Lotus seeds (lian zi)
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1. Overview
Lotus seeds — lian zi — are the seeds of the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), used in Chinese cuisine and medicine for thousands of years. Mildly sweet with a slightly chestnut-like texture, lotus seeds tonify the Spleen and Kidneys, astringe the essence, calm the Heart and quiet the spirit. They are a central ingredient in many calming and sleep-supportive Chinese soups and desserts.
2. TCM properties
- Thermal nature: Neutral
- Flavour: Sweet, slightly astringent
- Channels entered: Spleen, Kidney, Heart
- Actions: Tonify Spleen, astringe Kidney essence, nourish Heart, calm the spirit
3. Therapeutic uses
- Anxiety, insomnia, palpitations (from Heart-Spleen deficiency)
- Chronic loose stools or diarrhoea from Spleen weakness
- Spermatorrhoea, premature ejaculation (Kidney deficiency)
- Excessive vaginal discharge in women (Spleen deficiency)
- Postnatal recovery, emotional sensitivity after birth
- Daily children's tonic and calming food
4. How to use
- Soak overnight, then add to soup, congee, sweet desserts
- Combine with red dates and longan in calming evening tea
- Use in classical recipes like Eight Treasures Rice
- Remove the bitter green core for sweet preparations; keep it for stronger calming effect
- Daily dose: 10–30g (about 2–3 tbsp)
5. Cautions
Generally very safe. Avoid in severe constipation (the astringent property can worsen it). The bitter green embryo (lian zi xin) is strongly cooling and bitter — remove for daily food use, retain for medicinal use in heat patterns.
