BROWN
BROWN
The
chestnut
tree is
a
native of Asia Minor, which
has
been cultivated since time immemorial. The Greeks and Romans it spread through Europe and later
was
taken to the New World. The
chestnut
has
no hurry to grow. For the 25 or 30 years begins to bear fruit, and reaches maturity from the 100 or 150 years. There are cases of
chestnut
trees that have lived over 1, 000 years.
HABITAT:
grows on land granite or slate,
but
not in the limestone of mountainous regions.
Common
, both in
central
and southern Europe, as in
America
.
Description:
sturdy tree trunks and thick, of the
family
of Fagáceas, which reaches up to 20 meters in height. The leaves, outdated, and are lanceolate in toothed hacksaw, born at
a
time, not in groups of 5 as in the
Indian
horse
chestnut
. The seeds (nuts) are housed in groups of 2 or 3 in an thorny shell (sea urchin)
Used parts:
the bark, leaves and seeds (nuts)
Active Principles.
Leaves:
abundant tannins and gálicos elágicos (9%) flavonoid derivatives quercetol and kenferol; triterpenes: Ursola acid. Hamamelilosa, resin, pectin,
vitamin C
(0. 2%) phytosterols.
Crust:
tannins (4 - 12%) pectin.
Drug Action.
The leaves are used as an expectorant, antitussive, astringent, antidiarrheal, antipyretic and anti. The bark is astringent.
PROPERTIES AND RECOMMENDED FOR:
The bark of the tree, and in smaller leaves are very rich in tannin, and contain sugar, pectin,
essential
oil, and other active ingredients. Its two most prominent properties are:
Astringent, meaning that desinflamar and dry mucous membranes. Hence prove very useful for cutting acute
diarrhea
and to make mouthwash and gargle in cases of inflammation of the mouth and throat.
Antitussives:
both applied locally in gargarismos, and in the form of
tea
, calm coughs rebel due to irritation of the upper
respiratory
tract (béquica action) The bark and leaves of
chestnut
are also used successfully in cases of whooping cough.
The nuts are rich in carbohydrates (more than 40 / o) and contain small amounts,
but
very usable, fat and
protein
and vitamins
A
, B and G and minerals. Its properties are more interesting:
Troop alkalizing substances that neutralize the excess acid in the blood and facilitate its elimination in the urine, which is especially useful to those suffering from rheumatism by excess uric acid (arthritism) and those who consumed meat in abundance.
Very low
sodium
(l milligram per 100 grams of edible portion) and high proportion of
potassium
(710 milligrams per 100 grams) That is why we are useful in the diets of hypertensive and heart.
Use:
decoction with 50 grams of shredded bark and leaves another 50 per
liter
of water (can also be done only with leaves, in which case they are 100 grams per
liter
of water) boil for 15 minutes, filtered and sweetened, preferably Honey, take 3 to 4 cups
a
day until the court
diarrhea
or cough disappears. Chestnuts can be taken raw, grilled or baked. For
children
is preparing
a
highly nutritious porridge with either boiled and crushed nuts.
Externally applied in mouthwashes and gargarismos being undertaken with the same decoction described for internal use. If desired sweeten, use honey.
Indications.
Stomatitis, parodontopatías,
pharyngitis
,
bronchitis
, coughing imitative,
influenza
, colds,
diarrhea
.
Side Effects.
The tannins can cause
gastrointestinal
discomfort, especially in patients with
dyspepsia
hipersecretoras. To mitigate this potential side effect, we recommend administering
herbal
teas postprandial associated with drug mucilages, as the
marshmallow
.
Galenica forms / Dosage.
Infusion (leaves)
A
spoonful of dessert per cup, infuse 10 minutes, 3 cups
a
day.
Decoction (bark) 30 to 50 g / l. Simmer 10 minutes. 2 to 3 cups
a
day, or externally in the form of mouthwashes gargarismos or enemas.
Fluid extract (1:
1) 30 to 50 drops, 1 to 3 times
a
day.
Dry extract (5:
1) 50 - 100 mg / capsule, take one to two capsules three times
a
day.
Syrup:
1 to 3 tablespoons
a
day.
Tincture (1:
10) 50 - 100 drops, one to three times
a
day.
Bibliography.
Benigni, R; Capra,
C
; Cattorini,
P
. Piante Medicinali. Chimica, Pharmacology and Therapy. Milano: Inverni & Della Beffa, 1962, pp. 270 - 1.
Bézanger - Beaunesque, L; Pinkas, M; Torck, M. Dans la Plantes Les Thérapeutiques Moderne. 2. Paris: Maloine, 1986,
p
. 123.
Bézanger - Beaunesque, L; Pinkas, M; Torck, M; Trotin,
F
. Medicinal plants of temperate Regions. Paris: Maloine, 1980,
p
. 72.
Bruneton, J. Elements of Phytochemistry and Pharmacognosy. Zaragoza: Acribia, 1991, pp. 42; 184.
Peris, JB; Stübing, G:
Vanaclocha, B. Applied
Fitoterapia
. Valencia: M. I. Official College of Pharmacists, 1995,
p
. 200.
Peris, JB; Stübing, G; Figuerola, R. Guide to Medicinal Plants of Valencia. Valencia: Las Provincias, 1996, 179.
Van Hellemont, J. Compendium of Phytothérapie. Bruxelles: Assotiation Pharmaceeutique Belge, 1986, pp. 89 - 90.
Villar, L; Palacín, JM; Calvo,
C
. Gomez,
D
; Montserrat, G. Medicinal Plants of the Aragonese Pyrenees and other tierrras Huesca. 2. Huesca: Provincial, 1992,
p
. 59.
Witchtl, M.
Herbal
Drugs and Phytopharmaceutical.
A
Handbook for Practice on
a
scientific basis. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers, 1994, pp. 132 - 3.
Related Products