AKA: Horsechestnut
Planting: Rich moist soil in sun, fully hardy perennial tree, 30’
Propagation Zone 6/7:
Medicinal/Culinary: Also known as the “Ohio Buckeye” the horse chestnut is mentioned by Rumi, thought by many people in the eastern and southern United States to be a sure preventive of rheumatism, arthritis, or headache. Used for swelling and pain due to varicose veins and chronic circulation problems. It has also been used for reducing the swelling of hemorrhoids or veins (phlebitis). Indians would leach out the high tannins, and then eat it as a good source of protein. The Indians would do this by slow-roasting the nuts (which would have rendered the saponins harmless) and then cutting them into thin slices, putting them into a cloth bag and rinsing them in a stream for 2 - 5 days. In China, seeds are dried, powdered, and eaten as a gruel. Saponins in the seed are used as a soap substitute. The saponins can be easily obtained by chopping the seed into small pieces and infusing them in hot water. This water can then be used for washing the body, clothes etc. Its main drawback is a lingering odor of horse chestnuts.
Third Eye Vision:
Seeded: Transplant Fall 2008 in A2
Links: Wiki
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