What do you know about chestnuts?

Chestnuts are an inseparable part of autumn. Children collect them and make art out of them or bring them to ZOO to feed animals and wild boars. A great deed, indeed. Chestnuts are smooth, brown and very pretty. People even make autumn decorations out of them but few people know that they are also used in cosmetics and medicine. Some people even believe that they can protect them from misfortunes and carry chestnuts in pockets, handbags or put them under pillows.

Chestnut tree or horse chestnut?

What is the actual name of the tree that produces chestnuts? Many people know that it is the horse chestnut tree where most common chestnuts grow. The sweet chestnut tree (edible chestnuts, Castanea sativa) produces fruit suitable for consumption – these chestnuts you can buy in supermarkets or at Christmas markets.

Photo: Pixabay

Myths about chestnuts

The horse chestnut is a huge and majestic tree so, it should not be surprising that people have associated with a strong defender. Even today, some people carry a chestnut in their pocket as a protection from bad energy and from harmful radiation. We are not sure where the supernatural phenomena came from, but chestnuts will not protect you from electromagnetic radiation. That is for sure. Many people also believe that chestnuts promote a healthy sleep and put them under mattresses or pillows. This may have a positive psychological effect, but no scientific studies support this claim.

Superstitions

Chestnuts repel spiders, or at least people think so. Even some people in well-developed countries in Western Europe believe so! Well, it is not true. People who carry a chestnut believe that they extend their life and gain a life-giving energy. Some people place chestnuts on a table on November 1st believing that souls of the deceased will eat them. Well, chestnuts are just fruit and there is no evidence that they attract wealth and happiness or do anything supernatural.

Source:

https://fajnyogrod.pl/porady/fakty-i-mity-o-kasztanach-czy-rzeczywiscie-maja-wplyw-na-zdrowie/

https://www.healthifyme.com/blog/chestnuts-benefits/

Preview photo: Pixabay