Horse chestnut is popularly known as conker tree in some parts of Asia, The Horse-chestnut is a big sized deciduous tree. People in North America, Japan and Korea also symbolises it with prosperity and uses it for ornamental purposes. Native to Pindus Mountains and Balkan mixed forests of South East Europe, Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is now widely cultivated throughout the temperate world.
As discussed above, It is a big size tree which reaches up to a height of 118 feet and more. Once the leaves have shredded the leaf imprints left on the twig have a specific horseshoe shape, complete with seven "nails". It usually bears white flowers with a small red spot; the tree blooms any time from the beginning of April onwards till the middle of May. Approximately 1 to 5 fruit grows on each panicle; the shell is green in color with spiked like capsule containing one nut-like seeds called conkers.
It's seeds and leaves are known for treating varicose veins, phlebitis, diarrhea, fever, enlarged prostate, hemorrhoids and chronic venous insufficiency. These miraculous nuts are equally effective in menstrual problems and other periods related problems. Apart from these benefits the nuts are also helpful in curbing eczema, cough, arthritis, and joint pain. It is also used externally on skin to treat lupus and skin ulcers.
Serving Ideas For Horse Chestnut
The staple food of native Americans for centuries, it can be served in different interesting ways. They are sweet in taste so make the desserts more delicious. Have a look on serving ideas for Horse chestnut.
Like other nuts one can eat them in raw form and roasted too. But one should cautiously incise it a little or make small holes to avoid busting of the nut.
People use it with steamed rice in Japan and some other parts of the world.
We can use this in delicious sweet rice known as Zarda in Northern parts of India, to enhance taste and garnishing.
We can also use it in roasted stuffed chickens.
The flour of Horse chestnut can be used in many bakery items like sweet breads, cakes, biscuits and for thickening of ice-creams and tomatoes soup.
It makes butter cream and yoghurt flavoured and savoury.
How Does Horse Chestnut Works?
Due to its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties the herb helps to tone the vein walls that become varicose, haemorrhoidal or problematic. The plant also decreases fluid retention by boosting the permeability of the capillaries thereby enabling the re-absorption of excess fluid back into the circulatory system. The seeds are expectorant, tonic and decongestant in action. They find extensive usage in the treatment of rheumatism and haemorrhoids. Since the seed extracts are a good source of a saponin known as aescin, it helps tone the walls of the veins, thus improving the flow and circulation through the veins and enhances the return of blood supply to the heart.
Chemical Constituents of Horse Chestnut
The chemical constituent of its includes aglycones (barringtogenol, protoaescigenin), aescin (a mixture of triterpenoid saponins), phytosterol, flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, among others), hydroxycoumarins (aesculin, scopolin and fraxin ) and tannins (proanthocyanidins).
Nutritional Facts about Horse Chestnut
Looking at the nutritional facts of Horse chestnut, we will find Horse chestnut the seed is a good source of vitamin K, protein, ash, carbohydrate, and triterpene. It also contains various saponins such as aescine, purines, starch, tannins, albumin, flavones, sugar, and fatty oil. Hundred grams of Horse chestnut contains 213 Kcal, carbohydrates 45.54 grams, protein 2.42 grams, total fat 2.26 grams, dietary fiber 8.1 grams, vitamin C 43mg, vitamin A 28 IU, calcium 27 mg and potassium 518 mg.
There are various health benefits of it. Many parts of this tree, including the bark, seeds and leaves, have been used for its medicinal value for years due to the various health benefits it offers. Some of the health benefits of it is include the following...
Helps relieve cough and pain or inflammation associated with arthritis and also helps in controlling fever.
Used to treat inflammations, skin ulcers and sun burns.
Significant in treating all circulatory disorders such as poor circulation, varicose veins, and chilblains.
Horse-chestnut cures respiratory problems and other problems like bronchitis.
Horse-chestnut is also effective in treating prostate problems like piles and gastroenteritis.
It helps to curb neuralgia and thrombosis.
Horse-chestnut nourishes weak veins and arteries.
It is effective in blood circulation.
It gives relief from menstrual pain.
It is useful in treating phlebitis.
It is also effective in curing malaria and eczema.