Lotus seeds - lian zi

Lotus seeds are the dried mature seeds of the lotus plant of the Nymphaeaceae family. They have both medicinal and edible value and a wide range of health benefits. The following is a summary of its core information:

1. Botanical properties
Classification: Lotus seeds are the mature seeds of the perennial aquatic herbaceous lotus of the Nymphaeaceae family, also known as lotus seeds, lotus rice, and lotus meat.
Morphological characteristics: Oval or spherical, with a light yellow-brown to reddish-brown surface, hard texture, thin seed coat, thick cotyledons, and a green embryo (lotus heart) in the center.
2. Medicinal effects and functions
Calming and helping sleep
Contains vitamins and trace elements, can regulate the nervous system, relieve palpitations and insomnia, and is suitable for insomnia of the heart-kidney disharmony type.
Spleen-strengthening and diarrhea-stopping
Sweet and astringent in nature, can nourish the spleen and stop diarrhea, improve spleen deficiency diarrhea and loss of appetite.
Kidney-strengthening and sperm-solidifying
The astringent effect is significant, which can relieve the symptoms of spermatorrhea, spermatorrhea and leucorrhea.
Blood pressure reduction and cardiovascular protection
Contains lianxinine, alkaloids and potassium, which can dilate blood vessels, regulate heart rate, and assist in lowering blood pressure.
Antioxidant and anti-cancer
Contains lianxinine, huangxinshuningine and other ingredients, which inhibit the formation of ammonium nitrite and have a potential inhibitory effect on nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
3. Nutritional value
Main ingredients: protein, carbohydrates, B vitamins, vitamin E, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and other minerals.
Applicable population: middle-aged and elderly people with physical weakness, postoperative recovery, and patients with insomnia and chronic diarrhea.
4. Application method
Medicinal use: It can be mixed into decoctions or ground into powder to treat spleen deficiency, insomnia and other symptoms.
Diet therapy: Cook porridge (such as lotus seed lily porridge) or stew soup (such as Tremella lotus seed soup).
Direct consumption of fresh or dried lotus seeds requires attention to remove the core to reduce the coldness.
5. Precautions
Contraindications: People with fullness and distension, dry stools should not use it; people with spleen and stomach deficiency should remove the lotus seeds and eat it.
Lotus seed heart: cold in nature, can clear the heart fire, suitable for people with strong heart fire, but the dosage should be controlled to avoid body cold.
6. Special ingredients - lotus seed heart
Effects: Clear the heart and calm the mind, connect the heart and kidney, mainly treat fever, coma, blood heat, vomiting blood and insomnia.
Usage: Can be used to make tea or as medicine, suitable for mild insomnia and symptoms of heart-kidney disharmony.