Lotus seed is used primarily as an astringent in Kidney and Spleen tonic formulations. It is in own right a good mild tonic. It is useful for preventing the leakage of essence, and thus is commonly used to prevent or treat premature ejaculation, spermatorrhea, and is also used in women's formulas to treat leucorrhagia.
Orally, lotus seed is used for digestive disorders and diarrhea.
Lian Zi
Other Common Names:Lotus Seed,Lotus Seed, Lian Zi. Nelumbo nucifera.
Pharmaceutical Latin:Semen Nelumbinis
Latin: Semen Nelumbinis
Pinyin:Lian Zi
Treasures:Jing and Qi
Atmospheric Energy:Neutral
Organ Meridian Systems:Kidney, Spleen and Heart
Family: Nymphaeaceae.
Properties: Sweet and astringent in flavor, mild in nature, it is related to the spleen, kidney and heart channels.
Caution: See separate listing for Lotus Flower
Lotus seed is used primarily as an astringent in Kidney and Spleen tonic formulations. It is in own right a good mild tonic. It is useful for preventing the leakage of essence, and thus is commonly used to prevent or treat premature ejaculation, spermatorrhea, and is also used in women's formulas to treat leucorrhagia. For these purposes, it is often combined with other astringent herbs such as Dragon Bone, Cuscuta, Euryale, Cuscuta, Cnidium, Astragalus seed, etc.
It is also commonly used in formulas designed to firm up the stool in individuals with weak Spleen functions. It is usually combined with herbs such as White Atractylodes and Poria for this purpose.
Lotus seed has Shen stabilizing properties. It is therefore combined with other Shen stabilizers to calm the mind and to help overcome emotions such as chronic worry, fear, anger, etc. It is usually combined with Dragon Bone, Polygonum stem, Albizzia bark or flower, Biota, etc. for this purpose.
Varieties and Grading:Select fresh, clean lotus seed.
Origin of Lotus Seed:
This herb is the germinating bud of ripe seed of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., belonging to the lotus-lily family (Nelumbonaceae) of the water-lily order (Nymphaeales). This species is found in tropical and subtropical Middle East and Asia, from Egypt eastwards to Iran, India, China,and Australia.
The other speices of the order is the American lotus, or water chinquapin (N. lu tea, or N. pentapetala), found in the eastern United States and southward to Colombia.
There are a number of freshwater plants called water lily that belong to the order Nymphaeaceae, comprising eight genera native to the temperate and tropical parts of the world. All members of the order are perennial except for the genus Euryale, an annual or short-lived perennial found only in Asia.
The family Nelumbonaceae is characterized by circular, centrally stalked, slightly hairy leaves up to about 60 cm across, with the margins turned up, forming a funnel- or saucer-shaped depression. The leaves extend, in the Asian species, as much as 2 m above the water instead of floating on it.
The large, attractive flowers also stand high above the water on strong, leafless stalks. They may be up to 25 cm across and have a number of petals, which close at night. The flowers of the Nelumbo nucifera, which stand as much as 1.8 m above the water, are pink or rose-coloured and fragrant. It is in flower from July to August. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). The American lotus has pale yellow flowers that rise about 60 cm above the water.
Many varieties of the sacred lotus exist in cultivation, including dwarf forms and colour varieties ranging from white to red. It cannot grow in the shade but can grow in water. The plant's many nutlike fruits are produced in the flat upper surface of a spongy receptacle or expanded, fleshy, capsulelike structure, which is wider at the upper end than at the base.
The whole structure dries at maturity, breaks off, and floats about, releasing the seeds, actually the true fruits, through numerous holes in the flat surface. The seeds sink to the bottom and establish new plants. The dried receptacles are used by florists in dried arrangements.
The whole plant of both species is edible. The rhizomes of Nelumbo nucifera are eaten in Asia either boiled or preserved in sugar and are the source of the starch known as lotus meal. The boiled young leaves are eaten as a vegetable. Even the stamens are used in Southeast Asia for flavouring tea. The American lotus is similarly edible, especially the large rhizomes, which were once a source of starchy food for the American Indians.
The plants are particularly beneficial to wildlife. Beaver, for instance, eat the rootstocks, and fish obtain shade and shelter among the underwater portions of the plants.
The seeds of the Oriental lotus have been ascribed remarkable powers of longevity and, under ideal conditions, may survive many years. Seeds recovered from an ancient peat bog in Manchuria have been shown by radioactive carbon dating to be some 1,000 years old, yet were capable of germinating.
