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Sweet Chestnut

Castanea sativa

Sweet chestnut is not difficult to recognize. Sweet chestnut grows about 30 m or more in height, not the tallest of trees but with great stature. The furrowed bark is characteristic, the long, pointed leaves (15-25cm) are dark green, shiny with coarsely toothed edges. The trees are known for the edible nuts produced in autumn inside a prickly case. These come from the female flowers that are not conspicuous compared with the showy plumes of the male catkins. The males are 20-25 cm long with groups of fifty or more delicate stamens, creamy-gold. The green female flowers are either at the bottom of the male stalk or separate in the axil of the flowering shoot. They are formed into a cup by four bracts with a divided seed chamber and tufted style.

Flowering Period

Sweet chestnut flowers usually after midsummer, in July.

Preparation

Sweet chestnut is prepared by the boiling method. Pick the flowering heads when they are well in bloom, the male flowers being creamy yellow .Both male and female flowers are used along with any leaves. Gather from as many different trees as possible although only a few of these flowering heads will fit into the saucepan.

Uses

Utter despair.

This is the remedy for those who have reached the end of endurance. They have suffered much, and have tried every avenue open to them, but now feel they are at breaking point and cannot see any way out of their suffering. Everything ahead is bleak and empty. Dr Bach described the Sweet Chestnut state of mind as 'the dark night of the soul' - the sufferer feels he has nothing but annihilation left to face.

This state of mind may not be immediately obvious in animals, but it is a remedy which should be considered for those who have suffered great distress and appear greatly depressed and anguished because of this. This may happen as a result of grief - for example, the dog pining for a dead master would be a suitable case for Sweet Chestnut.

More about Sweet Chestnut

The 38 Bach Flower Remedies

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