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Water chestnut

Useful properties and application recipes water chestnut


Botanical description water chestnut

Water chestnut belongs to the family rogalnikova. It is also known as "Trapa", "Chillum", "devil nut". This herbaceous plant may be annual and perennial. It lives in the water. For the development of water chestnut is best suited insipid, stagnant, warm water. It can be lakes and oxbow lakes. There are whole thickets of this plant. Water chestnut grows in Europe and Africa. In Russia and in Ukraine this plant is found in the lower reaches of the rivers Volga, don, Dnieper, bug river, in the far East, in Siberia and in the Caucasus.

The plant is a stem that floats in water. Its roots are attached to the bottom like anchors. It is mounted in period walnut or with filiform brownish root. In the case of the rise of the water level – for example, during flood – a plant that floats on the water surface comes off. However, it does not die, and continues to float freely on the water surface. Once its roots reach the ground in shallow water, they take root.

The external features of the plant are as follows: on the stem first grow very thin as strings, leaves, which, however, quickly fall off. Further, on the surface of the water from the water chestnut formed one or more outlets in the form of serrated leaves. They are arranged randomly, as they have different length stalks. It is in these stalks are hollow, in which there is air. Thanks to this socket does not sink, but remains on the surface of the water.

Flowers water chestnut single and usually white or transparent petals. The flowering time of the plant is in may or June. The fruit has a dark-brown color, one cotanchobee seed. On the surface of the fruit grow outgrowths, resembling the curled horns. Ripe fruit, falling into the mud, do not lose their properties for ten years. Remain viable for fruit.

At home water chestnut is stored bad. But if necessary, then store it unpeeled in a cool place, as the cleaned nuts lose their taste after 2-3 days. It is best to eat the nuts directly after removal of the shell, then you can appreciate the taste of the fruit: it is juicy and delicious.


Application of water chestnut

In ancient times water chestnut is valued for its taste and ate. Of it even made the meal, replacing bread. For the production of flour, the fruit is ground using hand mills. Water chestnut can be eaten raw or cookingentirely, you can even preserve, add it to salads, baking on the fire. In the kernel of water chestnut contains about 50 % starch.

Currently, the water chestnut is grown in China, Japan, and India. Especially plant is popular in India. It was there from the flour of water chestnut bake cakes, cook soup. Indians especially love it with spices. The bread from it is very similar to wheat. Still, this plant has found its application in the treatment of various diseases.

Chemical composition of water chestnut

Due to the fact that this plant contain carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, triterpenoids, tannins, vitamins, nitrogenous compounds and mineral salts, it is used for medicinal purposes. In the fruit of water chestnut discovered starch, fatty oil, carbohydrates, various vitamins and microelements, so treatment water nuts are used still more often than other nuts.

It should also be noted that the Japanese, Tibetan and Chinese traditional medicine often uses water chestnut to treat people of various ailments.


The indication for the use of water chestnut

Water chestnut fresh is used to treat kidney disease, dyspepsia and impotence. It is also a great diuretic and a General tonic that helps restore the body after illness.

Water chestnut is used as tonic, astringent, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, fixative, sedative and cholagogue.

The juice of this plant is effectively used in the treatment of gonorrhea, with leucorrhoea, to get rid of tumors of different origin. Use it as an antiseptic, as well as after the bites of snakes or insects. In diseases of the eye using fresh juice.

Water chestnut has strong antiviral properties. He also has a beneficial effect on the body after stress.


Prescriptions drugs from water chestnut

The infusion of water chestnut. For its preparation take 20 grams of flowers and leaves. They pour 200 ml of hot boiled water, then in a water bath and leave to steep for fifteen minutes. After the infusion should be left to cool for 45 minutes, then drain. The resulting tool is usedinside three times a day for 1/3 Cup before eating. If infusion used topically, its concentration should increase about 2-3 times.

The juice of water chestnut. Usually the juice of water chestnut is used to treat eye diseases. To do this, from the whole plant should squeeze the juice and dilute it with cold boiled water in the ratio 1:10. To drink juice of water chestnut need inside of 30-40 drops per reception 3-4 times a day before meal. If juice is used for topical treatment of other diseases, it is necessary to dilute it in the ratio 1:3.