The green plumule wraped in the core of the seed is called Plumula Nelumbinis.
In China, lotus seed is produced in ponds and lakes of Hunan, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang provinces and other parts of southen China. It is collected in August and September every year, dried in the sun after removing the seed skin and used unprepared.
What is lotus seed? What is it used for?
Lotus seeds come from the lotus plant, which is found throughout the Middle East and Asia. The typical lotus seed is small, round and white or off-white in appearance. In China, lotus plants are grown in the Hunan, Fujiang, Fiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. The seeds are usually collected in August and September, and are dried in the sun (after having the skins of the seed removed).
The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a fresh-water plant that grows in semitropical climates. It originated in India and was brought to other countries, ranging from Egypt to China, about 2,000 years ago. It is cultivated extensively in Southeast Asia (mostly in China), primarily for food, with much smaller amounts for herbal medicine. All parts of the plant are utilized, but the primary reason for its current widespread cultivation is to collect the rhizomes (sometimes referred to as roots) and seeds. The whole plant is harvested in late summer when the seeds have matured.
The rhizomes are a food used extensively in China, sold whole or in cut pieces, fresh, frozen, or canned. They are consumed as a vegetable, usually fried or cooked in soups.China is one of the primary users of the rhizomes, representing about 1% of all vegetables consumed there.
Lotus seeds (lianzi) are a major product of southern China, though production figures are not available. There is substantially less weight of the dried seeds per plant than the weight of the fresh rhizomes, so the total production quantities may be on the order of a few thousand tons. Additionally, lotus leaves are used as a flavoring and a wrapper for rice preparations in making dim sum; the plumules (large seed cases) are dried for use as decorations. Lotus stems are used in preparing salads and the dried flowers are used in cooked dishes, such as Mandarin Duck and Lotus Flowers; the fresh flowers are a common decoration. The bitter lotus embryos within the seeds, and the lotus stamens are primarily used as medicines rather than foods.
In traditional Chinese medicine, lotus seeds are considered sweet and neutral, and are associated with the Spleen, Kidney and Heart meridians. They contain asparagin, fats, proteins and some starches, and trace elements of calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron. They are taken to tonify the spleen, reinforce the kidneys and nourish the blood. Lotus seeds have astringent properties, and are consumed to help relieve the symptoms of diarrhea and improve appetite. Other conditions treated with lotus seeds include palpitations, insomnia and irritability. Among the herbs with which lotus seeds are used are ginseng, poria and dioscorea.
Nutritional Value of Lotus Seed:
Lotus seeds have been analyzed to determine their nutritional value. In 100 grams (yielding about 350 calories of energy), there are 63-68 grams carbohydrate (mostly starch), 17-18 grams of protein, and only 1.9-2.5 grams fat; the remainder is water (about 13%), and minerals (mainly sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus). As a protein source, lotus seeds are relatively good, with a one ounce serving (of dried seeds) providing 5 grams. The seeds are low in fiber and not a good source of vitamins. All the recipes given above are very low in fat, but high in carbohydrates.
Lotus Seed Applications:
1. This herb can nourish the heart and tranquilize the mind to treat palpitation and insomnia due to insufficiency of qi and blood:
In treating palpitation and insomnia due to breakdown of the normal physiological coordination between the heart and kidney, the herb can be used in combination with semen ziziphi spinosae, radix polygalae, poria, etc.
2. Invigorating the spleen to arrest diarrhea, leukorrhagia:
a) For weakness of the spleen and the stomach with anorexia (loss of appetite), loose stool and chronic diarrhea, it is often used with herbs for strengthening the spleen to arrest diarrhea, such as radix codonopsis pilosulae, rhizoma atractylodis macrocephalae, rhizoma dioscoreae, semen dolichoris, etc.
b) For insufficiency of the spleen and overabundance of dampness with leukorrhagia, it is used with herbs for eliminating dampness and invigorating the spleen to arrest leukorrhea, such as rhizoma atractylodis, rhizoma atractylodis macrocephalae, pericarpium citri reticulatae, rhizoma dioscoreae, etc.
3. Tonifying the kidney to control seminal emission:
For kidney-deficiency loose of seminal gate with sperrnatorrhea, dizziness, tinnitus, lassitude and amnesia, it is used with herbs for benefiting the kidney to astringe essence such as semen euryales, os draconis fossilia ossis mastodi, semen astragali cornplanati, fructus alpiniae oxyphyllae, etc.
