Practical
Plants

Aesculus hippocastanum

Horse Chestnut

a deciduous tree of the Aesculus genus in the family Hippocastanaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
30 m
Spread
15 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

The seed is rich in saponins[2][13][28]. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Edible uses

The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute[10][29]. Seed - cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a gruel[29][24][26][27]. The seed is quite large, about 3cm in diameter, and is easily harvested. It is usually produced in abundance in Britain. Unfortunately the seed is also rich in saponins, these must be removed before it can be used as a food and this process also removes many of the minerals and vitamins, leaving behind mainly starch. See also the notes above on toxicity. The seed contains up to 40% water, 8 - 11% protein and 8 - 26% toxic saponins[15]. The following notes apply to A. californica, but are probably also relevant here:- The seed needs to be leached of toxins before it becomes safe to eat - 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[14].

Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Coffee
Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Cooked, Flour

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Horse chestnut is an astringent, anti-inflammatory herb that helps to tone the vein walls which, when slack or distended, may become varicose, haemorrhoidal or otherwise problematic[21]. The plant also reduces fluid retention by increasing the permeability of the capillaries and allowing the re-absorption of excess fluid back into the circulatory system[21]. This plant is potentially toxic if ingested and should not be used internally without professional supervision[21]. Alterative, analgesic, haemostatic and vulnerary[7][15]. The bark is anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, febrifuge, narcotic, tonic and vasoconstrictive[23][29][16]. It is harvested in the spring and dried for later use[23]. The plant is taken in small doses internally for the treatment of a wide range of venous diseases, including hardening of the arteries, varicose veins, phlebitis, leg ulcers, haemorrhoids and frostbite[18][21]. It is also made into a lotion or gel for external application[21]. A tea made from the bark is used in the treatment of malaria and dysentery, externally in the treatment of lupus and skin ulcers[23][16]. A tea made from the leaves is tonic and is used in the treatment of fevers and whooping cough[16][19][21]. The pericarp is peripherally vasoconstrictive[29]. The seeds are decongestant, expectorant and tonic[29][13]. They have been used in the treatment of rheumatism, neuralgia and haemorrhoids[23]. They are said to be narcotic and that 10 grains of the nut are equal to 3 grains of opium[14]. An oil extracted from the seeds has been used externally as a treatment for rheumatism[21]. A compound of the powdered roots is analgesic and has been used to treat chest pains[22]. The buds are used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Failure to learn by experience', 'Lack of observation in the lessons of life' and hence 'The need of repetition'[12]. The flowers are used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Persistent unwanted thoughts' and 'Mental arguments and conversations'[12].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Bach
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Narcotic
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vasoconstrictor
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

Saponins in the seed are used as a soap substitute[8]. 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 odour of horse chestnuts[K]. The seed contains variable amounts of saponins, up to a maximum of 10%[19]. A starch obtained from the seed is used in laundering[3]. The bark and other parts of the plant contain tannin, but the quantities are not given[17]. A yellow dye is obtained from the bark[23]. The flowers contain the dyestuff quercetin[17]. Wood - soft, light, not durable. Of little commercial value, it is used for furniture, boxes, charcoal[10][4][24][27].

Plant part
Bark
Product or use
Dye
Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Soap
Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Starch
Plant part
Bark, Seed
Product or use
Tannin
Plant part
Wood
Product or use
Charcoal, Fine carpentry

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
Europe - N. Greece and Albania. Naturalized in Britain[9].
Habitat
Mountain woods[25].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown outdoors or in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[4][30]. The seed germinates almost immediately and must be given protection from severe weather[6]. The seed has a very limited viability and must not be allowed to dry out. Stored seed should be soaked for 24 hours prior to sowing and even after this may still not be viable[30][5]. It is best to sow the seed with its 'scar' downwards[6]. If sowing the seed in a cold frame, pot up the seedlings in early spring and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a deep loamy well-drained soil but is not too fussy tolerating poorer drier soils[4][11]. Tolerates exposed positions and atmospheric pollution[11]. A very ornamental and fast-growing tree[1][23], it succeeds in most areas of Britain but grows best in eastern and south-eastern England[11]. Trees are very hardy when dormant, but the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. The flowers have a delicate honey-like perfume[20]. Trees are tolerant of drastic cutting back and can be severely lopped[11]. They are prone to suddenly losing old heavy branches[31]. The tree comes into bearing within 20 years from seed[31]. Most members of this genus transplant easily, even when fairly large[4].

Crops

Seeds

The seed of A. hippocastanumis quite large, about 3cm in diameter, and is easily harvested from smaller trees.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-7011-2526-8

    ↩

  3. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩

  4. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  6. ? The Plantsman. Vol. 4. 1982 - 1983. Royal Horticultural Society 1982-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  7. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  8. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩

  9. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  10. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  12. Chancellor. P. M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies C. W. Daniel Co. Ltd. 1985-00-00 ISBN 85207 002 0

    ↩1↩2

  13. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  14. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2

  15. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  16. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  17. Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. 1946-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  18. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  19. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  20. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  21. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  22. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

  23. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  24. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  25. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

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  26. Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00

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  27. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  28. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  29. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  30. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩1↩2

  31. Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.

    ↩1↩2

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