European beech/Fagus sylvatica, commonly known as European beech, beech, European beech, common beech, oriental beech, copper beech is a deciduous tree belonging to the beech family Fagaceae. The plant is native to Asia, Europe, Canada and North America. European colonists brought this tree to America in the mid-1700s and it has been a popular ornamental shade tree since that time. European beech is primarily distinguished from the similar American beech (see Fagus grandifolia) by (a) smaller size, (b) darker gray bark, and (c) shorter leaves that have wavy mostly untoothed margins. The word Fagus is from a Greek word meaning ‘to eat,’ referring to the edible character of the Beech mast.

Beech Nuts is a genus of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia, and North America. Recent classifications recognize 10 to 13 species in two distinct subgenera, Engleriana and Fagus. The Engleriana subgenus is found only in East Asia, distinctive for its low branches, often made up of several major trunks with yellowish bark. The better known Fagus subgenus beeches are high-branching with tall, stout trunks and smooth silver-grey bark. The European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is the most commonly cultivated.

Plant Description

Beech-Nut is a deciduous tree that grows about 25–35 m (82–115 ft.) tall and 1.5 m in diameter near the base of the trunk. The plant grows in deep, rich, moist, chalk, limestone, and other well-drained and fertile types of soil and is rarely seen in urban areas because it cannot grow in the atmosphere rich in carbon monoxide. Roots are shallow, even superficial, with large roots spreading out in all directions. Trunks have distinctive bark that is smooth, light gray, or greenish in color. It is thin and easily scarred. Multiple slender branches form broad, dome-shaped crowns. Twigs are thin gray in color, and smooth.

Leaves

Leaves are alternate, simple, and entire or with a slightly crenate margin, 5–10 cm long and 3–7 cm broad, with 6-7 veins on each side of the leaf (7-10 veins in Fagus Orientalis). When crenate, there is one point at each vein tip, never any points between the veins. Newly formed leaves are bright green and covered with hairs. Older leaves lack hairs; they are dark green in color. Foliage turns golden bronze in fall. The buds are long and slender, 15–30 mm (0.59–1.18 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) thick, but thicker (to 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in)) where the buds include flower buds.

Flower & Fruit

The plant develops individual male and female flowers on the same plant (monoecious plant). Male flowers are yellowish with red borders. They are arranged in the catkins that hang from the branches. Female flowers are yellow and arranged in pairs. Flowers are pollinated by the wind. Flowering normally takes place from Apr to May. Female flowers produce small triangular nuts 15–20 millimeters (0.59–0.79 in) long and 7–10 mm (0.28–0.39 in) wide, borne singly or in pairs in soft-spines husks 1.5– 2.5 cm long cupules containing one to seven nuts. It appears in pairs, located in the spiny husk divided in a few lobes. Beechnuts ripen in the fall and are edible. Many cultivars are available in commerce in a variety of different forms, leaf shapes, and leaf colors. Beechnut contains a high level of tannic acid which creates the bitter taste of the fruit.

Health Benefits of Beechnuts

The unique chemical composition of beechnuts has been said to be stimulating for hair growth and strengthening of the hair follicle beds, Infant Health, Improved Digestion, Relief from Headaches, Antioxidant Potential, and Kidney Disorders. Let’s take a closer look at some of those impressively diverse health benefits of beechnuts

1. Relief from Headaches

Leaves can also be boiled to create a poultice or a salve with proven pain?-relieving medicine. সহজ বাংলা: ব্যথানাশক ওষুধ।" data-rx-term="analgesic" data-rx-definition="An analgesic is a pain-relieving medicine. সহজ বাংলা: ব্যথানাশক ওষুধ।">analgesic? properties. Beech tree poultices were relied on to treat headaches and other mild pain-related issues, and are still included in certain herbal analgesics on the market today. This works for both topical application and oral consumption. (1)

2. Antioxidant Potential

The bark of beech trees is rich in lignans and other antioxidant substances that can be a major boost to your immune system. Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals that cause chronic? disease and cell mutation, including cancer. By drying the bark and treating it properly, it becomes a viable source of hugely beneficial antioxidant compounds! (2)

3. Improved Digestion

Although eating the leaves of trees is not a particularly common practice, beech tree leaves and shoots have been eaten for hundreds (if not thousands) of years, particularly in times of famine. High cellulose and fiber content is good for regulating digestion and offers a viable “foraging food” if that becomes necessary on hikes, camping trips, etc. (3)