Common Uses of Lotus Seed and other Lotus Plant Parts:
Lotus seeds are classified as astringents, being sweet and neutral, and benefiting the spleen, kidney, and heart. The sweet taste and nourishing qualities of the seed are responsible for the benefit to the spleen; this helps stop diarrhea associated with qi deficiency. The astringent quality helps prevent loss of kidney essence, so the seeds are used to treat weak sexual function in men and leukorrhea in women. The seed also has calming properties that alleviate restlessness, palpitations, and insomnia (more so in the whole seed with embryo). The medicinal dosage is 6-15 grams when it is combined with other herbs that have similar applications and double that when used as the main ingredient (the amount in the bean and lotus soup is about 7 grams per serving and in the cream lotus soup and sweet lotus desert about 37-40 grams per serving).
As an example of a therapy for diarrhea, one ounce of lotus seed is soaked in warm water for a few hours, then an adequate amount of rock sugar is added (to taste), and the mixture is simmered until the lotus seeds are well done. To this thick soup a cup of tea-made by steeping 5 g of black tea in boiling water-is added to yield the medicinal food. Traditional herb formulas for diarrhea are described in the next section.
Inside the seed there is a green embryo that is quite bitter; it is usually removed before the seed is provided as a food product. The embryo (lianzixin; heart of the lotus seed), is classified as bitter and cold and benefiting the heart; it dispels pathogenic heat from the heart to treat fidgets and spontaneous bleeding due to heat. The bitter components are isoquinoline alkaloids with sedative and antispasmodic effects. The alkaloids dilate blood vessels and thereby reduce blood pressure. Small amounts of the alkaloids are found in the seeds with embryo removed, and these may contribute an antispasmodic action for the intestines, helping to alleviate diarrhea.
The lotus leaves (heye) are also bitter, but neutral, and are said to benefit the stomach, spleen, and liver. They are used for treatment of summer heat syndrome and dampness accumulation; they also contain the lotus alkaloids with hypotensive effect. Lotus leaf has become popular for lowering blood lipids and treating fatty liver; it is commonly combined with crataegus, which promotes blood circulation and lowers blood fats, for that purpose. Lotus stems (hegeng) are used medicinally in the same way as the leaves for treatment of summer heat and are used also to treat tightness in the chest due to obstruction of qi circulation.
Lotus stamen (lianxu) is sweet, astringent, and neutral, benefiting the heart and kidney; it is mainly used for preventing discharge, such as treatment of leukorrhea or for frequent urination. It contains flavonoids and a small amount of alkaloids. Lotus nodes, the rhizome nodes (oujie), are astringent and neutral, benefiting the liver, lung, and stomach. They are mostly used to control bleeding. All the parts of the lotus have some antihemorrhagic effect, but the rhizome nodes are relied upon for that purpose specifically. The active component for reducing bleeding is not yet established, though quercetin and other flavonoids may play a role by improving capillary wall strength. By charcoaling the lotus plant parts, as is sometimes done, a hemostatic effect is assured, as charcoal itself has this effect (it promotes blood coagulation).
Primary Functions:
Astringent to control Jing, to reinforce the Kidney, to tonify the Spleen and firm up the stool, and to stabilize Shen and calm the mind
Reinforces the spleen and the kidney, astringes the lower-jiao. Thus, it serves to treat deficiency of the spleen and the kidney, and weak lower-jiao manifested as chronic diarrhea, spermatorrhea, leukorrhea.
How much lotus seed should I take?
Dosage and Administration:The typical dose of lotus seed is 6-15 grams of crushed or powdered seed, boiled in water for use as a decoction.
What forms of lotus seed are available?
Raw, unprepared lots seeds can be found at some herbal shops and Asian markets. Powdered and crushed lotus seeds can also be found at some specialty stores. Lotus seed is also available in capsule and tablet form.
What can happen if I take too much lotus seed? Are there any interactions I should be aware of? What precautions should I take?
Lotus seeds should not be taken by people who are constipated or have a distended abdomen. As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions with lotus seed. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking lotus seeds or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.
Contraindications: Not to be used by those who are experiencing constipation.
