Leung's Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

REFERENCES

See the General References forBAILEY2;FEMA;LUST;ROSENGARTEN;TERRELL;UPHOF.

1. J. H. Zwaving et al.,Pharm. Weekbl., 106 ,
   182 (1971).


2. J. Van Loon,Z. Lebensm. Unters. Forsch.,
   153 , 289 (1973).


3. S. O. Brown et al.,Phytochemistry, 14 ,
   2726 (1975).


4. J. B. Harborne and C. A. Williams,
   Phytochemistry, 11 , 1741 (1972).


5. S. Fejes et al.,J. Ethnopharmacol., 69 , 259
   (2000).

CHESTNUT LEAVES

Source: Castanea dentata(Marsh.) Borkh.

(syn.C.americana(Michx.) Raf.) (Family

Fagaceae).

Common/vernacular names:American chest-

nut leaves, chestnut leaves.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Deciduous tree with rough bark and glabrous

mature leaves that reach about 25 cm in length

and 5 cm in width; up to about 30 m high;

native to North America. Parts used are the

dried leaves.

Once a dominant hardwood species in

eastern North America, the American chest-

nut has been extensively destroyed by a

fungal disease during recent years caused

by Cryphonectria (Endothia) parasitica

(Murrill) Barr (chestnut disease fungus).^1

Consequently, the leaves used in commerce

are mostly derived from Spanish chestnut

leaves (C. sativa Mill.), a native of the

Mediterranean region, or from otherCasta-

neaspecies.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

Contains 8–9% tannins, mucilage, resins, and

others.

PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL

ACTIVITIES

Considered to have tonic and astringent prop-

erties;alsoantitussive,antirheumatic.Offersno

advantageoverotherantitussives(WEISS;WREN).

USES

Food. Used in alcoholic and nonalcoholic

beverages in the form of an extract; reported

use levels are low, less than 0.0075%.

Traditional Medicine. Decoction of leaves

used by the Cherokee Indians in a compound

formula to treat coughs; leaves used by

the Mohegans to treat colds and rheumatism;

leaf infusion used to treat whopping cough

(MOERMAN); infusion of a gargle in pharyngitis;

also as sedative, tonic, and astringent.

COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONS

Crude and extracts. Crude was formerly offi-

cial in N.F. and U.S.P. Strengths (seeglossary)

of extracts are expressed either in weight-

to-weight ratios or, when intended for food

use, in flavor intensities.

Regulatory Status. Leaves approved for food

use as natural flavoring substance (§172.510);

onlyC.dentatais listed.Castaneasativaleaves

are the subject of a German therapeutic mono-

graph; however, use is not recommended since

efficacyisnotwelldocumented(BLUMENTHAL1).

186 Chestnut leaves