🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Chestnuts, commonly known as chestnuts, are also called guilì, máolì, or fēnglì. They are a native Chinese specialty, famously known as the "king among dried fruits." Scientific tests confirm that chestnuts contain up to 70.1% sugar and starch, along with 7% protein. Additionally, they contain fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and various vitamins, especially higher levels of vitamin C, B, and carotene compared to 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 stomach, nourishing the kidneys, reinforcing tendons and bones, promoting blood circulation, and stopping bleeding." *Mingyi Bie Lu* lists them among the top-grade herbs. Tao Hongjing noted they "nourish qi, thicken the stomach, and replenish kidney qi." *Bencao Gangmu* states they "treat kidney deficiency, weak legs, and can be used by placing fresh chestnuts in a bag, drying them, eating ten or so per day, followed by pig kidney porridge to assist, eventually leading to strength." *Tujing Bencao* also records: "Among fruits, chestnuts are most beneficial, especially for treating waist and leg issues—best consumed raw." Raw or 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. Another method combines chestnut shells with summer枯草 (summer herb) and dan shen (salvia) to treat acute cervical lymphadenitis and thyroid enlargement. Chestnuts best nourish the spleen and kidneys, reinforce tendons and bones, promote blood circulation, and stop bleeding. They are suitable for chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency and symptoms like low back pain, weak knees, difficulty walking, frequent urination, injuries, and bone trauma. A chestnut porridge made from 50g chestnuts and 100g rice is suitable for all ages. It strengthens the spleen and stomach, enhances appetite, and nourishes the kidneys and tendons, especially beneficial for elderly people suffering from reduced function, poor appetite, weak knees, and unstable gait.
Although ancient people praised "among fruits, chestnuts are most beneficial," chestnuts are difficult to digest when raw and prone to causing bloating when cooked. Therefore, they should not be eaten excessively, as too much can damage the spleen and stomach. Chew thoroughly until no residue remains, then swallow slowly to achieve effectiveness. Since chestnuts contain high sugar content, one should avoid excessive consumption during supplementation, especially for diabetics, to prevent destabilizing blood glucose levels.