Primary Combinations,Combine with:
1. Ginseng, Poria and Dioscorea to tonify the Spleen and Kidney
2. Astragalus Seed, Euryale seed, Cornus, Dragon tooth, Oyster shell, Cnidium and Cuscuta to astringe the Kidneys and prevent premature ejaculation and to treat chronic vaginal discharge
Lotus Seed Soup:
The seeds are roasted or candied for eating directly; made into a paste for producing sauces and cake fillings (in mid-Autumn it is customary to serve "moon cakes" which have a filling made of lotus seeds and walnuts); and cooked in soups, usually with chicken or beans. An example of the latter is a soup presented at banquets for newlyweds, made with red beans and lotus seeds. Red beans (hongdou) represent strength, while lotus seeds (lianzi) symbolize the newlyweds being blessed with a child each year. The soup is also presented at the New Year's festival.
Red Bean and Lotus Seed Soup:
14-ounce package red beans (also known as adzuki beans)
1.5 ounces lotus seeds
1 piece dried tangerine skin, soaked in hot water 10 minutes until soft
3/4 cup brown sugar
In a large pot, combine 7 cups cold water, red beans, lotus seeds and tangerine skin. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat and simmer, covered, with pot lid slightly ajar, for 1 and 1/4 hours to 1 and 1/2 hours or until beans become tender. When beans are tender and open, and lotus seeds soften, add sugar; stir. Turn off the heat, pour into a heated tureen and serve. Makes 6 servings. Because the soup is sweet, it is also served as a desert. Another desert preparation is:
Cream Lotus Seed Soup:
8 ounces lotus seeds
8 ounce can of crushed pineapple
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup of sugar
8 maraschino cherries
Soak the lotus seeds in water overnight; combine drained lotus seeds and 3 cups water and bring to boil over medium heat for 15 minutes; remove from heat and drain. Smash the cooked lotus seeds in a blender and pour the resulting paste into a big bowl. Dissolve the cornstarch in four tablespoons of water, pour into a small cup and set aside. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil over medium heat in a non-stick pot, then add the sugar, salt, pineapple, and lotus paste. Return to a boil and mix in the cornstarch liquid. Stir constantly until smooth and thickened. Reduce the heat and simmer for one minute. Remove from heat, pour into a large bowl, place pieces of the cherries on the top and serve hot. Makes 6 servings.
Yet another example is this one with lotus and longan:
Sweet Lotus Seed Soup Dessert:
9 ounces lotus seeds
3.5 ounces longan
3 ounces rock sugar
1 tsp bicarbonate soda
Put dried lotus seeds into a basin. Put just enough cold water to cover the lotus seeds and add bicarbonate of soda. Set aside for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Drain, then wash thoroughly. Bring 5 cups of water to a boil. Add soaked lotus seeds and cook until the seeds turn soft. Add dried longan and rock sugar. Simmer until longan turns soft and sugar dissolves. Serve this dessert either hot or cold. In Asia, this mixture is flavored with pandan leaves
Reference Materials:
(two leaves are added during the last few minutes of simmering the longan and sugar).
On Properties of Herbs: "This herb is blended into juice for the treatment of incessant hematemesis."
The Compendium of Materia Medica: "Hematemesis, bloody sputum, strangury (slow and painful spasmodic discharge of urine drop by drop) complicated by hematuria (blood in urine), hematochezia, dysentery with bloody stools, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis."
Traditional Lotus Seed Formulations:
There are some well-known traditional formulas relying on lotus seeds as an important component. The best known is Sheng Ling Baizhu San (Ginseng and Atractylodes Combination), which is comprised of lotus seed, ginseng, hoelen, atractylodes, licorice, coix, dolichos, dioscorea, cardamon, atractylodes, and platycodon. The herbs tonify the spleen and aid circulation of moisture. The formula is indicated for weak digestion with chronic diarrhea. First described in the Hejiju Fang (1110 A.D.), Shen Ling Baizhu San has been made into a popular patent remedy.
Another lotus seed formula is Qipi Tang (Lotus and Citrus Combination), which is also a therapy for weak digestion leading to diarrhea. The formula contains lotus seed, ginseng, atractylodes, hoelen, licorice, alisma, dioscorea, citrus, and crataegus. All the ingredients are used to improve digestion and aid circulation of moisture to alleviate diarrhea. The formula Sishen Tang (Four Wonders Decoction; also called Dioscorea Combination) is made with lotus seed, dioscorea, hoelen, euryale (a seed from a relative of lotus), and coix. It is used for indigestion and diarrhea, and is considered a mild sedative.
