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Some people love it and others would rather hide away under a woollen blanket until it’s all over again. That’s right, it’s back. Autumn. Because of the endlessly long summer that has carried on so pleasantly, it hardly seems like it, but the crisp season really has got under way. Everything suddenly comes tumbling down: coloured leaves, temperatures, rain and… hundreds of kilos of chestnuts!
And the fact that those mounds of dark reddish-brown little balls are there for the taking is exceptionally good news! Chestnuts have countless healing properties with which you can effectively treat many physical ailments.
Chestnuts are used, among other things, to make compresses, teas, creams and lotions.
Before I give you all the wonderful news, you should know that there are several types of chestnut. In this blog we are specifically talking about the horse chestnut. This chestnut is not edible, but thanks to its unique properties it has an enormous number of skin benefits and helps, for example, against varicose veins.
Almost perfectly round (not teardrop-shaped)
Short spines on the casing
Often one chestnut per casing
Although the leaves and the bark also contain many useful characteristics, the most valuable properties are obtained from the seed of horse chestnuts. The seed contains, among other things, antioxidant properties and aescin. Aescin is a substance that strengthens the vein walls, which helps the circulation in your body to flow better. These important properties therefore intensely stimulate the health of your veins, which helps to soothe various skin complaints.
What’s more, horse chestnuts are packed with Vitamin C and B-complex vitamins, which keep your nervous system healthy and produce anti-stress hormones. And those hormones are rather good for your body! They help to reduce complaints such as fatigue, insomnia and headaches.
Horse chestnuts are, by the way, also gluten-free!
Who would ever have thought that a perfectly ordinary horse chestnut has so many unique properties? People like you and me can put those powerful properties to good use to relieve various ailments. Below I have listed the most important ones for you.
Cellulite
Horse chestnuts are known for improving the circulation in your body. Poor circulation means that some parts of the skin do not receive the right nutrients. Over time, this can cause the tissue to break down, which can lead to cellulite.
Varicose veins
The health of your veins also improves if you use horse chestnuts regularly. With healthier veins you are less likely to develop varicose veins. Sounds logical, doesn’t it? Varicose veins arise because valves in the veins do not close properly. As a result, the pressure in your veins can become so great that the vein begins to dilate.
Premature facial ageing
Yes, you read that correctly. They also work wonderfully against signs of facial ageing. A gel made from horse chestnut was tested on 40 women (3 times a day, 9 weeks). The wrinkles around their eyes were visibly reduced! The positive properties of horse chestnuts ensure that the skin receives more nutrients that support the tissue well and keep it young.
Various conditions that result in dry or flaky skin
When the skin is strong and well nourished, it helps not only with premature facial ageing, but also very effectively with other conditions in which you get dry or flaky skin. The nutrients your skin takes in help your skin to be strong.
Soothes tired and heavy legs
Horse chestnuts are also ideal to use for tired and heavy legs. Because the fruit has a positive influence on your veins, it stimulates the circulation, which means your legs can soon feel a little fitter.
After a hard day, lovely to unwind in a warm bath. Who doesn’t love that? Especially when it starts to get a bit colder outside, it’s the ideal way to relax.
That’s why I’ve devised a simple recipe just for you that you add to your bath. This recipe boosts your blood circulation, which can help with the complaints mentioned above.
No bath at home? As a footbath it’s just as effective!
Head into the woods or the park and collect 1 kg of horse chestnuts.
Chop the horse chestnuts into small pieces. For a footbath, 200g is more than enough.
Add the chestnuts to a pan of water and bring it briefly to the boil.
Take the pan off the heat and put a lid on it.
Leave it to infuse for 30 minutes.
Fill the (foot)bath with warm water and add the entire contents of the pan.
Bear in mind that the contents of the pan have probably cooled down, so make sure the water in the bath is warm enough!
To finish it off completely, light a few (scented) candles or your aroma diffuser and put on some chilled music that helps you relax. And voilà. Your autumnal bath is ready to use.
You know what you’ve got to do! Drag everyone outside and collect those horse chestnuts! Who will you take along?
Author: Aurelie Deloo
