《Professional Interpretation & Dietary Applications of Water Chestnut》
1. Nature, Taste, and Meridians
Nature & Taste: Sweet in taste, slightly cold in nature.
Meridians Entered: Primarily enters the Lung, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians.
Professional Interpretation:
Water chestnut has a sweet taste that nourishes Lung and Stomach Yin, and promotes the generation of body fluids to relieve thirst. Its slightly cooling nature enables it to clear heat, transform phlegm, cool the Blood, and detoxify the body. By entering the Lung meridian, it clears Lung heat and transforms phlegm; by entering the Stomach meridian, it generates fluids, benefits the Stomach, aids digestion, and alleviates food stagnation and abdominal bloating; through the Large Intestine meridian, it moistens the intestines, promotes bowel movements, and cools the Blood to stop bleeding. Due to its cooling tendency and crisp, juicy texture, water chestnut is traditionally known as the “the snow pear beneath the soil.” It is especially effective in clearing heat from the upper and middle burners.
2. Core Concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Underlying Core Mechanism and the Origin of Its Reputation as a “Cooling & Moistening Fruit”. In TCM, the Lung is considered a delicate organ that prefers moisture and dislikes dryness, while the Stomach, classified as Yang Earth, likewise prefers moisture and dislike dryness. When pathogenic heat or dryness invades the body, it readily damages the fluids of the Lung and Stomach, leading to symptoms such as dry cough, thirst, and constipation.
Sweet and cooling to generate fluids:
Its sweet taste nourishes and supplements, while its cooling nature clears heat. Being rich in natural juices, water chestnut can directly replenish depleted body fluids, clearing heat without damaging Yin, and moistening dryness without causing cloying stagnation.
Transforming phlegm and resolving food stagnation:
Its slightly cold nature helps transform heat-phlegm in the Lung. In addition, its high-water content and dietary fibre promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, aiding digestion and relieving food stagnation.
- Cooling the Blood and detoxifying:
For conditions involving heat in the Blood level—such as sore throat or red eyes, it provides an auxiliary effect of clearing heat, cooling the Blood, and relieving toxicity.
Through this integration action of “clearing, moistening, and promoting free flow”, water chestnut is regarded as an excellent dietary therapy for clearing heat, generating fluids, relieving dryness, and promoting bowel movements.
3. Supporting Evidence from Modern Nutritional Science
Modern research has shown that the traditional functions of water chestnut are supported by identifiable nutritional and bioactive components:
High water content and natural sugars:
Water chestnut contains over 80% water and naturally occurring sugars such as glucose and fructose, which help rapidly replenish body fluids and provide readily available energy. This aligns closely with its traditional TCM function of generating fluids and relieving thirst.
Puerarin:
A distinctive bioactive compound with antibacterial properties. Studies indicate inhibitory effects against microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, offering a modern scientific basis for its traditional role in “clearing heat and detoxifying.”
Dietary fibre:
Rich in dietary fibre, which promotes intestinal peristalsis, helps prevent constipation, and facilitate the elimination of intestinal waste. This reflect its traditional TCM function of “resolving food stagnation and promoting bowel movement.”
Phosphorus:
Water chestnut contains relatively high levels of phosphorus, an essential mineral for growth and development and the maintenance of normal physiological functions. It supports the health of bones, teeth, and the nervous system.
Low caloric value:
Due to its high water and fibre content, water chestnut is low in calories, making it a suitable choice for a healthy diet.
Note:
Bioactive compounds such as puerarin are susceptible to degradation when exposed to prolonged heat. Therefore, when water chestnut is used for clearing heat and generating fluids, raw consumption or brief heating is considered more effective.
4. Summary of Core Effects
Clears heat and generates fluids, moistens the Lung and Throat:
Suitable for conditions in which febrile diseases or internal heat in the Lung and Stomach injure body fluids, leading to thirst, dry or sore throat, and dry cough with scanty sputum.
