A popular soup many enjoy is silver ear fungus and lotus seed soup. While silver ear fungus is widely known for its benefits, what advantages does lotus seed offer? Specifically, what benefits does lotus seed provide for women? Today, we'll explore the benefits of lotus seed for women and include a lotus seed recipe in this article.
Lotus seed, a traditional Chinese medicine ingredient, is the dried mature seed of the lotus plant (Nelumbonucifera Gaertn.) from the Nymphaeaceae family.They are distributed across provinces throughout northern and southern China. They possess the effects of tonifying the spleen and stopping diarrhea, arresting leukorrhea, benefiting the kidneys and astringing essence, nourishing the heart, and calming the spirit. They are commonly used for spleen deficiency diarrhea, leukorrhea, seminal emission, and palpitations with insomnia.
Pharmacological Action
Lotus Seed Pharmacology
Lotus Seed
【Effects】: Tonifies the spleen to stop diarrhea, stops leukorrhea, benefits the kidneys to secure essence, nourishes the heart and calms the spirit. 【Indications】: For spleen deficiency diarrhea, leukorrhea, seminal emission, palpitations, and insomnia. Lotus Seed Heart Pharmacology 【Effects】: Clears heart fire, communicates between heart and kidneys.【Indications】: Treats thirst with restlessness, hemoptysis, heart-heat with turbid urine, insomnia, etc.
【Contraindications】: Use with caution in cases of loose stools.
【Storage】: Keep in a dry place, protect from pests.
【Preparation】: Briefly soak until thoroughly moistened, split open, remove seed core, then dry.
【Suitable for】: General population.
Contraindications/Suitable for
Avoid if experiencing abdominal distension or constipation.
Nutritional Value
【Cancer Prevention & Anticancer Effects】: Lotus seeds excel at nourishing deficiencies in the five viscera, promoting the smooth flow of qi and blood throughout the twelve meridians, thereby preventing stagnation. The lotus seed alkaloid oxymatrine inhibits nasopharyngeal carcinoma. These properties collectively contribute to lotus seeds' nutritional and health-protective functions against cancer.【Blood Pressure Reduction】: The non-crystalline alkaloid N-9 in lotus seeds lowers blood pressure;
【Cardiac Strengthening & Calming】: Alkaloids in lotus seed hearts significantly strengthen the heart, while lotus heart alkaloids exhibit potent anti-calcium and anti-arrhythmia effects;
【Nourishing, Tonifying, and Aiding Semen Retention】: The raffinose in lotus seeds makes them a nourishing tonic suitable for all ages. They are particularly valued as a nutritional supplement for those recovering from prolonged illness, postpartum women, or the elderly with physical weakness. Lotus alkaloids help regulate sexual desire. For young men experiencing frequent dreams, nocturnal emissions, or premature ejaculation, consuming lotus seeds effectively aids semen retention.【Clears Mind, Fades Freckles】: Lotus seeds with their inner core can clear mental heat and reduce freckles, but should not be boiled for extended periods.
Benefits of Lotus Seeds for Women
1. Lowers Blood Pressure.
The non-crystalline alkaloid N-9 in lotus seeds has blood pressure-lowering effects.
2. Clears Mind, Fades Freckles.
Lotus seeds with their inner core can clear heart fire and remove freckles, but should not be boiled for too long.
3. Strengthen the heart and calm the mind.
The alkaloids in lotus seed cores have significant cardiotonic effects, while lotus core alkaloids exhibit strong anti-calcium and anti-arrhythmia properties.
4. Promote metabolism.
Lotus seeds rank highest among all plant and animal foods in potassium content. Potassium plays a vital role in maintaining muscle excitability, regulating heartbeat, and supporting various metabolic processes.
5. Treating anemia and reducing fatigue.
Lotus seeds are also exceptionally rich in iron. Iron is a key component of hemoglobin, myoglobin, and cytochromes, making it effective in treating anemia and alleviating fatigue.Recommended Reading: Benefits of Sunflower Seeds for Women | Nutritional Value of Sunflower Seeds
6. Promotes Metabolism and Maintains Acid-Base Balance.
Lotus seeds contain substantial phosphorus, a key component of teeth and bones. It is also a primary element in nucleoproteins and numerous enzymes, aiding the body in metabolizing proteins, fats, and carbohydrates while maintaining acid-base equilibrium.
7. Cancer Prevention and Suppression.
Lotus seeds excel at replenishing deficiencies in the five vital organs and promoting the smooth flow of qi and blood throughout the twelve meridians, preventing stagnation. The oxymatrine alkaloid in lotus seeds inhibits nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Collectively, these properties form the seeds' nutritional and health-protective functions against cancer.
8. Nourishing Deficiency, Preventing Semen Leakage.
The raffinose in lotus seeds makes them a nourishing tonic suitable for all ages. They are especially valued as a nutritious staple for those recovering from prolonged illness, postpartum women, or the elderly with physical weakness. Lotus alkaloids help regulate sexual desire. For young men experiencing frequent dreams, nocturnal emissions, or premature ejaculation, consuming lotus seeds provides effective relief.
Classic Medicinal Dishes
1. Lotus Seed Cake: 200g lotus seed flesh, 200g glutinous rice (or regular rice), stir-fried until fragrant; 100g poria (peeled). Grind all into fine powder. Mix with appropriate sugar until uniform, add water to form a paste. Steam until cooked, cool, press flat, and cut into pieces.
Adapted from Shicai Sanshu. Poria, a spleen-tonifying and dampness-draining herb, synergizes with lotus seed flesh and glutinous rice in this steamed cake to significantly enhance spleen and stomach function. Used for spleen-stomach deficiency, poor digestion, and loose stools.
