Edible chestnuts

Important sources of vitamins and minerals, edible chestnuts are a real help to people with physical and intellectual asthenia, convalescence, elderly and children.

The chestnut (Castanea sativa) is originally from SE Europe, but grows spontaneously up to 45-50 C north latitude.

For therapeutic purposes, the harvested parts of the edible chestnut are the bark, flowers, leaves and seeds.

The fruits have a similar composition to the wheat and are a source of carbohydrates, phosphorus, lecithin and vitamin C. They also contain protides, fat, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, potassium and their caloric value is 200 calories per 100 g.

The gathering of the edible chestnuts happens in late September and early November.

Chestnut puree is one of the few products which, heat processed, still maintain in a large amount the vitamins found in the fresh fruit.

Properties of chestnut fruit

For internal use, you can use fresh chestnut fruits, which are consumed cooked, boiled or mashed. Edible chestnuts are recommended for people with physical and intellectual asthenia, convalescence, elderly and children because they are rich in minerals and vitamins (less degradable in the preparation process).

Therapeutic indications of chestnuts

The mixture of mashed chestnuts and cheese (in equal proportions), sweetened with honey, is an easily digestible food and very energizing.

Edible Chestnut leaves develop a sedative action on respiratory organs and are used to treat bronchitis (infusion form).

Used as an infusion, chestnut bark helps in reducing the body's temperature.

Chestnuts acts as a tonic for the muscles, nerves and veins and reduce capillary permeability. To treat hemorrhoids, varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, it is advisable to eat one bowl of sweetened chestnut puree with honey before breakfast and dinner. It is a diet that should be kept for several weeks.

External use

For external uses, very effective are dried chestnuts too.

In case of chilblains or rheumatic pain that gets worse when temperature is low, boil five handfuls of chestnut with three liters of water until is reduced by half. After filtering the resulted decoction, wash the affected area with it (its best to use a hot decoct, as much as you can endure). The application takes 10-15 minutes and should be repeated daily until complete healing.

Is cosmetics, the chestnut honey mask is used for all skin types, because of its anti-inflammatory properties, reducing capillary fragility, protecting from UV radiation. Also this masks protects the hyaluronic acid in the skin and normalizes sebaceous gland secretion.

Results are visible especially in delaying the general process of aging of the skin and revitalizing dry skin, which regain its shape and velvet look. The mask should be kept on the face for 30 minutes and is removed with warm water.

Contraindications:

Diabetes and obese people can not enjoy the nutritional value of edible chestnuts.

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