Transforms phlegm and relieves food stagnation, moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movement:
Beneficial for phlegm-heat cough, abdominal bloating due to food stagnation, and constipation caused by intestinal dryness.
Cools the Blood and detoxifies, supports blood pressure regulation:
Provides supportive regulation for symptoms associated with heat in the Blood. Its rich content of potassium and dietary fibre is beneficial for maintaining stable blood pressure levels.
5. Differentiated Use of Raw and Cooked Water Chestnut
The medicinal nature and therapeutic emphasis of raw and cooked water chestnut differ:
Category | Raw Water Chestnut | Cooked Water Chestnut |
Medicinal nature | Cooling to slightly cooling in nature | Becomes more neutral and gentle |
Suitable for | Individuals with excessive heat in the Lung and Stomach, fluid deficiency with thirst, sore throat, red eyes, dark-coloured urine, heat-phlegm cough, and strong thirst with preference for cold drinks | Individuals with weaker digestion (Spleen & Stomach), intolerance to raw or cold foods, indigestion, abdominal bloating, food stagnation, also suitable as a daily dessert due to its milder nature |
Important reminder:
Raw water chestnut may carry parasitic organisms (such as flukes). It must be thoroughly washed and peeled, or preferably consumed after cooking. Individuals with weakened immunity and children are advised to consume cooked water chestnut only.
6. Traditional Dietary Recipes with Modern Adaption
Water chestnut has a crisp, tender texture and abundant natural juices, making it especially suitable for blending into a smooth, fine puree using the iTAZZO i-Processor. This method helps retains its nutritional components and allows its cooling nature to be more easily readily accepted by the Spleen and Stomach.
Water Chestnut Spleen-Strengthening Congee
Main Indications: Strengthens the Spleen, stimulates appetite, and resolves food stagnation.
In children, the Spleen is often underdeveloped and easily injured by improper diet. Modern adults likewise frequently experience food stagnation and abdominal bloating due to irregular eating habits.
This formula draws upon the food-resolving properties of water chestnut, combined with ingredients that are sweet and neutral in nature and strengthen the Spleen. Prepared into a smooth, delicate congee using the iTAZZO i-Processor, it helps relieve digestive stagnation while protecting the delicate Spleen and Stomach. With a naturally mild sweetness, it is suitable for both children and the elderly.
Water Chestnut & Cucumber Cooling Drink
Main Indications: Clears heat and relieves heat, generates body fluids, and alleviates irritability.
During hot weather, or individuals with an underlying tendency towards internal heat, symptoms such as irritability, thirst, scanty dark urine, and dry throat may easily arise. This formula follows the TCM principle of “clearing heat and promoting urination”, using two common fruits and vegetables that are cooling in nature, juicy, and sweet in taste. With the aid of iTAZZO i-Processor, their essences are combined into a refreshing drink. The formulation is extremely simple, with easy-to-find ingredients. It is designed to rapidly replenish fluids and cooling energy, guiding pathogenic heat to be discharged through urination. This makes it a practical, everyday wellness drink well suited to modern fast-paced lifestyles.
Formula Principles & TCM Interpretation
Water chestnut:
Slightly cooling in nature, sweet in taste; enters the Lung and Stomach meridians. Excels at clearing heat, generating body fluids, transforming phlegm, and relieving food stagnation. Rich in natural juices, it directly relieves heat-induced thirst in the upper burner (Heart and Lung), serving as the principal ingredient for clearing heat and generating body fluids in this formula.
Cucumber:
Cooling in nature, sweet in taste; enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians.Compendium of Materia Medica records that cucumber “clears heat, promotes urination, detoxifies and reduces swelling.” Its heat-clearing effect is gentle, while its diuretic action is pronounced, helping to expel excess internal heat and metabolic waste through urine. It’s the key ingredient for promoting urination and guiding heat downward.
