1) Strengthening the Kidney and Joints, warming and improving circulation
Many Traditional Chinese Medicine books such as "Be Cao Gang Mu", "Qian Jin Shi Zhi", "Ming Yi Bie Lu" and TCM diet therapy textbooks all mention chestnuts having warming characteristics which can tonify Kidney Qi, warm the circulation and strengthen the lower part of the body such as the back, knees, ankles and their tendons, smooth the joints and can also help to protect the body from the winter cold.

2) The relationship between the kidney, lower back, knees, bones and ankle
Chinese medicine considers the Kidneys are located on the lower back and dominate bone, lower back, knees and ankles. If the Kidney energy is sufficient, it will pass the energy (Qi) and blood to these parts of the body to make them stronger, flexible and healthy due to a better circulation and energy to these areas.

If the Kidney energy is low (especially in the winter, as the cold affects the circulation) the body will have the following symptoms: lower back, knee and ankle pain, lack of energy to walk, puffiness or stiffness around the knees or ankles, cold feet or heel pain.  The body may also have other symptoms such as frequent urination during the night, lowered libido, impotence, early menopause.

3) Chestnuts & the development and growth of Children:
Chestnuts are also beneficial for the development of the legs in Toddlers.  Some children are very late and weaker in walking. This delayed development is usually associated with weaker Kidney function.  These children can eat 2-3 cooked chestnuts per day as part of their treatment.

How to cook chestnuts
Chestnuts are very easy to cook. To prepare the chestnuts, you make a small slit within the husk and a little bit into the nut itself. Place them into boiling water, allowing them to simmer for 10 – 15 minutes and they are ready to eat. During the boiling, you can add a small amount of salt into the water which will help bring the effects of the chestnuts to the Kidney, regarded by the 5 elements theory. Each time, you can have 10-15 chestnuts approximately 2 or 3 times a week.