Chestnut

Chestnut belongs to the genus Castanea of the beech family (Fagaceae) and widely cultivate in Europe, the U.s., China and Japan. Chestnuts generally range in height from 30 to 60 feet and have furrowed bark with toothed walnut or lance shaped leaves. The leaves are glossy and green but turn bronze in the fall. The staminate (male) flowers are borne in small spikes called catkins and the pistillate (female) flowers are hardly noticeable. The fruits are very spiny round burs, usually containing 2 or 3 shiny dark brown nuts.

The American chestnut one ranged throughout the eastern half of the U.S. and was one of the commonest trees there. Its wood was widely used for making rail fences and its nut were roasted and eaten by early settlers. Today the species most widely cultivated are the Spanish chestnut, the Japanese chestnut and especially the Chinese chestnut.

The horse-chestnut belongs to the family hippocastanaceae and the water-chestnut is an aquatic plant of the evening primrose family (Onagraceae). The cape chestnut is a tall South African tree while the Moveton Bay chestnut is a member of the legume family (Leguminosae).

Benefit and uses of Chestnut.

• Chestnut leaves are used as a popular remedy in fever and ague, for their tonic and astringent properties.
• Chestnut efficacy in paroxysmal and convulsive coughs, such as whooping-cough, and in other irritable and excitable conditions of the respiratory organs.
• Important use of chestnuts is to be ground into flour, which can then be used to prepare bread, cakes and pasta.
• People consume nuts regularly are less likely to suffer from coronary heart disease.
• It can repair microscopic holes and leaks in blood vessels, venules, and capillaries. Aescin also increases vein wall elasticity to prevent swelling and damage.
• Horse chestnut is a great herb for vein health and circulation and should be a part of your dietary supplement regimen for vein health.