Water chestnut or chilim is an unusual plant that has distinct beneficial characteristics. It is found in various regions of Russia. At the same time, the healing properties of the plant were noticed by people in ancient times. This is due to the high content of useful components. At the same time, drinking water chestnut has a number of contraindications.
Description of the plant
The water chestnut is an annual crop that grows in bodies of water. In appearance, its fruits look like small nuts that do not exceed 2 centimeters in length. On the surface of the culture there are processes resembling horns. Other names for the plant are associated with this - “bagel nut” or “devil’s nut”. The crop is also often called chilim or water chestnut.
Each nut contains a white seed, which has a pleasant taste. It is noteworthy that its germination can last up to 50 years. However, ideally, nuts should be planted for 10-15 years.
The water chestnut is characterized by a long and thin stem, which is creeping in the area of the root system. The root is also thin and branched. The plant has green leaves with large teeth.
Water chestnut flowering begins in June and continues until mid-July. During this period, small inflorescences of milky shades appear on the bushes. They bloom for a maximum of 2 hours. In autumn, instead of inflorescences, fruits are formed on the bushes - 6-12 pieces each. In late autumn, the plant dies and the fruits sink to the bottom. With the arrival of spring they begin to grow.
Growth area
This culture is found in shallow freshwater bodies of standing water. Chilim can be seen in the south and Far East. Previously, the fruits of the plant were sold at markets and fairs. Today, the water chestnut is included in the Red Book, which is why it is much less common.
In ancient times, chilim was widespread in Rus' and was used for a variety of tasks. This situation persisted until the first half of the twentieth century. However, subsequently his plantations began to rapidly decline. Scientists attribute this to the release of chemical waste into the water.
Properties useful for people
Chilim is actively used in Asian folk medicine. Tibetan monks and Chinese doctors use water chestnut to treat a variety of pathologies. It is characterized by the following beneficial properties:
- diuretic – chilim can be used to combat pathologies of the kidneys and genitourinary system;
- antiviral and antimicrobial - chilim successfully eliminates herpes, sore throat, gonorrhea;
- antitumor - the plant eliminates formations of various etiologies;
- fixative - fresh nut fruits or juice are recommended for diarrhea;
- choleretic – rogulnik stimulates the functions of the gallbladder and liver;
- tonic – increases vitality and improves performance;
- antispasmodic – eliminates pain and spasms;
- astringent – stimulates wound healing;
- sedative – has a calming effect and eliminates stress;
- restorative – promotes recovery after complex illnesses.
Growing instructions
In natural conditions, chilim is quite rare. However, it can be grown at home. This requires a small body of water that does not freeze. It is recommended to place nuts in soil or containers and then lower them to the bottom.
The culture is propagated by seed. First, the root system and underwater fragments appear, after which leaves begin to grow above the water. Chilim can withstand transplantation without any problems. Therefore, it can always be moved to a deeper body of water.
For successful cultivation of crops, it is recommended to adhere to the following recommendations:
- Ensure the water temperature in the reservoir is +25 degrees and above.
- A small pond is not suitable for growing chilim. Its foliage can reach 4 meters.
- The pond should be illuminated by sunlight.
- First you need to clean the bottom of the reservoir and place sand or silt there. It is important that there are no foreign impurities in the soil. It is also worth making sure that there are no large shellfish in the water. They will lead to the destruction of Chilim.
Collection recommendations
To obtain the medicinal composition, the bagel must be collected correctly. To do this, during flowering it is recommended to collect leaves and inflorescences directly. Then they should be used to prepare tinctures and juice. For subsequent use, the grass should be laid out in a thin layer and dried.
It is recommended to collect the fruits exclusively in the autumn - during the period of dying off of the crop. They need to be placed in canvas bags and kept in a cool place. It is important to consider that shelled nuts quickly lose their taste and benefits.
Application of chilim
Water chestnut can be used in cooking and a variety of medicinal compositions can be prepared from it. At the same time, not only the fruits, but also the roots, stems, and leaves bring benefits. At the same time, the fruits are still considered the most valuable. They can be fried, baked or boiled. Nuts can also be eaten raw. They are often used to make sweets, cereals, and flour.
Indications for use
Most often, chilim is used for medicinal purposes. It must be consumed raw for the following pathologies:
- dysentery;
- pathologies of the digestive system;
- poisoning;
- atherosclerosis.
The use of water chestnut varies from country to country. In India and China, chilim is used as a diaphoretic. In Japan, the product is used to eliminate kidney failure and increase potency.
The juice of the plant's leaves is also considered very useful. It helps eliminate certain eye pathologies, cure a sore throat or improve the condition of mosquito bites.
Contraindications
In rare cases, individual intolerance to the product may occur. The nut contains selenium, which has immune-stimulating properties. However, an excess of the mineral provokes disruption of the functioning of internal organs, cirrhosis and other diseases.
Excessive amounts of chilim lead to the following problems:
- nausea;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- vomit.
However, it is prohibited to consume water chestnut in the following cases:
- allergy;
- individual intolerance;
- pregnancy;
- lactation;
- exacerbation of gastritis and peptic ulcer;
- chronic constipation.
