In California the buckeye was eaten as a starvation food in the lack or absence of acorns. It can be smashed and rinsed at least a dozen times in clean water each time to remove the "chemicals" that make it toxic. Then it was boiled in baskets with hot rocks. It was also used to stun fish in fresh water. I watched movies in elementary school years ago on the process. Might be able to find them on you tube. I think they were made in the 60s?