Synergistic pairing:
When combined, water chestnut focuses on “clearing above” (clearing heat from the Lung and Stomach, generating fluids, relieving thirst), while cucumber focuses on “draining below” (promoting urination and guiding heat downward. One clears, the other drains—working together to disperse heat from both upper and lower aspects, achieving the effects of clearing heat, generating fluids, and calming irritability, while remaining gentle and unlikely to injure the Spleen and Stomach.
Ingredients (1–2 servings)
- Water Chestnut (peeled): 80–100 gm
- Cucumber: 1 piece (approx. 150–200 gm)
- Filtered Water: 200–300 ml
- Optional flavour enhancers:
- Fresh Mint Leaves: 3–5 leaves (enhances cooling and disperses wind-heat)
- Honey or Lemon Juice: a small amount (improves taste and harmonizes flavour)
Preparation (Three Simple Steps, Instant Cooling Effect)
- Thoroughly wash, peel and dice the water chestnuts. Soak the cucumber in salt water or baking soda solution for 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly under running water. The peel may be retained as it’s nutrient-rich. If pesticide residue is a concern, peel and cut into small sections. Wash the mint leaves if using.
- Place the water chestnuts, cucumber and mint leaves, and drinking water into the iTAZZO i-Processor.
- Secure the lid, blend at Speed 8 for 10 minutes until a smooth, fresh light green juice.
- Pour into a cup and add a small amount of honey or few drops of lemon juice if you prefer. Stir gently before drinking.
Consumption Tips and Precautions
- Best Time
- Immediate thirst relief: Consume when feeling hot, thirsty, or irritable. Chilling improves taste, but individuals with cold or deficient constitution should consume at room temperature or lightly chilled.
- Daily wellness: As a healthy drink for breakfast or in the afternoon.
- Frequency:
- During hot weather or periods of heat and dryness, once daily. For daily wellness: 2–3 times per week is sufficient.
- Important reminders:
- Suitable for: Individuals with heat-prone constitutions or affected by weather heat, presenting with dry mouth, excessive sweating, yellow urine, and irritability.
- Use with caution / avoid:
- Spleen–Stomach deficiency with cold: Individuals who are prone to cold, abdominal cold pain, or diarrhea should reduce intake or avoid use.
- During menstruation and pregnancy: Use cautiously; reduce the amount of cucumber, lightly blanch it before blending.
- Ingredient handling:
- Water chestnuts must be peeled, and cucumbers thoroughly washed to prevent parasite contamination or pesticide residue.
- Consumption advice:
- Drink immediately after preparation; do not store, to avoid oxidation and bacterial growth.
- Dietary therapy positioning:
- This drink is intended for daily wellness and may help regulate mild heat symptoms. If severe thirst, dark urine, or other pronounced symptoms occur, seek medical attention promptly.
This Water Chestnut & Cucumber Cooling Drink draws upon the naturally sweet, cooling, and moistening qualities of nature, transforming ordinary ingredients into a nourishing elixir. Easy to prepare and refreshing to drink, it’s like a clear spring flowing through the heart, effectively dispelling heat and replenishing body fluids—an accessible, nature-aligned and effective seasonal wellness choice.
