What are the benefits and禁忌 (contraindications) of drinking lotus seed heart steeped in water?
Jan 21, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Generally, the benefits of drinking lotus seed plumule tea include clearing heat and relieving irritability, lowering blood pressure, clearing internal heat, nourishing the skin, and supplementing nutrition. Contraindications include individuals with allergic constitutions, kidney insufficiency, insufficient heart fire, women during special periods, and those with cold body constitution. When consuming lotus seed plumule tea, one should adjust the amount according to individual constitution and health condition, and follow the advice of a qualified physician or nutritionist.
Generally, the benefits of drinking lotus seed plum (the germ of the lotus seed) infused water include clearing heart heat and alleviating irritability, lowering blood pressure, clearing internal heat and reducing fireiness, supplying nutrients, and beautifying the complexion and nourishing the skin. Contraindications include individuals with allergic constitutions, impaired kidney function, insufficient heart fire, women during special physiological periods, and those with cold body constitution. Detailed explanations are as follows:
I. Benefits
1. Clearing Heart Heat and Alleviating Irritability
Lotus seed plum contains alkaloid components which can regulate the nervous system and have a significant calming effect. Drinking lotus seed plum infused water can help clear heart heat and relieve irritability, calm the nerves, and thus improve sleep quality.
2. Lowering Blood Pressure
Lotus seed plum contains nuciferine and other non-crystalline alkaloids, which can dilate blood vessels and reduce blood pressure. Drinking lotus seed plum water can assist in controlling blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
3. Clearing Internal Heat and Reducing Fireiness
Lotus seed plum has a bitter and cold nature and can clear internal heat and reduce fireiness. Drinking lotus seed plum infused water can effectively regulate symptoms of excessive internal heat caused by factors such as improper diet or staying up late, such as mouth ulcers and sore throat.
4. Supplying Nutrients
Lotus seed plum is rich in proteins, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients. Drinking lotus seed plum infused water can supply essential nutrients to the body, help replenish qi and nourish the spleen, moisten the lungs and relieve cough, and to some extent enhance immune function.
5. Beautifying the Skin and Nourishing the Complexion
Lotus seed plum contains antioxidant substances that can scavenge free radicals, delay skin aging, and help maintain skin firmness and elasticity. Drinking lotus seed plum water in moderation can moisturize the skin and achieve beautifying and complexion-enhancing effects.
II. Contraindications
1. Individuals with Allergic Constitutions
Lotus seed plum may cause allergic reactions in some people, such as skin itching and red rashes. Those allergic to lotus seeds or other plants of the Nelumbonaceae family should avoid consuming lotus seed plum to prevent allergic symptoms.
2. Individuals with Impaired Kidney Function
Lotus seed plum contains potassium. If the kidneys cannot normally excrete potassium from the body, excessive consumption of lotus seed plum may lead to potassium accumulation in the blood, adversely affecting kidney function.
3. Individuals with Insufficient Heart Fire
Lotus seed plum has the effect of clearing heart heat and calming the nerves, which helps reduce heart fire. However, for individuals with already insufficient heart fire, drinking lotus seed plum infused water may worsen symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, facial swelling, and limb edema.
4. Women During Special Physiological Periods
Lotus seed plum is cold in nature and slippery in quality. If consumed during menstruation, it may increase cold in the body and easily affect the uterus, causing dysmenorrhea. Consumption by pregnant women may induce miscarriage and should be especially avoided.
5. Individuals with Cold Body Constitution
Lotus seed plum is cold in nature. Consumption by individuals with cold body constitution or weak spleen and stomach may increase internal cold pathogens, worsen damage to the spleen and stomach, and intensify symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, which is detrimental to health.
When drinking lotus seed plum water, one should consume it in appropriate amounts according to individual constitution and health condition, and follow the advice of a professional physician or nutritionist.
