Lotus root slices are a common food we often eat. Most people typically enjoy them cold-tossed in salads, or as the crispy, delicious braised or pickled slices sold at various duck delicatessens. In fact, lotus root slices offer many excellent health benefits, especially for women. Eating more lotus root is highly recommended. Below, we'll share the benefits of lotus root.
Lotus root, also known as lotus rhizome, belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family. Slightly sweet and crisp, it can be eaten raw or cooked. Its medicinal value is exceptionally high—every part, from roots and leaves to flowers and fruits, is treasured for nourishment and medicinal use.Processed into powder, lotus root aids digestion, stops diarrhea, stimulates appetite, clears heat, nourishes vitality, and prevents internal bleeding. It serves as an excellent liquid food and nourishing delicacy for women, children, the elderly, and those with weak constitutions or chronic illnesses. Native to India, lotus root was later introduced to China and is now cultivated in regions like Shandong, Henan, and Hebei.
Medicinal Value
Single-ingredient formulas featuring lotus root are widely used clinically with proven efficacy. For instance, fresh lotus root juice—half a cup taken morning and evening—treats tuberculosis hemorrhage, postpartum bleeding, and nosebleeds.Additionally, raw lotus root juice mixed with honey and taken in divided doses alleviates feverish thirst. Equal parts lotus root and pear juice, blended and consumed, treats phlegm-heat in the upper body with dry mouth and cough.
The joint sections of lotus roots, rich in asparagine and tannins, possess significant medicinal value.Lotus joints and lotus roots share similar properties and functions, but joints are particularly valued for their hemostatic effects.
Traditional Chinese medicine classifies lotus joints as neutral in nature with a sweet and astringent taste. Medicinally, they shorten bleeding duration, stop hemorrhage, and disperse stasis. They treat hemoptysis, hematemesis, hematuria, melena, and uterine bleeding.
For instance: Drink lotus node juice and instill 3-4 drops into the nostrils 2-3 times daily to treat epistaxis; decoct 40g of lotus nodes and take twice daily to treat traumatic anterior chamber hemorrhage; take 40g of lotus nodes (including roots), dry them, add 1g of borneol, grind into powder, and store in an airtight bottle.For nasal polyps, take a small amount of the powder and blow it into the affected nostril every 2 hours. For acute pharyngitis, remove the hairs from raw lotus node sections, wash them, and pickle them in salt for 2 weeks. When needed, rinse a section with boiling water and hold it in the mouth. Take one section at a time, twice daily.
Lotus root and lotus root sections possess mild medicinal properties, rarely causing adverse effects in clinical use, making them safe for consumption.
Therapeutic Analysis
1. Clears Heat and Cools Blood: Raw lotus root possesses a cold nature, clearing heat and cooling blood to treat febrile conditions. Its sweet, juicy properties are especially beneficial for thirst in feverish illnesses, nosebleeds, hemoptysis, and hematochezia.
2. Relieving constipation, stopping diarrhea, strengthening the spleen, and stimulating appetite: Lotus root contains mucoprotein and dietary fiber, which bind to bile salts in the body, as well as cholesterol and triglycerides from food, facilitating their excretion through feces and thereby reducing lipid absorption.Emitting a distinctive fresh fragrance, lotus root also contains tannins that help strengthen the spleen and stop diarrhea. It enhances appetite, promotes digestion, and aids digestion, benefiting those with poor appetite or indigestion.
3. Nourishing Blood and Building Tissue: Lotus root boasts high nutritional value, rich in trace elements like iron and calcium, as well as plant protein, vitamins, and starch. It significantly replenishes qi and blood while enhancing immunity. Traditional Chinese medicine thus describes it as "nourishing the middle energizer, calming the spirit, and boosting vitality."
4. Hemostasis and Blood Stasis Resolution: Lotus root contains abundant tannic acid, which constricts blood vessels and aids in stopping bleeding. It also cools the blood and disperses blood stasis. Traditional Chinese medicine considers it effective for hemostasis without causing blood stasis, making it an excellent dietary remedy for febrile diseases with blood disorders.
