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, 1840

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Botanical 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

2. Strengthens the Kidneys, Secures the Essence:
-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

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

DOSE:
6–15 grams

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. Chronic Leukorrhea, Lotus Seed with Eurylaes Qian Shi, Rose Hip (Jin Ying Zi), Ginkgo Seed (Bai Guo)
4. Calm the Mind and Spirit:
i. Mild cases of Insomnia, Palpitations, Irritability, Lotus Seed with Lilium Bai He, Coix Yi Yi Ren
ii. Irritability, Palpitations, Insomnia, Lotus Seed with Zizyphus seed Suan Zao Ren, Polygala Yuan Zhi
iii. Insomnia, Palpitations, Irritability from Heart Fire, Lotus Seed with Coptis Huang Lian, Codonopsis Dang Shen
iv. Lotus seed with Centella, Convolvulus Shakhapushpi
5. Reproductive tonic:
i. Lotus Seed with Withania, Mucuna, Asparagus root (Ayurveda)

Cautions:
1. Not for abdominal distention or Constipation

Main Preparations used: