Castanea, Chestnut

Ortus Sanitatis, Cube, Johann von, 1501

Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563

Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Flora von Deutschland (10), Kohler, 1882

---

Botanical name:
Castanea sativa

Parts used:
Nut

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, moist

Uses:
1. Nourishes Blood, Tonifies Yin:
-'They have the vertues of Almonds and Hazelnuts, but more nourishing'; Galen said they are the best nuts
-'Breed good blood, and yield commendable nourishment to the body' (Culpeper)
-strengthens the Brain: Alzheimer's, Poor Memory, Dizziness, Deafness, Tinnitus from deficiency
-Lumbago and Diabetes from Kidney deficiency

2. Nourish and Strengthens the Lungs, Stops Cough:
-spasmodic Coughs, including whooping cough
-Nut is excellent for Coughs, spitting of Blood, loss of Voice from dryness or Lung Yin deficiency
-phlegm-type Chest pain

3. Stops Leakages and Bleeding:
-excessive menstrual bleeding;      
-diarrhea and bloody Dysentery; Hematuria
-roasted Chestnuts are an old remedy for intestinal bleeding and internal ulcers when taken with Honey and Maple Syrup.
-the red membranes between the shell and kernel cure bloody Dysentery and Leukorrhea

4. Moves the Blood, Eases Pain:
-Headache, swellings, Scrofula
-Fractures and Bruising


Main Combinations:
1. To nourish Yin, combine with Black Sesame seeds; powder, mix with Honey and eat daily.
2. Coughing Blood; dry chestnuts, powder, mix with Honey (Culpeper)
3. Threatened Miscarriage, with Red Coral Mastic, Mint, Cypress Nuts (Wirtzung)

Major Formulas:
Pills to Prevent Miscarriage (Wirtzung)

Cautions:
They are rich and heavy, not suitable for those with Phlegm and Damp. They breed Melancholy in excess.

Main Preparations used: