Witchy Wednesdays - Chestnut
Witchy Wednesdays - Chestnut Chestnuts are a group of eight or nine species of deciduous trees and shrubs in the beech family, mainly native to the northern hemisphere, more specifically it refers to the nut like fruit they produce. The trees themselves grow anywhere between 10 and 60 feet in height with a thick and deeply cut bark often darker brown in colour. The nuts are inside a spiky casing called a Burr and are often brown in colour. Chestnut trees are very slow growing. They take 15 years to bear fruit and it can be 50 years before they bear significant fruit. Native Americans may have used a tisane of chestnut leaves to treat severe coughs and heart disease, a poultice of the leaves for sores and a decoction of the bark to treat worms. Chestnuts can be dried and milled into flour, which can then be used to prepare breads, cakes, pies, pancakes, pastas, polenta. Chestnut timber is decorative. Light brown in colour, it is sometimes confused with oak wood. he leaves and the skins (husk and pellicle) of the fruits provide a hair shampoo.Chestnuts have been grown by humans since about 2000 BCE and were carried by the armies of Alexander the Great as well as the later Roman armies. These armies planted chestnuts in their wake helping the European variety spread from its native Asia Minor to all over Europe. Magickally use Chestnut wood wands for healing spells and rituals. Wear Chestnut wood talismans during classes or situations that call for higher learning. Chestnut wood clarifies the mind and is an aide in learning. Chestnuts can be eaten to encourage fertility and desire and may be carried as a charm by women who wish to conceive. Keeping chestnuts around the house (and eating them) encourages abundance. Finally Place a Chestnut piece of wood or carving under a troubled couples bed to ease disputes and relationship problems.
