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 seeds include: 莲子, 藕实, 水芝丹, 莲实, 莲蓬子, 莲肉.
1.2 How does lotus seed taste?
Raw lotus seeds with pith removed has a nutty texture with a flavor that is mildly sweet and bitter.
This is what lotus seeds look like. (Image source: taobao.com)
1.3 How is lotus seed used in traditional Chinese medicine?
The dried lotus seed is considered to be sweet, astringent, neutral and nontoxic in nature and to be associated with the heart, spleen and kidney meridians. It is used as spleen tonic, anti-diarrheal and sedative in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as gonorrhea.
2. Uses, Health Benefits of Lotus Seeds & Medical Formulas
2.1 Prevent Kidney Stones
A kidney stone is a solid, pebble-like piece of material that can develop in one or both of kidneys when high levels of certain minerals are present in the urine. Urinary stone prevalence is estimated at 3% in all individuals, and it affects up to 12% of the population during their lifetime. Statistics show that the rate of people who develop kidney stones is increasing in the U.S. and the reasons for the growth are still unknown (onhealth.com 2016). Studies showed that higher potassium intake can help lower the risk for getting kidney stones, and lotus seeds are an excellent food source of potassium.
2.2 Build And Maintain Healthy Bones
Lotus seeds contain manganese, a trace mineral in our body that is found mostly in our bones, the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. In the 1930s, researchers discovered that our bodies require small amounts of dietary manganese each day. Since then, it has been determined that each adult has about 15-20 mg of manganese stored in his or her body (whfoods.com 2011). A research concluded that taking a combination of calcium, zinc, copper, and manganese help lessen spinal bone loss in a group of post menopausal women. Manganese also helps absorb vital vitamins like vitamin B and E and other minerals like magnesium.
2.3 Anti-Inflammation
Lotus seeds contain kaempferol, a natural flavonol, a type of flavonoid, found in a variety of plants and plant-derived foods. Kaempferol possess potent anti-inflammatory properties via its inhibition of aldosterone signaling and aldosterone-induced gene expression. Preventing and treating chronic inflammation is important as studies have long-established the link between chronic inflammation and various diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and Parkinson’s disease.
2.4 Chronic Diarrhea
[CTM Formula] Old lotus seeds (pits removed) are powdered and taken orally with old rice soup to treat chronic diarrhea (loose stools that last for at least four weeks).
2.5 Treating Gonorrhea
[CTM Formula] Powdered lotus seeds, bitter cardamon and fossil fragments are taken orally with rice soup to tonify the kidney and treat gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted disease that can infect both men and women).
2.6 Gynecological Diseases and Disorders
[CTM Formula] Medicated soup with ginkgos, lotus seeds, sticky rice, black pepper and a silkie chicken is taken orally to treat red and white vaginal discharge.
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.