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There are a large number of plants listed in the Red Book, the water chestnut Chilim is the most unusual of them. Ripe fruits have an attractive and at the same time strange appearance – there are processes that resemble horns. Due to the unique beneficial properties, the fruits began to be actively used in all spheres of life, which led to the disappearance of the plant.
Why is the water chestnut so called
The word “Chilim” came from the Turkic language. If we take into account the data of the dictionary published by M. Fasmer, then translated into means “smoking pipe”. In botany, this plant belongs to the genus Rogulnikov, which has a different name, or to be more precise, a water chestnut. To date, water chestnut Chilim has several names:
- floating flyer;
- damn walnut (this is due to processes that look like horns);
- water chestnut (since it grows in the water column);
- floating water chestnut.
This species is so ancient that it is no longer possible to say where exactly Chilim came from and in what territory it was first discovered.
What does a water chestnut look like
If we take into account the photo and description of the water chestnut Chilim, then it is worth noting that the process of fruit formation begins in the fall. The fruits grow small in size, they reach up to 2,5 cm in diameter, and a maximum of 4 cm in length. Since the fruits are quite heavy, Chilim has to additionally build up air cavities, thanks to which the nuts do not sink in water and are on the surface.
Up to 15 fruits can appear on each Chilim. The presence of a dense shell and frightening growths in the form of horns protect the fruit from being eaten by birds, fish and other wild animals. Ripe fruits are able to persist even in late autumn, when most of the plants are already rotting by this time.
In spring, the fruit germinates, which leads to the formation of a new nut. If the conditions for germination are unsuitable, then Chilim can lie at the bottom of the reservoir for several decades, while its germination ability will not be lost. When opening the shell, you can see a large white seed, occupying all the available space.
Where does Chilim water chestnut grow in Our Country?
Chilim appeared more than 25 million years ago. Primitive people ate this product raw. There is evidence that in China this type of plant was grown on purpose, after which it was used for medical purposes and cooking.
Even in Our Country, Chilim was eaten raw, fried and baked. Dried fruits were ground to a state of flour. Until the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century, this plant could be found on the territory of Our Country and Ukraine. As a result of the fact that climatic conditions began to undergo changes, this led to the disappearance of the Chilim nut.
On the territory of Our Country Chilim can be found:
- in Georgia;
- on the territory of Kazakhstan;
- in the Far East;
- in the southern part of Western Siberia;
- in the Dnieper basins.
As a rule, Chilim grows in stagnant waters of lakes and swamps, in floodplains of fresh rivers with a slow current and a muddy bottom. This plant grows actively in clean water bodies, in the presence of pollution it begins to die.
Description of the water chestnut
Chilim belongs to the genus Rogulnikov of the Loosestrife family. The plant is an annual, it cannot be grown in the climatic conditions of Northern Europe, since flowering is possible only in hot weather.
The stems are quite large and flexible, reaching a length of up to 5 m. The leaves are in the shape of an oval or rhombus, along the edges there is a border of teeth, which in appearance resembles a birch. In the process of development, the water chestnut can take root in the soil or grow in the water column.
Thanks to the air-bearing tissue located on the rosette of leaves, the nut does not sink in water and is located on the very surface of the reservoir. In summer, the flowering process begins, as a result of which small white flowers with black petals appear. The buds are constantly under water, and you can only see them early in the morning or late in the evening.
Pollination can be carried out even at the moment when the buds are under water in a closed state. The plant is self-pollinating.
Benefits of water chestnut fruit
On the territory of Our Country, water chestnuts are not used for medicinal purposes as often as in Asia, where local healers simply cannot do without this product. There is a large list of medical indications, according to which it is necessary to use Chilim:
- diseases of the kidneys and genitourinary system;
- since nuts have an antiviral effect, they are used in the fight against herpes, boils, purulent tonsillitis;
- with diarrhea, it is recommended to use fresh fruits or juice;
- allows you to overcome tumors;
- normalizes the work of the gallbladder;
- promotes rapid healing of open wounds on the body;
- has an analgesic effect;
- increases efficiency several times;
- allows you to overcome stress;
- medicines based on water chestnut Chilim are taken after serious illnesses to restore the body.
In folk medicine, not only kernels are used, but also stems, leaves and flowers.
The use of a floating flyer
Water chestnut Chilim is very popular with healers, as a result of which it is used in folk medicine. In addition, it can be used in cooking and cosmetology. Based on this product, you can prepare healing decoctions, tinctures and juices. You can take prepared products inside, use as lotions and rinse the mouth. For cosmetic purposes, Chilim allows you to fight acne.
In the Altai Territory, Chilim is dried and used to make amulets. In addition, they make pendants and souvenirs. In animal husbandry, water chestnuts are used as animal feed, but since this product is rarely found today, this practice is almost forgotten.
In folk medicine
In folk medicine, all parts of the water chestnut are used to prepare medicines. This product allows you to fight the following diseases:
- diseases associated with blood vessels;
- urinary tract infection;
- food poisoning;
- to boost the immune system;
- eye diseases;
- nervous exhaustion;
- used for insect bites and poisonous snakes.
Leaf juice is used for diseases of the eyes and throat, for inflammation of the skin. With angina, it is enough to dilute 15 ml of juice in 150 ml of water and gargle 3 times a day.
As a general tonic, an infusion based on dried leaves and flowers of Chilim is taken. This tool is great for a weakened immune system, diarrhea, inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. Before you start using this product for medicinal purposes, it is recommended that you first consult with your doctor, which will avoid harm to health, instead of the expected benefits.
In cooking
Chilim can be eaten fresh or added to salads and first courses. The fruit is quite juicy and has a pleasant pronounced taste. Chilim nuts can be boiled in lightly salted water or baked in the oven. The taste of a roasted nut can be compared with a chestnut.
If possible, you can dry the fruits, and then grind them to a state of flour. Such flour can be used for baking, which is great for making pancakes, bread, pancakes.
If necessary, you can stew nuts with apples:
- Take 100 g of nuts.
- Peel off the shell.
- Stew in a container of boiling water.
- Peel the same number of apples, cut into small pieces and add to the nuts.
- Stew until fully cooked.
To taste, you can add granulated sugar and a small piece of butter.
In other areas
Few people know that water chestnut Chilim has tonic properties, as a result of which this product is often used as an additive for cosmetic products. If rashes appear on the skin of the face, then they can be spot-treated with rogulnik juice, in addition, the juice is ideal for caring for oily and combination skin types.
Due to its unusual and attractive appearance, the water chestnut is used to make souvenirs, pendants, and amulets for the home.
Growing water chestnut as a pond plant
This type of plant, if necessary, can be grown at home, using for this purpose a large aquarium or pond, the bottom of which is covered with a dense layer of soil. For germination, the creation of suitable conditions is required, the temperature regime should be in the range from + 23 ° С to + 25 ° С.
Seeds are planted in the spring. Before planting the planting material, it is necessary to first place the seeds in camphor alcohol and carefully remove the shell from the place of germination. For planting use a small container filled with silt.
If everything went well, then after the appearance of the first sprout, the development of the nut will begin. As soon as the first leaves appear, it is worth transplanting Chilim into an aquarium or any other body of water. It is important to consider that the plant cannot grow in dirty water, so it must be changed in the pond as often as possible. If after 30 days flowering is not observed, then the nut will die.
Conclusion
Water chestnut Chilim is listed in the Red Book of Our Country, but despite this, it can be found on sale. If necessary, water chestnut Chilim can be grown at home, following all the recommendations for growing.