1. Description
1.1 What is a lotus?
The lotus (botanical name: Nelumbo nucifera, also known as Indian lotus, sacred lotus, bean of India, Egyptian bean; Chinese Pinyin: Lian, Simplified Chinese: 莲), is a species of perennial, aquatic, flowering, fruit-bearing, herbaceous plant in genus Nelumbo in the sacred lotus family, Nelumbonaceae. The flowers are white, pink, deep red, gold or yellow, lavender (usually a mixture of them), 10 – 20 cm in diameter, with varied numbers of petals. The lotus flowers, seeds, young leaves as well as it rhizomes (roots) can all be used for food and medicine. The plant can grow up to 150 cm tall. Native to tropical Asia and extensively cultivated in Asia, habitats of lotus include muddy waters, ponds, swamps, water gardens and lakes. Characteristics of lotus include intolerance for shade and wind, great versatility and deep root and rhizomes.
Some simplified Chinese names for lotus seed pods include: 莲蓬, 莲房.
1.2 How is lotus seed pod used in traditional Chinese medicine?
The lotus seed pot is considered to be bitter, astringent, warm and nontoxic in nature and to be associated with the liver meridians. It is used as stasis-eliminating drug and hemostatic in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as bleeding disorder with heavy bleeding during periods.
This is what lotus seed pods look like. (Image source: 365jia.cn)
2. Uses, Health Benefits of Lotus Seed Pots & Medical Formulas
2.1 Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
[CTM Formula] Powdered lotus seed pots and ash of spikes of nepeta cataria are taken orally with rice soup to treat bleeding disorder with heavy bleeding during periods.
2.2 Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH)
[CTM Formula] Ash of lotus seed pots and root of nutgrass are powdered and taken orally with rice soup to treat postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) (the loss of more than 500 ml or 1,000 ml of blood within the first 24 hours following childbirth).
2.3 Vaginal Bleeding During Pregnancy
[CTM Formula] Pills made with ash of lotus seed pots and rice paste are taken orally with soup or wine to stop vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.
2.4 Bloody Stranguria
[CTM Formula] Ash of lotus seed pots mixed with musk are taken orally with rice soup to treat bloody stranguria.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.