Can horse hooves clear away heat and fire from the body?
Jul 31, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, water chestnuts have a certain effect in clearing heat and reducing internal fire, but their efficacy is limited, and consumption should be kept moderate. Water chestnuts can be eaten raw or cooked. Eating them raw helps preserve more moisture and nutrients, and the heat-clearing effect is relatively more noticeable; when cooked, their cold nature is reduced, making them more suitable for individuals with sensitive stomachs or spleens. In daily life, it is important to develop good dietary habits and drink plenty of water.
Generally speaking, water chestnuts have a certain effect in clearing heat and reducing internal fire, but their efficacy is limited, and moderation is necessary when consuming them. A detailed explanation is as follows:
Water chestnuts are a commonly used food ingredient. They are cool in nature and rich in moisture and dietary fiber. The water content helps replenish body fluids and alleviate symptoms such as dry mouth caused by internal heat, while the dietary fiber promotes intestinal motility and helps eliminate accumulated heat from the body. Eating water chestnuts in moderation can help relieve mild symptoms of excessive internal heat, such as sore throat and mouth ulcers.
However, excessive consumption of water chestnuts may irritate the gastrointestinal tract due to their cold nature, potentially causing discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, particularly in individuals with weak or cold spleen and stomach functions. Furthermore, the heat-clearing effect of water chestnuts cannot replace medical treatment for severe symptoms caused by excessive internal heat. Therefore, it is important to control the amount consumed.
Water chestnuts can be eaten raw or after being cooked. Eating them raw preserves more moisture and nutrients, thereby offering a relatively stronger heat-clearing effect. When cooked, their cold nature is reduced, making them more suitable for individuals with sensitive digestive systems. In daily life, it is important to develop good dietary habits, drink plenty of water, avoid excessive consumption of spicy and irritating foods, and include other heat-clearing vegetables and fruits in the diet to maintain overall physical well-being.