5. Relieving Constipation, Stopping Bleeding, Strengthening the Spleen, and Stimulating Appetite: When eating lotus root, one can detect its unique, refreshing fragrance. It also contains tannins, which help strengthen the spleen and stop diarrhea. Consuming lotus root enhances appetite, promotes digestion, and reduces indigestion. It is highly recommended for those with poor appetite.Lotus root also contains mucoprotein and dietary fiber, which bind to bile salts in the body and cholesterol in food, facilitating their excretion through feces and reducing lipid absorption.
Suitable for:
Generally suitable for all populations
1.Particularly beneficial for the elderly, children, women, and those with weak constitutions or chronic illnesses. Highly recommended for individuals with high fever, hemoptysis, hypertension, liver disease, poor appetite, iron-deficiency anemia, or malnutrition. 2. Lotus root has a cooling nature and should not be consumed too early by postpartum women. Its cold properties make it crisp and refreshing when eaten raw, but it may impair spleen and stomach function. Avoid raw consumption if you have weak digestive function or loose stools.
3. Lotus root decoction relieves qi stagnation and soothes the stomach when taken internally. Charred lotus root stops bleeding and disperses blood stasis, treating various hemorrhagic conditions. Generally, consuming lotus root 1–2 weeks postpartum can gradually alleviate discomfort.
Dietary Therapy Effects
Lotus root maintains skin radiance. Rich in vitamin C and minerals, it possesses medicinal properties, with its hemostatic effect being particularly well-known.Further evidence shows lotus root benefits heart health while promoting metabolism and preventing skin roughness. Combining lotus root with lotus seeds enhances efficacy—simply add 30g of lotus root to lotus seed porridge.
Raw Lotus Root
Sweet in taste, cold in nature; enters the Heart, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. It clears heat, generates fluids, cools the blood, disperses stasis, tonifies the spleen, stimulates appetite, and stops diarrhea. It is primarily used for feverish thirst, vomiting blood, epistaxis, and heat-induced urinary disorders.
Cooked Lotus Root
Warm in nature, sweet in taste; benefits the stomach and spleen, nourishes blood, promotes tissue regeneration, and stops diarrhea; primarily treats lung-heat cough, irritability with thirst, spleen deficiency diarrhea, poor appetite, and various blood disorders.
Benefits of eating lotus root in early autumn:
1. Clears heat and cools the blood
Raw lotus root has a cold nature. During the lingering heat of early autumn, it clears heat and cools the blood, making it suitable for treating heat-related conditions. Its sweet taste and high moisture content are especially beneficial for those with feverish thirst, epistaxis, hemoptysis, or hematochezia.
2. Relieving constipation and diarrhea
Emitting a unique fragrance and containing tannins, lotus root helps strengthen the spleen and alleviate diarrhea. It boosts appetite, aids digestion, and improves stomach health. This makes it beneficial for those with poor appetite due to autumn constipation.Beauty and Acne Reduction
Consuming lotus root nourishes yin, clears heat, moistens dryness, quenches thirst, and calms the mind. Peanuts contain vitamin E and zinc, which enhance memory, combat aging, delay cognitive decline, and moisturize the skin. The combination of lotus root and peanuts creates a delicious, nutrient-rich dish. Regular consumption helps clear heat, reduce acne, and hydrate the skin.Lotus root maintains facial radiance and promotes blood circulation for healthy skin regeneration. 4. Blood Sugar & Lipid Control, Gut Health Rich in dietary fiber yet low in calories, lotus root aids weight management, helps lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, promotes intestinal motility, and prevents constipation and hemorrhoids. Fresh lotus root with ginger juice can also treat intestinal inflammation.
