What are the functions and benefits of Nelumbo nucifera seeds?
Jul 14, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the effects and functions of Stone Lotus Seed (Shilianzi) mainly include astringing the intestines to stop diarrhea, clearing the heart and relieving irritability, strengthening the spleen and stimulating the appetite, benefiting the kidneys to consolidate essence, and reducing excessive vaginal discharge. Stone Lotus Seed has a收敛 (astringent) effect and should be used cautiously by patients with constipation to avoid worsening constipation symptoms. Additionally, the use of Stone Lotus Seed should be conducted under the guidance of a physician; self-administration in large quantities is not recommended, especially for individuals with a cold-deficiency body constitution.
Generally speaking, the main functions and effects of Stone Lotus seeds include astringent intestine to stop diarrhea, clearing the heart and relieving irritability, strengthening the spleen and stimulating the appetite, benefiting the kidneys and consolidating essence, and reducing leukorrhea. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Astringent Intestine and Anti-diarrheal
Stone Lotus seeds have an astringent taste and possess strong contracting properties. They can tighten the intestines, effectively treating conditions such as chronic diarrhea and bacillary dysentery. These seeds can reduce intestinal motility, alleviate symptoms of diarrhea, aid in restoring the intestine's normal digestive and absorptive functions, and are particularly suitable for patients with chronic diarrhea under the guidance of a physician.
2. Clearing the Heart and Relieving Irritability
Stone Lotus seeds are cool in nature and can clear heart fire, helping alleviate symptoms caused by excessive heart heat such as irritability, insomnia, mouth ulcers, and restlessness. They can reduce heart fire, calm the mind, and help maintain a peaceful state of mind, making them suitable for people experiencing emotional distress due to excessive heart fire.
3. Strengthening the Spleen and Stimulating the Appetite
Stone Lotus seeds act on the spleen meridian and have the effect of strengthening the spleen, improving symptoms caused by spleen and stomach weakness such as poor appetite, indigestion, and abdominal distension. They enhance the spleen and stomach's transformation and transportation functions, promote digestion and absorption of food, thereby increasing appetite and enabling the body to better absorb nutrients.
4. Benefiting the Kidneys and Consolidating Essence
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Stone Lotus seeds also have the function of benefiting the kidneys and consolidating essence, offering some regulatory effects on symptoms such as spermatorrhea and seminal emission caused by kidney deficiency. They can nourish the kidneys, consolidate kidney essence, improve kidney function, and are suitable for individuals with kidney deficiency and instability under professional guidance.
5. Reducing Leukorrhea
The astringent property of Stone Lotus seeds can also act on leukorrhea, providing some therapeutic effect on excessive leukorrhea that is pale and watery. They can astringe and stop leukorrhea, regulate body fluid metabolism, and help alleviate abnormal leukorrhea issues.
Stone Lotus seeds have astringent properties and should be used cautiously by individuals with constipation to avoid worsening symptoms. Additionally, the use of Stone Lotus seeds should be conducted under the guidance of a physician; self-administration in large quantities is not recommended. Particularly for individuals with cold-deficiency constitution, excessive consumption may cause adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal discomfort.
