Castanea mollissima is also known as the Chinese chestnut, is a member of the family Fagaceae, and a species of chestnut native to China, Taiwan, and Korea.^[rx] It is a deciduous tree growing to 20 m tall with a broad crown. The leaves are alternate, simple, 10–22 cm long and 4.5–8 cm broad, with a toothed margin. The flowers are produced in catkins 4–20 cm long, with the female flowers at the base of the catkin and males on the rest. The fruit is a densely spiny cupule 4–8 cm diameter, containing two or three glossy brown nuts; these are 2–3 cm diameter on wild trees. The scientific name mollissima derives from the softly downy shoots and young leaves.^[rx][rx]

Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) is a coarse-textured tree of the Fagaceae family native to China, Korea, and Taiwan. It got introduced in 1853 and 1903. Chinese chestnut, Chinese hairy chestnut, châtaignier de Chine, chinesische Kastanie, shinguard, Rōmaji castaño chino are common names of Chinese chestnut.

Chinese chestnut is a rounded and low-branched tree that could reach 40-60′ high. Its leaves are alternately arranged, simple, pinnate, ovate-lanceolate, dark green; 10-30 cm long, and 4-10 cm wide. The fragrant, showy flowers are pale yellow or cream in color and 4–20 cm long which appears in June. The shiny brown fruits are spiny cupule which is 4-8 cm in diameter. The fruit has a mild, subtle flavor and sweet taste. This plant prefers hot, dry climates and well-drained soils.

Health Benefits of Chinese chestnut

Chinese chestnuts assist in bodybuilding, prevent pyorrhea and eliminate teeth problems. The leaves are used as an aid for fever. Chestnut also provides relief from whooping cough and respiratory ailments. It also prevents the damage and swelling of capillaries and blood vessels.

1. Metabolism of Glucose

Manganese helps to regulate the metabolism of glucose in the body. Manganese helps to increase the efficiency of functions and energy. This leads to low chances of build-up as the glucose is utilized properly by the organs and muscles. An adequate amount of manganese helps to aid diabetes. (1)

2. Maintains sugar level

Manganese helps to control the sugar level in the human blood. It prevents the growth of diabetes. Manganese normalizes the secretion and synthesis of insulin and drops in blood sugar are also regulated. This provides a normal life to diabetic patients. (2)

3. PMS syndrome

Women are the sufferers of premenstrual syndrome. Manganese helps to prevent headaches, mood swings, irritability, and depression. The supplementation of manganese helps to prevent the PMS symptoms. One should consult the doctor before using the supplementation of manganese to treat PMS because it is related to hormones. (3)

4. Treats epilepsy

The deficiency of manganese provokes epileptic seizures. The supplements of manganese help to control the chances of major or minor epileptic seizures. The study shows that manganese acts as a vasodilator. (4)

5. Thyroid function

Manganese is essential for enzymes and is a vital component of thyroxine. The effective functions of the thyroid gland provide assist to treat health problems in the body such as appetite, weight loss, the efficiency of organs, and metabolism. (5)

6. Treat arthritis

Copper possesses anti-inflammatory properties which help to reduce arthritis symptoms. People store the copper in water overnight and drink it in the morning which helps to strengthen the muscular system. It helps to become active and provides energy as the metabolism would get an adequate amount of copper. (6)

7. Slows the aging process

Copper is an antioxidant that needs the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase to prevent the cells from the free radical damage. Free radicals damage the organs that could lead to age spots, wrinkles, macular degeneration, various cancer, and kidney ailments. The adequate intake of copper helps to provide young-looking skin. (7)

8. Enhance immunity

Copper plays a vital role in the healing process of wounds. It helps to build immunity and cures anemia that helps the body to defend itself and fastens the healing process. It is the cofactor in enzymatic processes that helps in endothelial growth or in the tissue healing process. (8)

9. Common cold

Vitamin C promotes the immune power of the body to fight against colds and coughs. It enhances iron absorption and strengthens the body against infection. It also encounters viruses. (9)

10. Skin health

The study shows that the high intake of Vitamin C helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, skin dryness and also slows down the aging process. Vitamin C is essential for the formation of tendons, skin, blood vessels, and ligaments. It also assists to heal wounds and forms scar tissue. The evidence shows that Vitamin C cream reduces skin redness. The adequate intake of food rich in antioxidants helps to prevent skin cancer. (10)

Traditional uses

• The burrs possess tannin and are considered stomachic and astringent.
• A decoction is used to cure diarrhea, dysentery, nose bleed, profound thirst, and regurgitation.
• Flowers are used to treating scrofula.
• The stem bark is useful for poisoned wounds.
• The sap of the stem helps to treat lacquer poisoning.

 Precautions

• The plant may irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction.
• The plant has sharp edges or spines so it should be handled with extreme caution.

How to Eat

• Chestnuts are consumed raw, deep-fried, or roasted.
• Chestnuts are dried into flour to make cakes, bread, muffins, soup thickener, and polenta.
• Chestnuts can be candied, steamed, boiled, grilled, or used in savory or sweet dishes.
• It could be tossed in soups or added to salads.
• The nuts are used to prepare chocolates, pastries, ice cream, etc.
• Chinese use chestnuts as snacks.
• They are used in desserts.
• Chinese chestnuts are added to the lamb and mutton dishes.
• Chestnuts are used on puddings.
• In Japan, it is consumed as steamed chestnut rice.
• In Korea, a sweet dessert named yak silk is prepared with jujube fruits, chestnuts, pine nuts which are mixed with glutinous.
• The nuts are used as a vital ingredient in poultry stuffing.
• Chinese chestnuts are used to make chestnut buttercream.

References

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