What are the functions and effects of lotus seeds?

Jul 11, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, as a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine and food ingredient, lotus seeds have various functions and benefits, including spleen nourishment and diarrhea control, kidney reinforcement and essence retention, calming the mind and improving sleep, lung moisturizing and cough relief, as well as beauty enhancement and complexion improvement. Although lotus seeds offer multiple benefits, it is important to consume them in moderation. Excessive consumption may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, leading to discomforts such as indigestion, bloating, and abdominal pain.

Generally speaking, as a common traditional Chinese medicine and food ingredient, lotus seeds have various functions and benefits, including spleen-strengthening and diarrhea-stopping, kidney-nourishing and essence-consolidating, calming the nerves and promoting sleep, moistening the lungs and relieving cough, and beautifying the skin. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Spleen-strengthening and diarrhea-stopping: Lotus seeds are sweet, astringent, and neutral in property, entering the spleen meridian. They can strengthen the spleen and are suitable for symptoms such as diarrhea caused by spleen deficiency, poor appetite, and loose stools. By invigorating the spleen and enhancing qi, they improve digestive and absorptive functions and help alleviate diarrhea caused by spleen deficiency.

2. Kidney-nourishing and essence-consolidating: Lotus seeds enter the kidney meridian and have the effect of nourishing the kidneys and consolidating essence. They are suitable for symptoms such as seminal emission, spermatorrhea, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees caused by kidney deficiency. By nourishing kidney essence and enhancing the kidney's containment function, they help stabilize the reproductive system and reduce abnormal loss of semen.

3. Calming the nerves and promoting sleep: The alkaloids in lotus seeds have a sedative effect, regulating the nervous system and reducing anxiety and irritability. They help improve insomnia, frequent dreams, and mental restlessness, promote deep sleep, and enhance mental well-being.

4. Moistening the lungs and relieving cough: Lotus seeds also help moisten the lungs and relieve cough, particularly effective in alleviating dry cough without phlegm or chronic cough. The mucilage and polysaccharides in lotus seeds can moisturize the lungs and relieve cough symptoms.

5. Beautifying the skin: Antioxidants in lotus seeds, such as vitamins C and E, as well as flavonoid compounds, can scavenge free radicals, slow down cellular aging, maintain skin elasticity and luster, thereby achieving the effect of beautifying the skin.

Although lotus seeds have multiple functions and benefits, it is important to consume them in moderation. Overconsumption may burden the gastrointestinal tract, causing indigestion, bloating, abdominal pain, and other discomforts. Additionally, individuals with constipation should avoid lotus seeds to prevent worsening symptoms. In daily life, lotus seeds can be consumed together with other ingredients—for example, cooking them with lily bulbs into a porridge—not only enhances the health benefits of lotus seeds but also provides a delicious and nutritious meal.

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Can lotus seeds regulate qi and blood deficiency?

Under normal circumstances, lotus seeds can help regulate qi and blood deficiency, but they should be consumed in moderation. However, the effect of lotus seeds in addressing qi and blood deficiency is relatively mild and is only suitable for mild cases; they cannot replace professional regulation or treatment for qi and blood deficiency. It is important to consume them in appropriate amounts, as excessive intake may cause gastrointestinal discomfort such as abdominal bloating, particularly in individuals with weak digestion, who should especially control their consumption.

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Can lotus seeds help with weight loss?

Under normal circumstances, lotus seeds can help with weight loss, but excessive consumption is not recommended. The weight-loss effect of lotus seeds is auxiliary; therefore, one should not rely solely on eating lotus seeds to lose weight. A balanced diet and appropriate exercise are also necessary. Additionally, lotus seeds should be consumed in moderation, as although their calorie content is not very high, excessive intake may still lead to excessive total calorie consumption.

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Can lotus seeds regulate spleen and stomach weakness?

Under normal circumstances, lotus seeds can help regulate spleen and stomach weakness, but they should be consumed in moderation. The process of using lotus seeds to regulate spleen and stomach weakness is gradual and should not be expected to show immediate results. Moreover, their effect is auxiliary. If symptoms of spleen and stomach weakness are severe, timely medical attention is necessary. Additionally, lotus seeds should be thoroughly cooked until soft to aid digestion, and raw or overly hard lotus seeds should be avoided as they may加重 (increase) the burden on the spleen and stomach.

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What are the functions and benefits of lotus seeds?

Under normal circumstances, as a food with both medicinal and dietary uses, lotus seeds have various functions and benefits, including strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea, nourishing the heart and calming the mind, benefiting the kidneys and consolidating essence, providing nutritional supplementation, astringing the intestines and stopping leukorrhea. While consuming lotus seeds, one should also pay attention to moderation to avoid discomfort such as abdominal distension caused by excessive intake. Additionally, the lotus seed core has a bitter taste; if necessary, it can be removed according to personal preference to better exert its effects.