5. Detoxifies and Beautifies
Lotus root is rich in starch, protein, vitamins B and C, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Its flesh is plump, tender, and snow-white, with a sweet, crisp texture. Traditional Chinese medicine considers lotus root a winter tonic—both edible and medicinal.Raw consumption cools the blood and disperses stasis, while cooked lotus root nourishes the heart and kidneys. It replenishes deficiencies in the five vital organs, strengthens bones and tendons, and nourishes yin and blood. Additionally, it promotes urination and bowel movements, aiding in the elimination of bodily waste and toxins. 6. Anti-Aging, Cancer Prevention, and Vitamin C Supplementation Though not particularly high in sugar, lotus root contains significant amounts of vitamin C, making it highly beneficial for individuals with liver disease, constipation, or diabetes.Lotus root is also rich in polyphenols, which can boost immunity, slow aging, and help prevent cancer. 7. Pain Relief, Stress Reduction, and Heart Protection Lotus root is rich in B vitamins (especially vitamin B6). Supplementing with B vitamins helps reduce irritability, relieve headaches, and alleviate stress, thereby improving mood and lowering the risk of heart disease.
8. Boosts Blood Production, Enhances Mental Clarity, and Aids Digestion
Fresh lotus root contains abundant trace elements like copper, iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium, and manganese. Among root vegetables, lotus root has a relatively high iron content, making it ideal for those with iron-deficiency anemia. Its various trace elements support red blood cell production and maintain normal muscle and nerve function.Additionally, these nutrients aid in secreting digestive enzymes, improving digestion.
9. Stabilizes Heart Rate and Lowers Blood Pressure The sodium-to-potassium ratio in lotus root is 1:5. Its low sodium and high potassium content helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate, benefiting heart and overall health.
10. Prevents Bleeding Lotus root is rich in vitamin K, which has hemostatic properties.Drinking fresh lotus root juice helps prevent bleeding.
11. Relieves Phlegm, Suppresses Cough, Prevents Asthma
Fresh lotus root juice can also treat respiratory conditions like coughs, asthma, and pneumonia. Hot lotus root tea effectively suppresses coughs and expels phlegm.
12. Strengthens the Spleen and Stimulates Appetite
Lotus root contains mucoprotein and dietary fiber, which bind to bile salts in the body, as well as cholesterol and triglycerides from food, facilitating their excretion through feces and thereby reducing lipid absorption.Lotus root emits a unique, refreshing fragrance and contains tannins. It helps strengthen the spleen and stop diarrhea for those with poor digestion or loss of appetite in early autumn. It boosts appetite, aids digestion, and promotes stomach health, benefiting individuals with poor gastric function or lack of appetite.
13. Anti-Aging, Cancer Prevention, and Vitamin C Supplementation
Though not high in sugar, lotus root is rich in vitamin C, making it highly beneficial for those with liver disease, constipation, or diabetes. It also contains abundant polyphenols that boost immunity, slow aging, and help prevent cancer.Recipe Cooling Blood, Reducing Heat, Preventing Winter Dryness — Cold Lotus Root Salad Ingredients: 200g lotus root Vinegar, light soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, cilantro, minced scallions Instructions: 1.Wash the lotus root and slice it;
2. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the lotus root slices and boil for about three minutes;
3. Remove the lotus root slices, rinse them under cold water, then soak them in cold water;
4. While the lotus root soaks, chop scallions, cilantro, and garlic. Combine in a bowl with light soy sauce, vinegar, a pinch of salt, and sesame oil. Mix well.
5. Drain the lotus root slices using a strainer. Arrange on a plate and pour the dressing from step 4 over them.
Nourish Yin & Kidneys — Chestnut Lotus Root Soup
Ingredients: 750g lotus root, 20 chestnuts, 1/3 cup raisins (optional)
Instructions:
1. Wash lotus root surface. Scrape off thin membrane with knife back, then slice into 0.5cm pieces. Remove knobs.Shell and peel chestnuts; set aside.
2. Place lotus root, chestnuts, and water in a pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer for 40 minutes.
3. Add raisins and simmer for 5 more minutes. Season to taste (add sugar for sweetness or salt for savory flavor).
Soothing Happiness Porridge—Lotus Root, Potato, and Millet Porridge
Ingredients: Lotus root, potato, millet
Method:
1. Wash the lotus root surface. Scrape off the thin membrane with the back of a knife, then cut into small cubes.
2. Wash the potato surface, scrape off the thin membrane with the back of a knife, then dice into small cubes.
3. Bring water to a boil in a pot, add millet, and continue simmering.
4. Add the prepared lotus root and potato cubes, simmer until tender, then season with salt to taste.