Hazel nuts have been found in all human settlements, right back to the Neolithic period. This is less surprising when it is appreciated the nuts contain vitamins A, B, C as well as potassium calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron and protein and a high per cent of fatty oil. They can be eaten raw as well as roasted and appear in countless recipes.
The hazel tree takes nine years to mature and flower
(see mythology) and although its stems
die after thirty to fifty years, these are replaced by new shoots, and it is
this which makes hazel appear unusually young, even though its root or stump can
be hundreds of years old
Catkins appear first, before the leaves, and the female flowers a month later, with scarlet stigmas.
Often grown in groves, the bark is smooth with lightly 'blistered' nodes.
Several species of moth may be found as chrysalis under hazel leaves.
It is consistently used in many countries for divination or dowsing (finding underground water supplies and streams). Either two light hazel wands are held, one in either palm of the dowser, or else a forked branch may be preferred, with the two lower ends of the stick held lightly in either palm and forefingers pointing up along the wood to the root of the fork. As the tip bends (which can happen dramatically) the line of the water course can be plotted with accuracy.
In hotter countries, almond can occasionally be substitute for hazel.
Medicinally, witch hazel is excellent for healing skin irritations. Leaves and bark are ancient remedies for heart problems and prevent dilation of blood vessels.
birch family: Betulaceae Hazel (coryllus avellana)