《⻢蹄专业解读与⻝疗应⽤》
⼀、性味归经
性味：味⽢，性微寒。
归经：主⼊肺、胃、⼤肠经。
【专业解读】
⻢蹄（荸荠 bí qí）的“⽢”味能滋养肺胃之阴，⽣津⽌渴；其“微寒”之性则能清热化痰、凉⾎解毒。归肺经可清肺热、化痰涎，归胃经能⽣津益胃、消⻝除 胀，归⼤肠经则有润肠通便、凉⾎⽌⾎之功。因其性偏寒凉，质地脆嫩多汁，故有“地下雪梨”之美誉，尤擅清解上中焦之热。
⼆、传统中医理论核⼼
（核⼼机理与“清润之果”的由来）
中医认为，肺为娇脏，喜润恶燥；胃为阳⼟，喜润恶燥。热邪或燥邪易伤肺胃津液，导致⼲咳、⼝渴、便秘等症。
⽢寒⽣津：其味⽢能补，性寒能清，汁液丰沛，能直接补充⼈体津液，清热⽽不伤阴，润燥⽽不滋腻。
化痰消积：微寒之性可化解肺中热痰，其质地富含⽔分与膳⻝纤维，能促进胃肠蠕动，帮助消化积滞。
凉⾎解毒：对于⾎分有热引起的咽喉肿痛、⽬⾚等症，有辅助清热凉⾎之效。
这种 “清、润、通” 相结合的特性，使其成为清热⽣津、润燥通便的佳品。
三、现代营养科学佐证
现代研究发现，⻢蹄（荸荠 bí qí）的传统功效有其物质基础：
- ⾼⽔分与多种糖类：含⽔量达80%以上，并含有葡萄糖、果糖等，能快速补充体液和能量，与传统“⽣津⽌渴”功效吻合。
- 荸荠英（Puerarin）：⼀种独特的抗菌成分，对⾦⻩⾊葡萄球菌、⼤肠杆菌等有⼀定抑制作⽤，为其“清热解毒”提供了科学依据。
- 膳⻝纤维：含量丰富，能促进肠道蠕动，预防便秘，有助于清除肠道废物，体现“消积通便”之能。
- 磷元素：含量较⾼，是促进⼈体⽣⻓发育、维持⽣理功能的重要矿物质，有益于⻣骼、⽛⻮及神经健康。
- 低热量：富含⽔分和纤维，热量较低，是健康饮⻝的良好选择。
注意：荸荠英等活性成分在加热后易被破坏，故⽤于清热⽣津时，⽣⻝或短暂加热效果更佳。
四、核⼼功效总结
- 清热⽣津，润肺利咽：适⽤于热病伤津或肺胃有热引起的⼝渴、咽喉⼲痛、
- ⼲咳少痰。
- 化痰消积，润肠通便：针对痰热咳嗽、⻝积腹胀及肠燥便秘。
- 凉⾎解毒，辅助降压：对⾎热引起的症状有辅助调理作⽤，其富含的钾和膳⻝纤维对维持⾎压稳定有积极意义。
五、⽣熟⻢蹄的鉴别应⽤
⻢蹄⽣⻝与熟⻝，其性味功效侧重点有所不同：
类型 | ⽣⻢蹄 | 熟⻢蹄 |
药性偏向 | 性偏寒凉 | 性转平和 |
适⽤⼈群 | 肺胃热盛、津伤⼝渴者咽喉肿痛、⽬⾚尿⻩ 热痰咳嗽、⼝渴喜冷饮 | 脾胃偏弱、不耐⽣冷者消化不良、腹胀⻝积 作为⽇常甜品、性质更为温和 |
重要提醒：⽣⻢蹄可能寄⽣姜⽚⾍，务必彻底洗净、去⽪，或选择熟制。免疫⼒低下者及⼉童建议熟⻝。
六、⻝疗古⽅新制
⻢蹄质地脆嫩，汁液丰富，⾮常适合⽤智能养生机机打成细腻浆汁，既能保留全部营养，⼜使其寒凉之性更易被脾胃接受。
⻢蹄⻩⽠清凉饮
主治：清热解暑，⽣津除烦
