Lotus root is the fat root of a plant Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.
Article Content:
- .Basic Botanical Info of Lotus.
- .Lotus Physical Characteristics and Description.
- .Phytochemicals and Constituents of Lotus.
- .Lotus Preparation and Edible Uses.
- .Medicinal Uses of Lotus Seed and Other Lotus Plant Parts.
- .Lotus Use in Magic and Personal Growth.
- .Research Update:Lotus.
- .Traditional Formulas with Lotus Seeds.
- .Lotus Origin and Tale.
- .Research Update:Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn,Lotus root,Lotus leaf.
Traditional Formulas with Lotus Seeds.
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.
Reference Materials:
'On Properties of Herbs' : "This herb is blended into juice for the treatment of incessant hematemesis (vomiting of blood)."
'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."
Reference:
1.Lotus root is the fat root of a plant Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.