2. Spleen-Stomach Tonifying Powder: Lotus seed pulp, euryale seed, mung beans, coix seed, Chinese yam, white atractylodes, and poria each 120g; ginseng 15g (or codonopsis 60g). Stir-fry and grind into powder. Add sugar to taste when using. Take 15–30g each time, dissolved in warm water.
Originating from Authentic Prescriptions of the Pulse. This formula is derived from the ancient Four Gentlemen Decoction by removing licorice and adding spleen-tonifying herbs. Its mild nature nourishes and strengthens the spleen and stomach. Indicated for spleen deficiency with poor appetite, diarrhea, emaciation in children with malnutrition, and lung-spleen deficiency in tuberculosis patients presenting cough and shortness of breath.
3. Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb, and Ophiopogon Decoction: 15g lotus seeds (with inner core), 30g lily bulbs, 12g ophiopogon. Decoct in water for oral administration.
This formula uses lotus seeds with inner core to clear heart heat and calm the spirit. Lily bulbs and ophiopogon also possess heart-clearing and spirit-calming effects. Indicated for residual fever after illness, heart yin deficiency, restlessness with dry mouth, palpitations, and insomnia.
4. Lotus Seed Porridge: Soak 20g lotus seeds until plump. Scrub off outer layer with a brush, remove seeds, rinse thoroughly, then simmer in water until tender. Reserve.Add 100g of washed japonica rice to the pot with water and cook into a thin porridge. Once cooked, stir in the lotus seeds. After cooking, add rock sugar or white sugar and simmer briefly before serving.
5. Rock Sugar Lotus Seeds: Soak lotus seeds until hydrated, add rock sugar, steam in a bamboo steamer, then simmer until thickened before eating.
6. Lotus Seed and Red Date Soup: Peel and dice two large sections of lotus root, rinse and drain. Soak 4 ounces red dates and 2 ounces lotus seeds in water until softened, then drain. Simmer lotus root, red dates, lotus seeds, and rock sugar in water for 1.5 hours until ingredients are tender. This nourishing dish replenishes blood and moisturizes skin, ideal as a tonic for chronic fatigue and mental exhaustion.
7. Red Date, Silver Ear Fungus, and Lotus Seed Soup: 100g red dates, 50g white wood ear fungus, 100g lotus seeds, and brown sugar to taste. Wash the red dates, white wood ear fungus, and lotus seeds, then soak in water. Add an appropriate amount of water to a pot, place all three ingredients inside, and cook until tender. Add sugar to taste.
8. Silver Ear Mushroom and Lotus Seed Pudding: 100g lotus seeds, 15g dried silver ear mushrooms, 120g fresh lily bulbs, 2 bananas, 5g goji berries, 100g rock sugar. Soak dried silver ear mushrooms for 2 hours, remove tough stems and impurities, tear into small pieces. Steam with 4 cups water for 30 minutes, then set aside.Separate and clean fresh lily bulbs, removing tough stems. Wash bananas, peel, and slice into 0.3cm pieces. Place all ingredients in a double boiler, add seasonings, and steam for 30 minutes.
9. Honey-Glazed Red Lotus Seeds: Simmer lotus seeds and red dates over low heat for 1 hour. Add white sugar and pork lard, then braise over low heat until liquid evaporates.Combine with silver ear fungus to make lotus seed and silver ear fungus soup; add ginseng and rock sugar, then steam over water for lotus seed and ginseng soup; add longan, red dates, and glutinous rice to simmer into lotus seed and longan soup.
10. Papaya Lotus Seed Lily Soup: Ingredients include papaya, lotus seeds, lily bulbs, red dates, white fungus, milk, and rock sugar. Wash and dice all ingredients. Soak lotus seeds until softened, then steam until tender. Soak white fungus until softened and tear into small pieces. Boil all ingredients in water for 30 minutes. Add milk and papaya, then finally add lily bulbs. Serve in a soup bowl garnished with mint leaves.
11. Lily Bulb and Lotus Seed Stewed Lean Meat: Ingredients: 30g lotus seeds, 30g lily bulbs, 200g lean pork. Method: Soak lotus seeds and lily bulbs, then stew with washed lean pork until tender. This stew clears lung dryness and relieves coughs. Ideal for chronic bronchitis prevention, health maintenance, and recovery.
12. Stewed Lotus Seeds, Job's Tears, and Oyster Meat
Ingredients: 20g lotus seeds, 20g Job's tears, 100g oyster meat
Method:
1. Place 20g lotus seeds (pits removed), 20g Job's tears,oyster meat into a pot with an appropriate amount of water.
2. Add a small amount of shredded ginger, oil, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 50 minutes.
3. Consume directly after cooking.
This remedy addresses emaciation, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, pallor, lower back soreness, leg weakness, dizziness, pale tongue with little coating, and a deep, fine pulse.
13. Lotus Seed Cake:
Roast 200g lotus seed flesh and 200g glutinous rice (or regular rice) until fragrant; peel and grind 100g poria.Grind into fine powder. Add appropriate amount of white sugar and mix thoroughly. Add water to form a paste. Steam until cooked. After cooling, press flat and cut into pieces. It has the function of tonifying the spleen and benefiting the stomach. Used for spleen and stomach deficiency, poor digestion, loose stools, etc.
14. Lotus Seed Heart Tea:
Use an appropriate amount to brew tea, which can clear the eyes. Additionally, it has effects of clearing heat, consolidating essence, and calming the mind, treating symptoms like high fever with restlessness, mental confusion, and nocturnal emissions. It also lowers blood pressure and can be used for hypertension with symptoms of irritability and heat.