4. Infant Health

Significant levels of vitamin B6 found in beechnuts make it a wonderful addition for pregnant mothers who want to ensure the health of their babies. Vitamin B6, also known as folate or folic acid, is an essential vitamin to prevent neural tube defects in infants, so adding some beechnuts to your diet is never a bad idea. However, only in moderation, as beechnuts do have certain toxins that should not be consumed in large quantities. (4)

5. Antiseptic Properties

Branches can be distilled down (dry distillation) to produce a type of tar or creosote, which can be topically applied to wounds in order to protect them from infections and microbes. This sticky substance can also be applied to the skin to improve its appearance, reduce the signs of scarring and aging, and soothe infection?, or irritation, often causing pain?, swelling?, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation?. Furthermore, research has shown it to be a good treatment for eczema, psoriasis, boils, frostbite, and burns. (5)

6. Hair Care

The unique chemical composition of beechnuts has been said to be stimulating for hair growth and strengthening of the hair follicle beds. If you suffer from hair loss or brittle hair, the oil extracted from these nuts can be added to carrier oil and used on the hair to boost its appearance and strength.

7. Kidney Disorders

Although the seeds themselves are considered toxic in large quantities, a decoction can be made that is shown to considerably boost kidney function and stimulate urination. As a diuretic, beech is able to help clear out the toxins of the body, including excess fats, salt, waste, and water, improving the overall efficiency of your metabolism.

Other Traditional uses and benefits of Beechnuts

• The bark is antacid, antipyretic, antiseptic, antitussive, expectorant, odontalgic.
• Atar, obtained by dry distillation of the branches, is stimulating and antiseptic.
• It is used internally as a stimulating expectorant and externally as an application to various skin diseases.
• Pure creosote has been used to give relief from a toothache, but it should not be used without expert guidance.
• It stimulates hair growth and Improvises the quality of the embryo.
• Stuffed cellulose and fiber balance digestion and reduce the constipation? problem.
• Beech leaves were used to relieve swellings, and boiling the leaves could make a poultice.
• Forked beech twigs are also traditionally used for divining.
• Various parts of the plant have been used to treat a large number of complaints from skin infections to worms.

Culinary Uses

• Leaves have a very nice mild flavor, they go well in a mixed salad.
• Seed can be dried and ground into a powder and then used with cereal flours when making bread, cakes, etc.
• Seed oil is used as a dressing for salads and also for cooking.
• The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute.
• The bark contains different aromatic substances which can be used to improve the taste of beer.
• Leaves are used in the manufacture of gin. They add color and sweetness to the final product.
• Beech is also used to smoke Westphalian ham, and various sausages and cheeses.

Other Uses

• A semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed; it is used as a fuel for lighting, as a lubricant, for polishing wood etc.
• Leaf buds harvested in the winter and dried on the twigs are used as toothpicks.
• Leaves are gathered in autumn and used as a stuffing material for mattresses etc.
• Wood is hard, heavy, strong, and very durable.
• It is not suitable for outdoor use and is often attacked by a small beetle.
• Wood has a wide range of applications, including furniture, flooring, turnery, etc.
• It makes a very good fuel burning with a lot of heat, and yields charcoal known as ‘Carbo Ligni Pulveratus’.
• Wood has often been used as a source of creosote, tar, methyl alcohol, acetic acid.
• The wood of the European beech is used in the manufacture of numerous objects and implements.
• Nuts are an important food for birds, rodents, and in the past also humans.
• It starts to produce the nuts at the 40th year from planted and huge amount of nuts at the 60th year.
• It is mainly used as baby food during the lactation period to ensure the fetus’s health.
• Beechnut was used as food for cattle in the past.
• Many forest mammals and birds consume beechnuts as a regular part of their diet.
• Wood is used in the production of furniture, floorings, musical instruments (such as drums) and plywood, and in household items like plates, but rarely as a decorative wood.
• Beechwood was used as fuel in the industry of glass and iron in the past.
• Leaves and bark contain pigments that are used for the dyeing of fabrics.
• Certain countries use beech leaves instead of feathers as a stuffing for the pillows.
• In 19th Century England, beech oil was used for cooking and fuel for lamps.
• It is believed that beech wood in the house will prolong labor and childbirth as well as complicate a spirit’s passing at death.
• Leaves and bark are used to make dyes

Precautions

• Large quantities of the seed may be toxic.
• Seed should not be eaten in large quantities because it contains a deleterious principle.
• Avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

References