🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Chestnuts, commonly known as chestnuts, are also called guili, maoli, and fengli. They are a native Chinese specialty, famously hailed as the "king of dried fruits." Scientific research confirms that chestnuts contain up to 70.1% sugar and starch, 7% protein. Additionally, they contain fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and various vitamins—especially vitamin C, B, and carotene, which are higher than in most other dried fruits.
Traditional Chinese medicine considers chestnuts sweet in taste and warm in nature, non-toxic, with benefits including "tonifying qi, strengthening the spleen, thickening the intestines, nourishing the kidneys, strengthening tendons and bones, promoting blood circulation, and stopping bleeding." *Mingyi Bie Lu* ranks them among the top-grade herbs. Tao Hongjing noted they "nourish qi, thicken the intestines, and tonify kidney qi." *Bencao Gangmu* states: "Chestnuts treat kidney deficiency, weakness in the waist and legs. Place fresh chestnuts in a bag, hang them dry, eat ten or so daily, followed by pig kidney congee to assist, and long-term use will surely strengthen the body." *Tujing Bencao* also records: "Among fruits, chestnuts are most beneficial, especially for treating waist and leg ailments—best consumed raw." Both raw and cooked chestnuts can treat weakness in the waist and legs, frequent urination, regurgitation, bloody stools, chronic lymphadenitis, cervical lymph node tuberculosis, and chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency or infertility due to kidney deficiency. Burned chestnut shells turned into charcoal and ground into powder, mixed with honey and dissolved in water, can treat internal hemorrhoids. Additionally, combining chestnut shells with summer枯草 (summer withered grass) and danshen (red sage root) treats acute cervical lymphadenitis and thyroid enlargement. Chestnuts best nourish the spleen and kidneys, strengthen tendons and bones, promote blood circulation, and stop bleeding. They are suitable for chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, waist pain, weak knees, frequent urination, and injuries or bone trauma. A chestnut porridge made with 50g chestnuts and 100g rice is suitable for all ages—it strengthens the spleen and stomach, enhances appetite, and nourishes the kidneys and bones, particularly beneficial for the elderly suffering from decreased digestive function, weak waist and knees, and difficulty walking.
Although ancient people praised: "Among fruits, chestnuts are most beneficial," chestnuts are hard to digest when raw and prone to causing bloating when cooked. Therefore, they should not be eaten in excess, as too much may harm the spleen and stomach. Chew thoroughly until no residue remains, then swallow slowly to achieve effectiveness. Since chestnuts contain high levels of sugar, those consuming them for tonification should avoid overeating, especially diabetics, to prevent destabilizing blood glucose levels.