MEDICINAL PLANTS

Large tree that reaches up to twenty feet high. It grows on land not limestone of the north and west of the peninsula, benefiting from the climate of the area. It was introduced by the Romans though supposedly originated in Asia Minor. The leaves fall in winter and have a large and elongated shape, can measure up to 15 inches long. It is deeply indented around the perimeter and can be easily observed nerves in the back, spread from the central nerve towards the end of the road, and its discourse in parallel. The leaves are leathery and have a very dark color in the beam.

FLOWERING

Flowering occurs in May and June and fruiting in October. The flowers are small. The male is very small and grow along an axis that arises from the axils of the branches. The women are grouped into number three, being born at the foot of the male flower bouquet. The fruit, so well known by all, is the classic chestnut. They are grouped in threes, surrounded by a sort of sheath that has many prongs. The fruit itself has two distinct sides: one is flat, while the other is convex. Each seed is covered with a reddish-brown skin, bright on the outside, with some hairs on the inside. Inside are the chestnut, covered with a second skin very thin, difficult to separate, and which gives it a certain bitterness.

APPLICATIONS

The leaves have brown tannic substances, sucrose, glucose, fats and pectins. In the cortex there are plenty of tannic acid, which can represent up to 16%, according to tree age. Both the bark and the wood and leaves are astringent and therefore its use is valid to fight diarrhea and also as anti-inflammatory throat through the practice of rinsing. The nut contains 50% fresh water. The chestnut pilonga dry or has a 30% starch, 10% glucose and dextrins and albuminoids.

ADMINISTRATION

Decoction. Add 60 grams of bark and leaves of brown on one liter of water, bringing it to boil for fifteen minutes, after filtering the resulting liquid can be sweetened with saccharin, constituting a useful remedy for mild diarrhea. It can take up to four cups a day. Also this is used to make liquid rinse and gargle, for its antiinflammatory effect.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Fagaceae
HABITAT: Land without lime north and west
FLOWERING: May and June
PART USED: Leaves and bark
CASTILIAN: Castaño regoldo
CATALAN: Castanyer
BASQUE: Gaztañondo
GALICIAN: Castanheiro

USES

Moderate Expectorant, Antidiarrheal Leve, Antirheumatic Leve.