Peanuts are annual herbaceous plants belonging to the peanut genus. They have rich root nodules. They are distributed in Brazil, China, Egypt, and other countries. Among them, Shandong Province has the largest planting area and the highest yield. The seeds inside the peanut shell are commonly known as peanuts or peanut kernels, which consist of seed coat, cotyledons, and embryos.
[Prescriptions for peanuts]
①Treatment of chronic cough, autumn dryness, and whooping cough in children: peanuts (without the pointed end), boiled with water and taken orally. (Xinglin Medicine) ②Treatment of athlete's foot: three taels of raw peanut meat (with skin), three taels of red beans, three taels of red dates. Boil them together and drink several times a day. (Modern Practical Chinese Medicine) ③Treatment of low milk production: three taels of peanut kernels, one pig's trotter (use the front leg). Stew and consume. (Luchuan Materia Medica)
[Effects and functions of peanuts]
Taste of peanuts
Sweet, neutral. ①"Sweet, warm, non-toxic." ②"Neutral in nature, sweet in taste." (Benjing Fengyuan, Dietary Dos and Don'ts)
Meridian tropism of peanuts
"Enters the spleen and lungs." (Bencao Qiuzhen)
Functions and indications of peanuts
Moistens the lungs and harmonizes the stomach. It is used to treat dry cough, indigestion, athlete's foot, and low milk production in lactating women. ①"Boiling peanuts in salt water treats pulmonary tuberculosis, stir-frying with dry heat promotes blood circulation, and treats all kinds of cold accumulation in the abdomen with stomach pain." ②"Tonifies the middle and augments qi, boiling peanuts in salt water nourishes the lungs." ③"Tonifies the spleen and moistens the lungs." ④"Harmonizes the spleen, relieves alcoholism, and treats smallpox." ⑤"Raw and ground peanuts are used to resolve phlegm, stir-fried peanuts are used to stimulate appetite and invigorate the spleen, lubricate the intestines, suitable for dry cough, and moisturize dryness and relieve fire." ⑥"Eating peanuts frequently treats indigestion." ⑦"Treats athlete's foot and lack of breast milk in women." (Modern Practical Chinese Medicine)
