Peanuts are renowned for their nourishing properties and longevity-promoting benefits, earning them the folk name "immortality nuts." Like soybeans, they are celebrated as "vegetable meat" and "vegetarian protein." Peanuts surpass grains in nutritional value, rivaling animal-based foods like eggs, milk, and meat. Rich in protein and fats—particularly unsaturated fatty acids—they are ideal for crafting diverse nutritional foods.Nutritional Value of Peanut Kernels Per 100 grams of peanut kernels: Protein: 21.9–25.0 grams Fat: 44.3–48.0 grams Dietary fiber: 13.0–21.2 gramsCarotene: 30-60 μg; Riboflavin: 5-10 μg; Thiamine: 0.12-0.72 mg; Niacin: 17.9-18.9 mg; Vitamin E: 12.94-18.09 mg; Potassium: 563-674 mg; Calcium: 39-47 mg;Magnesium 176-178 mg, phosphorus 315-326 mg, zinc 2.03-2.82 mg, selenium 3.90-7.10 μg.
Peanut protein is a complete protein. After hydrolysis, the total content of eight essential amino acids in 100 grams of peanut kernels reaches 6,818 mg.The fat composition of peanuts is also dominated by unsaturated fatty acids, with oleic acid at 38.4% and linoleic acid at 37.7%.
Thus, peanuts possess high nutritional value. They can satisfy human requirements for essential amino acids and essential fatty acids, provide ample potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, and other mineral elements, and contain significant amounts of vitamins.
Peanut-based dietary therapies:
1. For thrombocytopenia: Stir-fry peanuts (with skins) and consume 60 grams three times daily. One treatment course lasts seven days.
2. For hypertension: Soak peanuts in vinegar for seven days, then consume 10 kernels morning and evening daily.
3. For pulmonary tuberculosis: Consume raw peanuts 4-5 times daily, 10-20 kernels per serving. If experiencing hemoptysis, eat with skins intact.
4. For chronic cough: Remove peanut tips and simmer in decoction over low heat for oral intake.
5. For low milk production: Simmer 90g peanuts with one pig's trotter and consume the broth.
6. Treating Excessive Stomach Acid: Consume peanuts 3 times daily, 20-30 kernels per serving. A 2-3 week course significantly reduces gastric acid secretion.
7. Peanut Nutrient Paste: Grind 15g each of peanuts, sweet almonds, and soybeans into a paste with water. Strain the liquid and consume with cooked rice in the morning or morning/evening.Alternatively, grind all three ingredients into a fine powder. Add water and boil before consumption.
Adapted from Artificial Milk in Medical Fragments of Gold. This formula is rich in protein, amino acids, fats, vitamins, iron, etc., nourishing the spleen and stomach while replenishing deficiencies. Peanuts and sweet almonds also moisten the lungs and resolve phlegm.Its nutritional value rivals cow's milk while offering therapeutic benefits. Used for pulmonary tuberculosis or chronic dry cough; spleen-stomach deficiency, indigestion, emaciation, and fatigue. Especially suitable for convalescent patients.
8. Peanut-Sweet Almond Paste: 100g peanuts, 50g sweet almonds. Pound into a paste. Take 20g each time with honey to taste, dissolved in boiling water.
Peanuts: "The Study of Medicinal Properties states: When ground raw, it expels phlegm... Suitable for dry coughs, nourishing dryness and moistening heat." (Supplements to the Compendium of Materia Medica) This formula combines peanuts with sweet almonds and honey to enhance lung-moistening and cough-relieving effects. Used for chronic cough with shortness of breath and dry cough with scant phlegm.
9. Peanut and Red Bean Decoction: 60g each of peanuts, red beans, and jujubes. Simmer in water to make a soup.
Adapted from Modern Practical Chinese Herbal Medicine. This trio is rich in vitamin B1, supplementing deficiencies while tonifying the spleen and stomach. Used for beriberi, spleen deficiency edema, poor appetite, fatigue, loose stools, diarrhea, and mental exhaustion.
10. Peanut and Pig's Feet Stew: 2 pig's feet (remove hooves and hair, wash clean); 150g peanuts. Add sufficient water, stew over low heat until tender. Season with pork fat and salt before serving.
Source: Lu Chuan Materia Medica. This combination nourishes the spleen, enriches blood, promotes lactation, and increases milk supply. Used for postpartum milk deficiency.
11. Peanut and Red Date Decoction: 120g peanuts, 30g red dates. Simmer in water and drink the decoction. Alternatively, chew peanuts and swallow with red date decoction.
The combination of peanuts and red dates tonifies the spleen, nourishes blood, and stops bleeding. Used for spleen deficiency with blood deficiency, anemia; thrombocytopenic purpura, hemophilia, and other bleeding disorders.