天气炎热，或平素体内有热，易导致⼼烦⼝渴、⼩便短⾚、咽喉⼲燥。此⽅秉承中医“清热利⽔”之原则，选⽤两款皆性凉、多汁、味⽢的⽇常蔬果，借助智能养生机将其精华融为⼀体。配⽅极致简单，材料唾⼿可得，旨在为身体快速补充⽔分与清凉，引导热邪随⼩便⽽下，是适合现代快节奏⽣活的平⺠养⽣饮。
配⽅原理与中医解析
- ⻢蹄：性微寒，味⽢。⼊肺、胃经。功擅清热⽣津、化痰消积。其汁液丰沛，能直解上焦（⼼肺）之热渴，为⽅中清热⽣津之主药。
- ⻩⽠：性凉，味⽢。⼊脾、胃、⼤肠经。《本草纲⽬》记载其能“清热利
- ⽔，解毒消肿”。其清热之⼒平和，⽽利⽔（利尿）效果显著，能将体内多余的热量与代谢废物通过尿液排出，为⽅中利⽔导热之关键。
- 配伍意义：⼆者相配，⻢蹄侧重于“清上”（清肺胃热，⽣津⽌渴），⻩
⽠侧重于“利下”（利尿通淋，引热下⾏）。⼀清⼀利，上下分消，共奏清热解暑、⽣津除烦之效，且性质平和，不易伤及脾胃。
材料准备（1-2⼈份）
- ⻢蹄（去⽪）：80-100 gm
- ⻩⽠：1根（约150-200 gm）
- 纯净⽔：200-300 ml
- 可选增味：
- 薄荷叶：3-5⽚（增添清凉疏⻛之效）
- 蜂蜜或柠檬汁：少许（改善⼝感，调和⻛味）
制作步骤（三步速成，清凉⽴现）
- ⻢蹄彻底洗净、去⽪，切成⼩块。⻩⽠⽤盐⽔或⼩苏打浸泡10分钟后，⽤流⽔冲洗⼲净。可保留⻩⽠⽪（⽪中营养素丰富），如担⼼农药残留，亦可去⽪。切成⼩段。薄荷叶洗净（如使⽤）。
- 将⻢蹄块、⻩⽠段、薄荷叶及饮⽤⽔⼀同放⼊智能养生机机中。
- 盖紧盖⼦，设定8档速，⾼速搅打10分钟，直⾄成为颜⾊清新、质地均匀细腻的淡绿⾊浆汁。
- 倒⼊杯中，可根据个⼈喜好，加⼊少许蜂蜜或挤⼊⼏滴柠檬汁，轻轻搅匀后饮⽤。
饮⽤宜忌与温馨提示
- 最佳饮⽤时机：
- 即时解渴：在感觉炎热、⼝渴、⼼烦时即时饮⽤，冰镇后⼝感更佳
- （但体质虚寒者建议常温或略冰即可）。
- ⽇常保健：作为早餐或午后的健康饮品。
- 饮⽤频率：夏季或感觉燥热时，可每⽇1次。作为⽇常调理，每周2-3次即可。
- 核⼼提醒：
- 适⽤⼈群：本⽅性味平和偏凉，适合⼤多数体质偏热、或夏季感受暑热的⼈群，表现为⼝⼲、汗多、⼩便⻩、⼼情烦躁。
- 慎⽤/忌⽤⼈群：
- 脾胃虚寒者：平素畏寒怕冷、腹部冷痛、容易腹泻者，应减少饮⽤量或避免饮⽤。
- ⼥性经期及孕妇：建议慎⽤，或减少⻩⽠⽤量，或将⻩⽠轻微焯⽔后再打汁。
- 材料处理：⻢蹄务必去⽪，⻩⽠务必洗净，以防寄⽣⾍或农药残留。
- 饮⽤建议：现打现喝，不宜久存，以免氧化和细菌滋⽣。
- ⻝疗定位：本品为⽇常养⽣清凉饮品，对于轻微的热症有调理作⽤。若烦渴、尿⾚等症状严重，应及时就医。
此杯⻢蹄⻩⽠清凉饮，取天地间⽢凉清润之⽓，化寻常⻝材为养⽣⽢露。其制作便捷，⼊⼝清爽，如⼀道清泉流过⼼⽥，能有效涤荡夏⽇烦暑，补充身体津液，实为顺应⾃然、简便效佳的时令养⽣之选。
