionally used in folk medicine. It is a glycoside, a group of organic chemical compounds that occur naturally in plants and some animals and are used in many applications due to their properties.
Esculin is used in cosmetics, where it is mainly applied due to its antioxidant properties. It is thus one of the favourite natural ingredients in caring and rejuvenating cosmetic products such as hand, face and body creams. In industry, esculin is also used to produce medical preparations and pharmaceuticals. Because of its fluorescent properties, it is often used in scientific research, especially in microbiology, to identify certain types of bacteria. Last but not least, esculin is also characterised by its anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous properties, which have led to its use in products for the treatment of varicose veins.