What is gevuina?

Also known as Chilean hazelnut, gevuina is an attractive evergreen grown as much for its ornamental beauty as it is for the nutritional value of its nut. A diamond in the rough, gevuina has not yet been the focus of commercial endeavors to the degree that its myriad uses have earned.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

A nutritional powerhouse, gevuina nuts feature a respectable 12 percent protein. Perhaps more impressive is this seed’s oil, measured at 50 percent. Gevuina oil, in fact, boasts a much higher monounsaturated fat (80 percent) content than most lipids, including borage, safflower, sesame, sunflower, pumpkin and olive oil. Virtually odorless, this oil absorbs quickly into the skin, and this feature has brought gevuina oil into anti-aging formulations, anti-wrinkle serums, sun care preparations and baby and shaving products. Vitamin E and b-carotene add to the nutritional value of gevuina nuts.

ABOUT THE HERB

A cold weather tree native to South America’s sub-Antarctic forests, gevuina thrives in the lower portions of Chile and Argentina. A cousin of the macadamia tree, gevuina produces a nut that offers a taste that blends the flavors of hazelnuts and macadamia nuts. Unlike the rock-hard shell that shelters the macadamia, the gevuina nut’s protective coat can be easily cracked or peeled with a knife. As the dark red to black fruit takes a full year to mature, it can be seen sharing space with next season’s flowers.

RECOMMENDED DOSAGE

Although products rendered from the gevuina tree are more popular in the southern hemisphere — this evergreen having been successfully transplanted to New Zealand — its richly delicious and highly nutritious nuts and nut butters deserve a niche on health food store shelves. As gevuina has a proven adaptive capacity to the American Northwest coast, it is only a matter of time before kids are enjoying gevuina butter and jelly sandwiches!

The opinions expressed are solely the writer’s. NOTE: Visit herbalastrology.com to read Ted PanDeva Zagar’s other articles and columns that discuss the benefits of herbs and natural foods. DISCLAIMER: The author’s comments are not intended to serve as medical advice, and he urges his readers to seek qualified wellness professionals to resolve matters of health.

Bill & Sheila’s A-Z of herbs

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