If chronic pathologies or relapses of diseases are detected, you should consult a doctor before consuming chilim.
Medicine prescriptions
To cope with various ailments, you can use the following recipes:
- Chilim infusion. To do this, you need to take 20 grams of foliage and inflorescences and pour 200 milliliters of hot water. Leave the composition to infuse for a quarter of an hour in a water bath. Then cool for half an hour and strain. Take a third of a glass 3 times a day. This is recommended to be done before meals. For external use, the concentration should be increased 2-3 times.
- Water chestnut juice. This composition is mainly used to combat pathologies of the visual organs. To do this, you need to squeeze the juice out of the culture and mix it with cool water in a ratio of 1:10. Take 30-40 drops of the substance 3-4 times a day. This must be done before meals. For external use of the composition, it is mixed with water in a ratio of 1:3.
- Vodka tincture for cleansing blood vessels. To prepare it, it is recommended to take 10 nuts and mix them with a glass of vodka. Then leave to infuse for 10 days and take three times a day.Single dose – 1 tablespoon. In this case, the course of treatment lasts 10 days. Then you need to interrupt for 10 days and repeat the therapy.
- Fresh juice for sexually transmitted pathologies. In this case, it is recommended to take 1 tablespoon of the substance. This composition successfully copes with gonorrhea.
- Chill for diarrhea. In this case, it is recommended to take a few nuts, pour boiling water over them and eat them after they have cooled. After 1 hour, the procedure should be repeated. You can also drink freshly squeezed juice to eliminate diarrhea.
- Water chestnut juice against herpes infection. To cope with the problem, it is recommended to use fresh juice. They should treat blisters on the lips. You can also apply a cut nut to the affected area.
- Chilim against toothache. You need to pour boiling water over it, cut out a 3-millimeter plate and place it between the sore tooth and cheek. After a quarter of an hour, you will be able to get rid of the pain in your teeth. Flux can be eliminated in a similar way.
- The juice of the plant relieves itching after bee and mosquito bites. It is useful to treat the affected areas with fresh juice or use softened water chestnut leaves.
- Juice for tonsillitis. This composition helps to cope even with purulent and follicular forms of the disease. In this case, it is recommended to mix fresh chilim juice with water in a ratio of 1:10. After which it must be used for gargling. Affected gums can be treated in a similar way.
Use for cosmetic purposes
Chilim is characterized by pronounced tonic characteristics. That’s why it is added to many cosmetic products. Water chestnut is great for treating acne.It can also be used to care for oily and combination skin.
Dish recipes
Water chestnut is often used in cooking. This product has excellent taste, and therefore you can prepare a variety of dishes from it.
Stew
To prepare this tasty and healthy dish, it is recommended to take the following ingredients:
- 250 grams of peeled chilim fruits;
- 250 grams of apples;
- sugar;
- butter.
To begin with, it is recommended to peel and chop the fruits. Place the nut kernels in a saucepan and simmer until tender. Then add the remaining ingredients and cook until the apples soften.
Nut in bacon
To prepare this dish, it is recommended to prepare the following ingredients:
- 250 grams of nuts – it’s best to take canned ones;
- 1.5 kilograms of dry-cured bacon.
First you need to cut the bacon into slices and wrap a nut in each of them. It is recommended to secure the structure with toothpicks. Kernels that are too large must be cut first.
After this you can prepare the sauce. It will require the following components:
- 1 glass of tomato paste – this component can be replaced with ketchup;
- 1 cup cane sugar;
- 1 small spoon of Worcestershire sauce.
All components must be placed on the stove and wait until they boil. After that, you need to remove the sauce from the stove and pour it over the nuts wrapped in bacon. Place the container in the oven for 1 hour. In this case, it should be heated to +180 degrees.Readiness should be checked periodically. The cooking time is determined by the oven power settings.
Puree
This is a very unusual dish that any gourmet will undoubtedly enjoy. To do this you will need to prepare the following:
- 200 grams of nuts;
- 150 milliliters of milk.
Nuts need to be peeled and cut into small pieces. Then they need to be put in a saucepan and filled with milk. Cook for half an hour covered. After cooking, you need to remove the nuts, rub them through a sieve or puree them using an immersion blender. After this, you can add milk and butter to the puree. You can also add sugar if you wish.
Water chestnut talisman
Chilim has been endowed with magical properties since ancient times. That is why people actively use it to make talismans. People in Altai pay special attention to chilim.
The local population believed that it could protect the home from evil and bring good luck. Altai craftsmen still make souvenirs and decorations from chilim. To do this, the fruits are first dried, after which they are opened with varnish, and sometimes painted. Small nuts are also used to make interesting figurines, magnets and even talismans. Experienced craftsmen even use chilim to create unusual accessories and home decoration.
Chilim is a rather interesting plant that is found in water bodies. This culture contains a large number of valuable components, and therefore it brings great health benefits. This plant can be used to treat a wide variety of pathologies. However, it is important to strictly adhere to the instructions for its use and take into account contraindications.
