Euryale seed, also known as fox nut, is a plant of the same family as lotus seed. It is the mature seed of the annual aquatic plant Euryale ferox in the water lily family, and its effects are relatively similar to those of lotus seed. Euryale seed is also a product that serves both medicinal and dietary purposes. It can be cooked into porridge together with lotus seeds, coix seed, longan, etc., which is nutritious and suitable for people of all ages. It is mainly produced in Hunan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong, and other regions. After harvesting in autumn, the outer skin is removed, the hard shell is crushed, and the kernel is dried in the sun or further processed by removing the inner skin for medicinal use. It should be crushed before use.
I. Effects of Euryale Ferox:
Euryale seed tastes sweet and astringent, with a neutral nature. It belongs to the spleen and kidney meridians. Its effects includeInvigorate the spleen to stop diarrhea, benefit the kidneys to secure essence, and eliminate dampness to stop leukorrheaIts characteristics include tonifying the spleen, promoting transportation, and dispelling dampness, while also being inclined towards astringency. Its efficacy is similar to that of lotus seeds, and they are often used together in combination.
Commonly used inseminal emission and spermatorrhea, enuresis and frequent urination, chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, white turbidity, leukorrheaTreatment of conditions such as
Summary of Famous Works by Renowned Authors
"The Classic of Materia Medica": "It treats damp impediment, pain in the lumbar spine and knees, supplements the center, eliminates sudden illnesses, boosts essential qi, strengthens the will, and sharpens the ears and eyes."
Rihuazi Materia Medica: "Stimulates appetite and boosts qi."
Compendium of Materia Medica: "Quenches thirst and benefits the kidneys, treats urinary incontinence, nocturnal emissions, and leukorrhea."
Ben Cao Qiu Zhen: "Euryale seeds have a sweet taste and tonify the spleen, thus they can promote diuresis and treat diarrhea and abdominal pain; they have an astringent taste and consolidate the kidney, thus they can retain qi and cure conditions such as involuntary urination and leukorrhea. Their effects are similar to those of Chinese yam, yet the tonifying properties of Chinese yam are somewhat stronger than those of euryale seeds, while the astringent properties of euryale seeds are more pronounced than those of Chinese yam. Moreover, Chinese yam also tonifies lung yin, whereas euryale seeds only act on the spleen and kidney, without affecting the lungs."
Jade Carving Medicine Explanation: "Euryale seed stabilizes and astringes slippery discharge, treating conditions such as seminal emission, urinary incontinence, white turbidity, and leukorrhea."
"Compendium of Materia Medica": "Strengthens the kidneys and benefits essence, tonifies the spleen and removes dampness. Treats diarrhea with turbid discharge, incontinence of urine, nocturnal emissions and seminal leakage, and pain and numbness in the lower back and knees."
II. Compatibility and Application of Euryale Seeds:
1. Used for spleen deficiency diarrhea, persistent over time. Euryale ferox is sweet and astringent, tonifying the spleen and also capable of dispelling dampness, making it an excellent remedy for spleen deficiency diarrhea. For chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, with insufficient middle qi, or accompanied by lung deficiency cough and asthma, it is often combined with ginseng, atractylodes, Chinese yam, lotus seeds, etc., namelyShenling Baizhu PowderIt is truly a good prescription, most worthy of learning.
2. Used for kidney deficiency with seminal emission, incontinence of urine, excessive leukorrhea, etc. Euryale seed has the effects of benefiting essence, securing essence, removing dampness, and stopping leukorrhea. It can be used both medicinally and in dietary therapy, making it an excellent product. For treating seminal emission and spermatorrhea, it is often combined with flatstem milkvetch seed, lotus stamen, dragon bone, oyster, etc., namelyJinsuo Gujing Wan。
For treating conditions such as nocturnal emission, frequent urination, and excessive leukorrhea, Euryale ferox is often used in combination with Rosa laevigata, namelyShuilu Erxian DanBoth herbs are substances that tonify the kidneys and secure astringency. Rosa laevigata grows on land, while Euryale ferox grows in water, hence the name.
If treating white turbid urine, Euryale ferox can also be used together with Poria cocos, made into pills with honey, and taken with salt water, which is called Fenqing Pills.
3. For dietary therapy and health preservation. It can be used similarly to lotus seeds, often cooked in porridge, which has the effects of tonifying the spleen, stopping diarrhea, and benefiting the kidneys.
III. Usage and Dosage of Euryale Seeds:
Euryale seed is often used in decoctions, and can also be made into pills, powders, or consumed as food. The typical dosage in decoctions ranges from over ten grams to several tens of grams; for consumption, use an appropriate amount.
Stir fried with bran Euryale ferox, commonly used for diarrhea due to spleen deficiency.
Wang Ang said: "Steam until cooked, then pound into powder for use. For astringing essence, it may be used with the shell."