A formula using lotus seed for a different application is Qingxin Lianzi Yin (Clear the Heart Lotus Seed Drink; or simply, Lotus Seed Combination), comprised of lotus seed, ginseng, astragalus, ophiopogon, plantago seed, lycium bark, hoelen, scute, and licorice. It is used for urinary disorders, including urinary stones, kidney inflammation, and urinary tract infection; it is also used for disorders of the reproductive organs, such as prostatitis and leukorrhea. The formula addresses a combination of dampness accumulation (ginseng, astragalus, lotus seed, hoelen, and licorice tonify the spleen to aid moisture circulation; plantago seed and hoelen drain excess moisture) and heat (lycium bark, scute, and ophiopogon clear heat, and are selected for persons of weaker constitution). The damp-heat syndrome leads to tenderness, swelling, and pain in the lower abdomen, urinary irregularity, and discharge of fluids.
Another astringent formula is Jinsuo Gujing Wan (Pill of Golden Lock; also called Lotus Stamen Formula), comprised of lotus stamen and lotus seed, dragon bone, oyster shell, tribulus, and euryale. All the ingredients have some astringent properties. Its basic function is to restrain (like a lock) any further loss of essence due to disease or aging. It is often used for urinary disorders, especially frequent urination and turbid urine. Jinsuo Gujing Wan, first described in Yifang Jijie (Analytic Collection of Medical Formulas, by Wang Ang, 1682), has been made into a popular patent remedy.
Modern Researches:
Lotus seeds and intersegmental parts (lotus nodes) are rich in asparagin, fat, protein, starch and tannin. The seed is sedative. It is used in the treatment of poor digestion, enteritis, chronic diarrhoea, insomnia, palpitations etc.
The plumule and radicle are used to treat thirst in high febrile disease, hypertension, insomnia and restlessness.
Lotus root is rich in starch, tannate protein, asparagine, pyrocatechol, d-gallic-catechin, neochlorogenic acid, leucocyanidin, leucodephinidin, peroxidase, vitamins B and C.
Lotus root is tonic. The root starch is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, etc., a paste is applied to ringworm and other skin ailments. It is also taken internally in the treatment of haemorrhages, excessive menstruation and nosebleeds.
Lotus stem contains alkaloid, resin and tannate.
Lotus leaves are rich in nuciferine, nornuciferine, roemerine and quarcetin. The leaf juice is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and is decocted with liquorice (Glycyrrhiza spp) for the treatment of sunstroke.
A decoction of the lotus flowers is used in the treatment of premature ejaculation. The flowers are recommended as a cardiac tonic. A decoction of the floral receptacle is used in the treatment of abdominal cramps, bloody discharges etc.
The flower stalk is haemostatic. It is used in treating bleeding gastric ulcers, excessive menstruation, post-partum haemorrhage.
The stamens are used in treating urinary frequency, premature ejaculation, haemotysis, epistacis and uterine bleeding.
A decoction of the fruit is used in the treatment of agitation, fever, heart complaints etc.
The plant has a folk history in the treatment of cancer, modern research has isolated certain compounds from the plant that show anticancer activity.
Scientific References:
1.Lotus Seed,Semen Nelumbus and traditional remedy!
Claims & Warning:
Claims: Information this web site presented is meant for Nutritional Benefit and as an educational starting point only, for use in maintenance and promotion good health in cooperation with a common knowledge base reference...Furthermore,it based solely on the traditional and historic use or legend of a given herb from the garden of Adonis. Although every effort has been made to ensure its accurate, please note that some info may be outdated by more recent scientific developments......
Pharmakon Warning: The order of knowledge is not the transparent order of forms and ideas,as one might be tempted retrospectively to interpret it; it is the antidote....(Dissemination,Plato's Pharmacy,II.The Ingredients:Phantasms,Festivals,and Paints;138cf. Jacques Derrida.).
And as it happens,the technique of imitation,along with the production of the simulacrum,has always been in Plato's eyes manifestly magical,thaumaturgical:......and the same things appear bent and straight to those who view them in water and out,or concave and convex,owing to similar errors of vision about colors, and there is obviously every confusion of this sort in our souls.And so scene painting (skiagraphia) in its exploitation of this weakness of four nature falls nothing short of witchcraft (thaumatopoia), and so do jugglery and many other such contrivances.(Republic X,602c-d;cf.also 607c).
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seminal trace...Lotus Seed Extract.Semen Nelumbus.CAS.NO:85085-51-4.Nelumbo Nucifera Extract.Lotus extract.Lotus root Extract.10:1.Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.lian zi....
Botanical Info and Identification:
Nutritional Value of Lotus Seed:
Scientific References:
Claims & Warning:
