Conkers

[notgreenfingers]

Around here we are surronded by horse chesnuts & it seems such a terrible waste to have they just falling to the groung & rotting . So i did a little research & although they are poisonous to eat i have found a use for them.

Varicose Vein Gel
First you need to make the tincture:
20 conkers
500ml Vodka

Blend in liquidizer, but in sterilized bottle. Store for one month in cool dark place, shaking every couple of days

To make the gel:
3 sachets vegetable gelatine
150ml water
150ml tincture
5 drops lavender oil

Put water & gelatine in a pan, whisk until dissolved. Heat for 2 minutes whisking constantly. As it begins to thicken slowly add the tincture & lavender oil. Pour into a sterilized 250ml bottle.
Can be keprt in the fridge for 3 months

This recipe has been taken from the BBC book 'grow your own drugs'
I intend on making up the tincture today & then making a few batches of this gel as nearly all the women in my family have varicose veins it's a genetic thing. According to the book Horse chesnut 'conatins saponins which are used to treat varicose veins to improve the elasticity of the walls of the veins, reducing swelling & relieving the feeling of heaviness'

[roitelet]

Conkers contain a natural napthaline which is a moth deterrent. Dry them first and then put them in the drawer with the wollies and you won't get moth in them and they won't smell like moth balls.

[pdblake]

Conkers contain a natural napthaline which is a moth deterrent. Dry them first and then put them in the drawer with the wollies and you won't get moth in them and they won't smell like moth balls.

Wonder if that would work on cabbage whites. Conker tea spray perhaps?

[northepaul]

Wonder if that would work on cabbage whites. Conker tea spray perhaps?

Problem is, your cabbages may be inedible from the spray.