Hé Yè (荷叶) — Lotus Leaf
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Incompatibilities
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Hé Yè (荷叶) — Nelumbo nucifera — is known in English as Lotus leaf. It belongs to the category of herbs that clear Summerheat in the Chinese Materia Medica and is used in Chinese herbal medicine both as a component of classical herbal formulas and within tailored prescriptions in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
I prescribe Hé Yè as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan — independently tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Herbs are never prescribed individually outside a properly balanced formula; they are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Hé Yè |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 荷叶 |
| Latin name | Nelumbo nucifera |
| English name | Lotus leaf |
| Nature | Neutral to slightly cool |
| Flavour | Bitter, sweet |
| Channels entered | Liver, Spleen, Stomach |
| Category | Clear heat |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Clears Summerheat and resolves Dampness
- Raises the clear Yang of the Spleen
- Stops bleeding when charred (He Ye Tan)
Indications
- Summerheat with irritability, thirst and scanty urine
- Summerheat-Damp with diarrhoea and a feeling of heaviness
- Dizziness and diarrhoea from the clear Yang failing to rise
- Bleeding of a Heat pattern, using the charred form
4. Key formulas containing Hé Yè
Hé Yè is an ingredient in a number of classical formulas. The following are among the most important:
See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 332 classical formulas.
5. Modern research
Lotus leaf contains nuciferine and a range of flavonoids. Preclinical research has examined effects on lipid metabolism and body weight, which has driven its popularity in commercial teas. The evidence base in humans remains limited, and in TCM it is used for a defined Summerheat or clear-Yang pattern rather than as a general weight-loss agent.
6. Incompatibilities
The classical Ming-dynasty texts Shi Ba Fan (Eighteen Antagonisms) and Shi Jiu Wei (Nineteen Mutual Inhibitions) record herb pairs that should not be combined. Modern practitioners treat these as strong cautions rather than absolute contraindications.
No classical incompatibilities are recorded for Hé Yè in the Shi Ba Fan or Shi Jiu Wei.
7. Cautions and contraindications
Use with caution in deficiency-Cold patterns of the Spleen and Stomach. The charred form (He Ye Tan) is used specifically for bleeding, while fresh or dried leaf is used for Summerheat. Any unexplained bleeding requires medical assessment before herbal treatment.
Pattern contraindications
Not appropriate where diarrhoea arises from Spleen Yang deficiency and Cold, as its cooling, clearing action may aggravate the pattern.
Modern drug interactions
No specific drug interactions are well established for Hé Yè at normal prescribed doses. As with all Chinese herbs, tell your herbalist about every prescribed medication so the formula can be reviewed for interactions and adjusted where necessary.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM and the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience.
8. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Hé Yè as part of tailored herbal formulas for Summerheat and Damp patterns and for digestive disorders where the clear Yang fails to rise, always as part of an individually formulated prescription.
Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available for patients throughout the UK and internationally, with herbs dispensed by post. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.
Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide. After a full video consultation, Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto formulates a bespoke herbal prescription and posts your Chinese herbs directly to your door.
