Chestnut in Heping

Chestnut in Heping

　　　Pengzhai Town boasts fertile land and superior farming conditions, making it a well-known land of fish and rice within Heping County. The area has a relatively large economic planting zone dedicated to chestnuts. Chestnuts are rich in various nutrients such as protein, sugar, fat, vitamins, and minerals, and can be eaten either cooked or raw. When cooked, they are soft, crumbly, sweet, and delicious; when eaten raw, they are crisp, sweet, and refreshing, and are hailed as a delicacy among fruits. Their nutritional value is comparable to that of rice. Chestnuts also have significant medicinal properties. According to the "Qianjin Fang" (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold) by Sun Simiao, the “King of Medicine” from the Tang Dynasty, chestnut kernels are recommended for those suffering from kidney diseases. Eating several chestnuts in the morning, at noon, and in the evening daily can be particularly effective for issues such as kidney deficiency, frequent urination, and weakness in the lower back and legs among the elderly. The Northern Song Dynasty essayist Su Shi once suffered from a condition called soft foot disease, which did not improve with prolonged treatment. Later, he met a mountain elder who advised him to pound ten fresh chestnuts every morning, boil them into a soup, and drink it. Sure enough, after taking this remedy for several days, he recovered. Delighted, he wrote the verse: “In my old age I’ve developed pain in my back and legs; an old mountain man’s chestnut remedy is all I beg. When guests arrive, I tell them how I start my day: three slow swallows of white jade broth, and I’m on my way.” Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty was also very fond of chestnuts. She had the imperial kitchen finely grind premium chestnuts into powder, mix it with rock sugar, and steam it into chestnut-shaped steamed buns for her meals. In recent years, research in the medical communities both in China and abroad has found that chestnuts also offer multiple benefits, such as regulating qi and enriching blood, moistening the intestines and nourishing kidneys, relieving cough and moisturizing lungs, as well as strengthening the spleen and enhancing vitality. Hence, they are also referred to as “medicinal fruit.”