During the autumn season, fresh lotus root is in season. Besides containing a large amount of carbohydrates, fresh lotus root is also rich in protein, various vitamins, and minerals. As the old saying goes, "Freshly picked tender lotus root is better than a great physician." For the elderly, autumn lotus root is an excellent food for nourishing the spleen and stomach.
To have the effect of nourishing the stomach, nourishing yin, strengthening the spleen, and replenishing qi, the lotus root must be cooked. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that raw lotus root can resolve stasis, cool the blood, clear heat and irritability, and stop vomiting and thirst. Postpartum women are advised to avoid raw and cold foods, but lotus root is an exception because of its excellent ability to resolve stasis. However, raw lotus root is cold in nature and its sweet, cool properties can be irritating to the stomach and intestines of the elderly, whose digestive systems are more fragile. When cooked, the nature of the lotus root changes from cool to warm. Although it loses its properties of resolving stasis and clearing heat, it becomes beneficial to the spleen and stomach, with effects of nourishing the stomach and yin, enriching the blood, and stopping diarrhea.
In particular, when processed into lotus root powder, it becomes a rare and nutritious supplement for the elderly. It is not only rich in nutrition but also easy to digest, with the effects of nourishing blood and stopping bleeding, regulating the middle jiao (the middle part of the body's torso, including the spleen and stomach), and stimulating the appetite. Elderly friends with poor spleen and stomach function might as well take the opportunity to eat more fresh autumn lotus root and make their own lotus root powder at home.
The preparation method is very simple: First, slice the lotus root, including the peel. To speed up the drying process, you can steam it for 5 minutes first. Then, lay the lotus root slices flat on a clean piece of gauze to dry in the sun. Once they are completely dry, place them in a mortar and pound them into powder.
For breakfast, prepare a small bowl of crystal-clear lotus root powder with boiling water. The subtle fragrance of lotus root is especially helpful for stimulating the elderly person's appetite. From a nutritional perspective, it not only ensures an adequate intake of carbohydrates but also provides some vitamin C and dietary fiber. If you eat congee every morning, you might as well switch things up and have some lotus root powder instead. For those who prefer a sweet taste, you can add a little honey, brown sugar, or osmanthus. Having lotus root powder as an afternoon snack is also a good choice.
There are also tips for selecting lotus root. When buying, choose ones with a yellowish surface and a sturdy body. The cut end should have a fresh, fragrant smell. Lotus roots treated with industrial acid will look very white and have a sour smell. Pay attention to ensure they are free from damage, rot, rust spots, broken sections, shrinkage, and discoloration. Different parts of the lotus root can be prepared and eaten in different ways. For example, the tip part is thinner and can be eaten as a cold salad. The middle section is suitable for stir-frying, while the older parts are generally processed into lotus root powder, used in sweet dishes, or deep-fried.