A mature tree is densely leaved in summer and is an impressive sight. The leaves are made up of 5 to 7 leaflets. Horse chestnut trees grow in temperate areas of North America, Europe and Asia. Glues and finishes well. These saponins have been utilised for cleaning purposes for centuries. Its seeds have a great place in the European phytotherapy and may be used to deal with vascular issues. Today, the properly processed horse chestnut seed extract holds promise for treating leg vein problems (chronic venous insufficiency), hemorrhoids, and swelling (edema) . The chestnuts are then powdered including the brown shell using a spice mill. Horse Chestnut trees originated in the Balkans and were introduced to the UK in the 1600’s as an ornamental tree. Instead, horse chestnuts are used as conkers. September 1, 2018. Applying petroleum jelly regularly keeps the chestnut tissue soft and makes maintaining it more manageable. Horse chestnuts are part of the soapberry family which means they contain saponins. Using saponins means to use a natural form of soap. Make sure you cut carefully through the outer shell but not the nut inside. Wrap 5 – 6 horse chestnuts (not to be confused with the edible kind!) Answer: The horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) and the Ohio buckeye (A. glabra) are shade trees that produce lustrous, mahogany-colored nuts (or buckeyes, as they're called when they fall from the latter tree). 450g fresh chestnuts (weighed in their shells) are equivalent to 175g dried, reconstituted chestnuts, or 350g tinned or vacuum-packed nuts. Grab a hammer and vent your anger :D. Or go professional on them and use a decent blender ;). Chestnuts should be used within a week, and can be baked, roasted, boiled or microwaved. Put the however shredded chestnuts into a jar and add a cup of hot water. Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is a type of tree that grows throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Much more important is the escin component (the active compound), which should be between 100–150 milligrams per day. Conkers are also knows as Horse Chestnuts and were brought to the UK from south east Europe a few hundred years ago! Lay the chestnuts on their flat sides and, with a sharp knife, make a long slit crosswise over the top. The horse chestnut, therefore, though itself totally unfit for food, can be utilised indirectly to increase the nations food supply. Both come in green shells, but conker cases have short, stumpy spikes all over. (18) Some sources offer horse chestnut cream, which can be applied to … Sweet chestnut cases have lots of very find spikes, giving them the appearance of small green hedgehogs. It is an excellent oil to use in Gardeners Hand Creams or Winter creams as it helps to boost the circulation to the extremities and stop the fingers getting too cold. They are encased in spiky green husks, about the size of golf balls. Its fruits contain seeds that resemble sweet chestnuts but have a bitter taste. Horse Chestnut Recipes. Seeds from horse chestnut trees were traditionally used to reduce joint pain, soft tissue swelling, and fever as well as combat gut and bladder issues. In fact they can found whole and peeled in cans or vacuum packed, dried, pureed or in powder. How to Use Horse Chestnut Extract. Horse Chestnuts [Aesculus hippocastanum] are easily mistaken for Sweet Chestnuts. It takes longer for bigger pieces. Remember to cut a slit or cross in them to stop them exploding when they are cooked. What are the precautions when taking this product? Uses. Horse chestnut is used by some people to help with leg pain and swelling caused by problems with the veins in the legs. And they are hidden inside the meat of the chestnut.So you need to crack the chestnuts to activate the saponin. Although they are two different species, their fruit looks very similar. Raw chestnuts are not fit to eat, so it's important to cook chestnuts before serving. Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Both are brown with a light-coloured spot on them, so you must always take care when trying to identify a chestnut – particularly if you intend to eat them! Horse chestnuts consist of a soap-like substance – saponins. Avoid the use of raw horse chestnut seed, bark, flower, or leaves. If so, can you suggest any creative uses for them? The water so obtained will be rich in Tannins and taking a controlled quantity of this water ( tannins-rich ) will help in providing relief from diarrhea. The uses of horse chestnut have been documented in both folk uses and in conventional medical settings – and it’s important to differentiate between these two. Dried chestnuts are also available from health food stores, but must be soaked in water overnight then simmered before use. Horse Chestnut Uses for Varicose Veins and Improved Blood Circulation. It can relieve the aches from stiff joints and the massage improves overall performance. Historically, horse chestnut seed extract was used for joint pain, bladder and gastrointestinal problems, fever, leg cramps, and other conditions. Rot Resistance: Horse chestnut has poor decay resistance, and is rated as non-durable to perishable. Horse chestnut for building and construction is not typically advised. Place a piece of paper inside a tray, dip the conker in paint and roll it around the tray for an interesting paint effect. Horse chestnuts may not be edible, however, the good news is that their extract is a common ingredient in a variety of skincare products. The following steps to make Chestnut detergent: First, use a mixture of one liter of water with one tablespoon of baking soda to clean the horse chestnuts. Saponins are mildly toxic and that is the reason horse chestnuts and buckeye are not edible