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Chestnuts, when boiled and eaten, cause Qi stagnation and retention in the chest and diaphragm; raw consumption may induce Qi movement and generate parasites; dried consumption descends Qi and tonifies deficiency, with a specific affinity for the Kidney Meridian, making it suitable for treating Kidney diseases.
It strengthens the waist and limbs, aids strength, consolidates the intestines and stomach, and increases endurance against hunger. Chewed raw and applied to fractures or painful joints, it is miraculous in reducing swelling and dispelling blood stasis. However, those suffering from wind-stroke or water-Qi disorders must strictly avoid it. Excessive consumption by children may prevent teeth from growing.
For the chestnut husk containing three kernels inside, split open and take the single kernel in the center; applying it externally disperses scrofula swellings, moves blood, regulates wind in bones and tendons, and relieves pain. The hairy shell burned to ash, applied externally, treats carbuncles, sores, toxic swellings, and fire-dan (erysipelas). Boiling the red shell to make juice and drinking it stops regurgitation and alleviates thirst. Boiling the tree bark thickly treats sand-lice and stream-poison.
Main indications (referencing *Dou Zhen He Can*): For smallpox, cooked chestnuts eaten in small amounts provide tonification, but excessive intake causes obstruction and stagnation, which is inadvisable. It is suitable for consumption during the pustule-filling stage.

Litchi absorbs the Yang Qi of Heaven and obtains the sweet flavor of Earth. Although *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* states its nature is neutral, it is actually warm. When fresh, its taste is extremely sweet and it is rich in fluids, thus it can quench thirst. Its sweet and warm nature benefits blood and assists Ying (Nutritive) Qi, thereby improving complexion. However, excessive consumption leads to fever or epistaxis and toothache because it grows in hot directions and ripens in summer, thus it tends to assist Fire and cause heat.
The litchi seed is sweet and warm, specifically entering the Liver and Kidney meridians. Burned to retain its properties, ground into powder, and taken with wine, it disperses stagnant Qi, repels cold pathogens, stops heart pain and Small Intestine Qi pain, mania-hernia, and women's blood-Qi stabbing scars. These effects are all due to the power of warmth to promote circulation.
Litchi flesh pleases the countenance, dispels vexation, quenches thirst, benefits intelligence, strengthens Qi, and unites the Spirit. It can dissipate formless stagnant Qi. For goiters, red swellings, excessive eating can resolve them, but overconsumption generates deficient heat. Decoction of flowers and roots is a divine prescription for throat bi-pain. Seeds retained their properties after burning, mixed with wine, treat sudden heart pain and hernia pain. Shells burned to resolve filth are sought for inoculation purposes.
Main indications (referencing *Dou Zhen He Can*): Litchi flesh treats diarrhea caused by deficiency in smallpox and sunken, non-rising eruptions. It nourishes the Spleen and promotes toxin eruption, but one must beware that excessive consumption causes fever and itching. Decoction of shells is used by people in the North to induce smallpox eruptions.

Longan inherits the transformation of "Jia Se" (the nature of Earth/Grains), hence its taste is sweet, nature is neutral, and it is non-toxic. It enters the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian and Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian. The Shaoyin Heart is the Official of the Monarch, storing the Shen (Spirit) and governing Blood. Sweetness benefits blood and tonifies the Heart, strengthening the Monarch and clarifying the Spirit, thereby calming the Five Viscera. Furthermore, sweetness tonifies the Spleen; when the Spleen is tonified, Middle Qi becomes sufficient, the source of transformation does not deplete, the Five Viscera are further stabilized, hundred evils are repelled, the Heart is joyful and Spirit is serene, ears and eyes become clear, the body feels light, and aging is delayed.
Longan flesh is used in medicine because sweetness first enters the Spleen. In ancient formulas like Guipi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction), its efficacy matches that of Renshen (Ginseng). *Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing* calls it "Yi Zhi" (Benefiting Intelligence), benefiting what the Spleen stores, tonifying Heart deficiency and increasing wisdom, pleasing Stomach Qi to cultivate the Spleen, removing forgetfulness and palpitations, calming the Spirit for deep sleep. It is neither hot nor cold, peaceful and precious, nourishing muscles, beautifying the face. Long-term use strengthens will and intelligence, lightens the body, and delays aging. However, those with loose bowels or abdominal fullness should avoid it.
Longan seeds treat fox odor. Take six seeds together with fourteen grains of Hu Jiao (Black Pepper), grind them together, and apply to the area when sweating occurs.
Main indications (referencing *Dou Zhen He Can*): During the pustule-filling stage, it can be added in large doses to major tonifying and supporting agents. However, those with diarrhea or loose bowels should use it sparingly.
Note: The method for taking Longan outside of formal prescriptions: At dawn (Wu Geng), take dried Longan without adding water, scrape the flesh off the pit using the tongue against the teeth. This is the method of "tongue stirring Hua Chi" (swallowing saliva). Chew thoroughly until the residue becomes fine paste, then swallow along with oral saliva as if swallowing hard objects. Then repeat for the second fruit. Consume nine fruits at a time. This process takes about one Shi (two hours). After finishing, rise. During Chen and Si hours (7-11 AM), consume another nine. During Wei and Shen hours (1-5 PM), consume another nine. Before bed, consume another nine. Four times a day, taking half a day's effort. Taking Longan purifies the Heart Qi. Swallowing saliva is the method of "drawing Kan to fill Li." Patients with Lao Zheng (consumptive disease) who diligently practice this for one month will invariably recover. This is a secret local method.