Sweet Chestnuts (Marroni)

Nuclei Castaneae vescae crud.

Historical tradition – not medical advice, and no health or healing claims. more

Historical botanical drawing: Sweet — Sweet

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

Valued in many ways in Hildegard's cuisine and traditionally associated, as a strengthening food, with the nerves and general well-being.

Ingredients

Sweet chestnuts (marroni).

Preparation

For a sauna infusion, boil a handful of leaves and chestnuts, shells and bark included, in 1 litre of water; strain it and preserve the filtrate with 50 ml of 68 % food-grade alcohol. Pour it over hot sauna stones two to three times a week.

Note

Sweet chestnuts are naturally gluten-free.

Botanical background

Sweet chestnuts are rich in carbohydrates and starch and contain protein, tannins and vitamins A, B and C. They also contain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is credited with calming and relaxing properties. Traditional herbal lore mentions sweet chestnuts and spelt in connection with support for the nervous system.

Sources & references

Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Naturapotheke. Heilmittel und Rezepte von A bis Z. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 83.
Strehlow, Wighard: Der Hildegard-Kompass. Die wichtigsten Heilmittel und Anwendungen. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 38.
Hildegard von Bingen: Heilsame Schöpfung. Die natürliche Wirkkraft der Dinge (Physica). Hrsg. von der Abtei St. Hildegard, Eibingen. Beuroner Kunstverlag 2012 (4. Auflage 2024). Cap. 3-12 (Kastanienbaum).
Breindl, Ellen: Das große Gesundheitsbuch der Hl. Hildegard von Bingen. Bassermann Verlag 2004. S. 188.

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More preparations using Sweet

Sweet chestnut Sweet Chestnut Flour in Honey

Historical tradition. The above describes how this preparation was recorded and used in the tradition of Hildegard of Bingen. This is cultural-historical information, not medical advice and not a health or healing claim, and it is no substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. If you have health complaints, please consult your doctor or pharmacy.

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