in their raw state. Fill a tall glass with them and leave them on a windowsill or dinner table for an instant autumn injection. Features of Horse Chestnut Trees. Horse chestnuts and buckeye also contain saponins, a soap-like chemical compound which is a surfactant (sapo is Latin for soap), but edible chestnuts do not. Making Laundry Soap from Horse Chestnuts and Buckeye nuts . (2) Or you can make a soap solution. Make them a feature. The Cosmetic Applications of Sweet Chestnut . The horse chestnut belongs to the order Sapindales and the family Sapindaceae, or the soapberry family. Chestnuts (Castanea spp.) Others use it to help with hemorrhoids. into a piece of cloth. Cultivation. Horse chestnut has been used for swelling and pain due to varicose veins and poor circulation in the legs.. Possessing anti-ageing properties which minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Horse chestnut has a significant amount of a poison named esculin and may cause death if taken by mouth in the raw form. Horse chestnut leaves, bark, flowers, and seeds have been used to help treat a lot of health problems for centuries. Some research has shown that chestnuts could help promote better digestion in a few different ways. However, it has absorbent properties that make it ideal for fruit racks and storage trays that keep the fruit dry and thereby prevent rotting. Workability: Horse chestnut is generally easy to work, but it’s low density and interlocked grain can lead to fuzzy surfaces, similar to Aspen or Cottonwood. To use chestnut tree bark for relief from diarrhea, boil a standard 3 spoons of crushed bark or equivalent chestnuts with shells in one-liter water and then let it cool to room temperature. Use them to paint. The wood of horse chestnut tends to be rather weak, and for this reason it has never been widely used. Oooh this post has been a LONG TIME in the making – 5 years to be exact. Conkers Crafts (aka Buckeye Crafts or Horse Chestnuts!) Today is all about CONKERS (also known as Buckeye or Chestnuts and for me the German Kastanien) – ie Conker Crafts for Kids. Chestnut season is brief but don’t panic, chestnuts needn't just be enjoyed fresh from their prickly casing. Four pounds of the skin-friendly chestnut powder lasts for about 100 washing machine loads. In supplement form, horse chestnut is generally suggested at doses between 400–600 milligrams per day, divided into two dosage times, 12 hours apart. Chestnut Soap. In herbal and folk medicine, horse chestnut seed, leaves, bark, and flowers have long been used to relieve symptoms, such as swelling and … Horse chestnut has a fine, even texture. Roast in the oven for around 30 minutes or until the skins split open. In Your Garden. Horse Chestnuts are one of the first trees to come into leaf each year. Place in a roasting dish large enough to have one layer of chestnuts, without overcrowding them. However, the ease of working with the wood does make it desirable for some uses such as: Turning; Carving; Veneer; Cabinets; Trim ; Plywood; Some furniture; Horse chestnut lumber and wood … by Angela Zahas. Horse Chestnut Seed Oil in a massage oil blend is superb for pre and post massage sessions. Similarly, the horse chestnut is also part of another family of plants unrelated to chestnuts, and although its extract is used as a natural remedy, it’s actually considered to be toxic. If you have none of the above at hand just go nuts on them (pun intended :D) using your ordinary kitchen knife. Improves Digestion. Inside, the conkers are round and glossy. 2. This keeps the chestnuts from bursting and makes them easier to peel. Like many poisonous plants, it can have useful medicinal properties when properly prepared. These items are not safe to take by mouth and may cause fatal side effects. Therefore, you have to cover the horse chestnuts with water. Crafting with Chestnuts/ Conkers (I am going to be so undecided as to which term to use throughout, so bear … The chestnut season is brief, but whole peeled chestnuts, either canned or vacuum-packed, are available from major supermarkets. Uses of horse chestnut. First, soften them with water, baby oil, or moisturizer, so they are easier to remove. To peel your horse’s chestnuts, you can use your hands and fingernails. After you finish, you can enhance the appearance of your horse’s legs with petroleum jelly. You can use the processed horse chestnuts in two ways: (1) You can put the pieces in an old stocking, make a knot and throw it in the washing machine with your laundry. Other, less widely investigated claimed benefits of horse chestnuts … Uses for Horse Chestnut Wood. You'll need to use a sharp pointed knife to slice either a horizontal slash or a large X along the flat side before roasting or boiling. Early fall is the time to forage for chestnuts—National Chestnut Week in the US runs October 9th–15th (yes, that’s a thing). Health Benefits 1. Odor: No characteristic odor. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and astringent properties; Contains escin (an active ingredient) which boosts vein health and possesses anti-inflammatory properties. The best cooking methods allow you to cook the nut in the shell and then remove it once it's softened. Although the leaves, bark, and flowers have been used in traditional herbal medicine, it is the big, shiny brown nut of the horse chestnut tree which is of greatest medicinal interest. Horse chestnut is a tree native to parts of southeastern Europe. Other ingredients are triterpene glycosides, quercetin, tannins, coumarin glycosides aesculin, and plant sterols. The horse chestnut (Aesculus), on the other hand, is slightly toxic to humans and many mammals, although not to squirrels or deer. 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