American chestnut, Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh., here found at Fernwood Botanic gardens, Niles, Michigan.  Great tasting nut, hard to find.  Best plant the seeds instead of eating them.  Let's put this legend back on the map.  Below left: Chestnut in bloom. (More)    Much more below...

Native American Medicine: Cherokee uses were many: Decoction or infusion of  leaves use to treat wounds, sores, colds, arthritis, rheumatism, coughs (whooping cough).  Young end shoot leaves, new growth of spring used in infusion as a wash for eyes. Bark decoction styptic used to stop bleeding after birthing. Iroquois:  Nut meal mixed with oil or grease and used as a hair tonic.

European Traditional Medicine: Castanea sativa (Spanish Chestnut) leaves are dried and traditionally used in infusion (5 grams of dried leaves to one cup of water off the boil) to treat whooping cough, bronchitis and diarrhea.  Also as a gargle for sore throats.  Tannins are believed responsible for the drugs action, yet undocumented.

Veterinarian/Wildlife: Decoction of bark used to treat worms in dogs. 

Below:  Inedible horse chestnut left and edible chestnut right.