Nelumbo Semen, Lotus Seed, Lian Zi 莲子
Lian Zi (TCM)
Descourtilz, M.E., Flore médicale des Antilles, vol. 8 (1829)
Illustrations of Indian Botany, Wight, 1840Botanical name:
Nelumbo nucifera
Parts used:
Seed
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral (slightly Cool), dry. Sweet
Classification:
R. Astringents
Uses:
1. Strengthens the Spleen, Stops Diarrhea:
-Chronic Diarrhea with lethargy, loss of appetite
-aids development, helps in malabsorption
-strengthens and astringes
-“reinforces the qi and blood in the 12 Channels” (Meng Xian)
2. Strengthens the Kidneys, Secures the Essence:
-Lower back pain and weakness
-Spermatorrhea, Nocturnal Emission, Premature Ejaculation
-used as a reproductive tonic
-Uterine Bleeding, Leukorrhea
-in India the Seeds are regarded as strengthening the Uterus, promoting Fertility and nourishing the Fetus
-“Long-term use makes one feel happy and vigorous and able to enjoy a long life” (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
3. Nourishes the Heart, Calms the Spirit:
-Palpitations with anxiety
-Irritability, Insomnia, Emotional instability
-in Ayurveda they are regarded as aiding development of speech and expression
-regarded as beneficial for the Heart Chakra in Ayurveda
–“keeps one in good mental condition” (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
-“A heavy dose of the drug keeps one in high spirits.” (Da Ming)
Dose:
Decoction: 6–15 grams
Substitute:
1. Lotus Rhizome “has slightly different functions than lotus seed.” (Li Shi Zhen)
2. Lotus and Water Lily are very similar in use. In general the corresponding part of each plant can be used as a substitute.
Main Combinations:
1. Chronic Diarrhea:
i. from Spleen deficiency, Lotus Seed with Dioscorea Shan Yao, Poris Fu Ling, Atractylodes Bai Zhu
ii. Lotus Seed with Nutmeg, Chebulic Myrobalan, Emblic Myrobalan
2. Chronic Impotence, Spermatorrhea, Lotus Seed with Eurylaes Qian Shi, Astragalus Semen Sha Yuan Zi.
3. Premature Ejaculation, Lotus Seed with Dodder, seed (Tu Si Zi), Astragalus Semen Sha Yuan Zi.
4. Chronic Leukorrhea, Lotus Seed with Eurylaes Qian Shi, Rose Hip (Jin Ying Zi), Ginkgo Seed (Bai Guo)
5. Calm the Mind and Spirit:
i. to feel happy and vigorous, beat the dru and make a Congee with Rice.
ii. Mild cases of Insomnia, Palpitations, Irritability, Lotus Seed with Lilium Bai He, Coix Yi Yi Ren
iii. Irritability, Palpitations, Insomnia, Lotus Seed with Zizyphus seed Suan Zao Ren, Polygala Yuan Zhi
iv. Insomnia, Palpitations, Irritability from Heart Fire, Lotus Seed with Coptis Huang Lian, Codonopsis Dang Shen
v. Lotus seed with Centella, Convolvulus Shakhapushpi
6. Reproductive tonic:
i. Lotus Seed with Withania, Mucuna, Asparagus root (Ayurveda)
Major Formulas:
Dao Chi Qing Xin Tang
Fu Tu Dan
Jin Suo Gu Jing Wan
Qing Gong Tang
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Cautions:
1. Not for abdominal distention or Constipation