In autumn and winter, we often use lotus seeds for nourishment. What are the health benefits of lotus seeds, which can be used both as medicine and food, for our bodies? In Traditional Chinese Medicine, lotus seeds can tonify the spleen, regulate spleen deficiency, and tonify the kidney to secure essence. They are also very effective for gynecological and andrological diseases. Lotus seeds can also nourish the heart to calm the mind and treat insomnia.
Shennong Ben Cao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica Classic)
It is the mature seed of the lotus plant (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) of the Nymphaeaceae family. It is mainly produced in Hunan, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and other southern regions in ponds and lakes. It is harvested in autumn, sun-dried, and used raw.
Properties: Sweet, astringent, neutral. It enters the Spleen, Kidney, and Heart meridians.
Effects: Secures essence and stops leukorrhea, tonifies the spleen to stop diarrhea, benefits the kidney and nourishes the heart.
Applications:
1. Spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation.
This herb is sweet and astringent, enters the Kidney meridian, and can benefit the kidney to secure essence. For treating spermatorrhea or premature ejaculation due to kidney deficiency where the essence gate is not secure, it is often used together with fox nut (Euryale ferox).
2. Leukorrhea.
This herb both tonifies the spleen and benefits the kidney, and also secures and stops leukorrhea. Its dual action of tonifying and astringing makes it a common remedy for leukorrhea due to spleen or kidney deficiency. For leukorrhea due to spleen deficiency, it is often used with Poria and Atractylodes macrocephala; for leukorrhea that is clear and thin with soreness in the lower back and knees due to deficiency of both the spleen and kidney, it can be used with Cornus officinalis, Chinese yam (Dioscorea polystachya), and fox nut.
3. Diarrhea due to spleen deficiency.
This herb's sweetness can tonify the spleen, and its astringency can stop diarrhea, both replenishing the spleen qi and astringing the intestines to stop diarrhea. For treating chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency with poor appetite, it is often used with Codonopsis pilosula, Poria, and Atractylodes macrocephala, as in Shenling Baizhu San (Prescription Bureau's Formulary for Divine Leaping Powder).
4. Palpitations, insomnia.
This herb is sweet and neutral, entering the Heart and Kidney meridians, and can nourish the heart blood, benefit the kidney qi, and communicate the heart and kidney to achieve a calming effect. For treating vexation, palpitations, and insomnia due to disharmony between the heart and kidney, it is often used with sour jujube seed (Ziziphus spinosa), Poria cum radiculis pini, and Polygala tenuifolia.
Usage and Dosage: Decoct for oral administration, 10-15g. Use by removing the heart and crushing.
Ancient Text Summaries:
1. Shennong Ben Cao Jing: "It mainly tonifies the center, nourishes the spirit, and supplements qi and strength."
2. Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica): "It connects the heart and kidney, thickens the intestines, secures essence and qi, strengthens muscles and bones, tonifies deficiency and damage... stops chronic diarrhea and dysentery due to the spleen, and various blood diseases in women such as leukorrhea, uterine bleeding, and metrorrhagia."
3. Yu Jiu Yao Jie (Yujiao's Interpretation of Materia Medica): "Lotus seeds are sweet and neutral, very beneficial to the spleen and stomach. Their astringent nature is most suitable for those with diarrhea, spermatorrhea, and loose stools, and is extremely effective."
Chemical Composition: This herb mainly contains starch, protein, fat, carbohydrates, raffinose, calcium, phosphorus, iron, etc.
Appendix Herbs:
1. Lian Xu (Lotus Stamen)
It is the stamen of the lotus flower. It is sweet and astringent in taste, and neutral in nature. Its function is to secure the kidney and astringe essence. It is indicated for spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, leukorrhea, and frequent urination. For oral decoction, the dosage is 1.5-5g.
2. Lian Fang (Lotus Receptacle)
It is the mature receptacle of the lotus flower. It is bitter and astringent in taste, and warm in nature. Its function is to stop bleeding and resolve blood stasis. It is indicated for metrorrhagia, hematuria, hemorrhoidal bleeding, postpartum blood stasis, and lochioschesis. It is used charred. For oral decoction, the dosage is 5-10g.
3. Lian Zi Xin (Lotus Plumule)
It is the tender germ inside the lotus seed. It is bitter in taste and cold in nature. Its function is to clear the heart and calm the spirit, communicate the heart and kidney, and astringe essence to stop bleeding. It is indicated for heat entering the pericardium with coma and delirium; disharmony between the heart and kidney with insomnia and spermatorrhea; and hematemesis due to heat in the blood. For oral decoction, the dosage is 1.5-3g.
4. He Ye (Lotus Leaf)
It is the leaf of the lotus plant. It is bitter and astringent in taste, and neutral in nature. Its function is to clear summer heat, promote urination to drain dampness, and raise yang to stop bleeding. It is indicated for summer heat diseases, diarrhea due to spleen deficiency, and various bleeding syndromes. For oral decoction, the dosage is 3-10g.
5. Ge Geng (Lotus Petiole)
It is the petiole and flower stalk of the lotus plant. It is bitter in taste and neutral in nature. Its function is to move qi and open the chest, harmonize the stomach and calm the fetus. It is indicated for external contraction of summer heat with chest tightness and discomfort; morning sickness during pregnancy; and restless fetal movement. For oral decoction, the dosage is 10-15g.
The lotus, not only emerging unstained from mud, has many parts besides the seed that can be used as medicine. The lotus petiole can expel dampness. The lotus leaf not only treats bleeding but is also very effective for summer heat and dampness diseases. Although the lotus plumule is bitter, it can clear heat and reduce fire.