Description
Common medicinal herb, a medicinal and edible ingredient. (i.e. not for daily, tonic ingestion)
White Lotus Seed (Lian zi) is the dried seeds from the sacred lotus plant (aka water lily). It is a medicinal herb that has a drying and tissue-tightening effect to the mucosa of the digestive tract and is used when poor digestion has led to to water accumulation in the intestines producing chronic, watery loose stool/diarrhea. This astringent property extends to tissue in the urinary and reproductive tracts to address spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, and profuse, clear, or white vaginal discharge.
Lotus Seed (Lián Zǐ) is a classic “medicinal and edible” ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine, often called the “fruit of the Spleen.” This is a medicinal herb (i.e. not for daily, tonic ingestion) to be used when there is excess dampness/water retention to the point of edema, watery loose stools, or other discharges related to excess dampness. It is usually used in formula, combined with other herbs
Good for :
✔ edema
✔ other discharges from the reproductive
Key benefits :
– tightens tissues in the reproductive and urinary tracts
– helps stop watery, “cool” diarrhea
– helps stop other types of “leakage”
Traditional Chinese medicine benefits :
· Tonifies the Spleen and stops diarrhoea – helps with poor appetite, chronic diarrhoea, and loose stools due to Spleen deficiency.
· Tonifies the Kidney and consolidates jing – Benefits the Kidneys and astringes essence – supports conditions like nocturnal emission, frequent urination, and excessive vaginal discharge.
· Nourishes the Heart and calms the Shen (spirit) – used for palpitations, insomnia, excessive dreaming, and restlessness.
Modern studies suggest it may help lower blood sugar, provide antioxidant effects, and regulate gastrointestinal function.
Common Culinary Uses :
Dried lotus seeds are quite hard and should be soaked in warm water until soft before cooking. Here are some popular ways to enjoy them:
· Porridge / Congee or Soups – a classic home remedy, especially suitable for those with weak digestion.
· Desserts / Sweet soups – e.g., red date and lily bulb lotus seed soup, or tremella (silver ear) and lily bulb soup.
· Steaming – steam the soaked seeds until tender and soft for a chewy, starchy texture.
· Ground into powder – can be used in pastries (like lotus seed paste) or mixed with hot water to make a paste.
Precautions :
· Who should avoid : Not recommended for those with dry stools / constipation. Young children with weak digestion and pregnant women should consume with caution.
· Variety choice : Red-skinned lotus seeds are more medicinal; white-skinned (dehulled) seeds have a better taste and are more suitable for daily cooking.
· About the plumule (heart) : The green germ in the centre of the seed is called Lotus Plumule (Lián Zǐ Xīn). It is bitter and cold in nature, and is used to clear Heart fire and calm the mind – good for those with restlessness and insomnia. However, people with Spleen-Stomach deficiency/cold should remove the plumule before eating.
Recommendation dosage : For daily dietary use, 6–15 grams is typical; decocted in water (simmer for 30-60 minutes in 2-3 cups of water).
Recipes :
· Tea / Decoction – decocted in water (simmer for 30-60 minutes in 2-3 cups of water).
