What are the health benefits of lotus seeds?
Jul 14, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the effects and functions of lotus seeds mainly include nourishing the heart and calming the mind, strengthening the spleen to stop diarrhea, benefiting the kidneys to consolidate essence, providing nutrition, and stopping leukorrhea. Although lotus seeds are beneficial, they should not be consumed in excessive amounts, as this may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract and cause symptoms such as abdominal distension and indigestion. In addition, lotus seeds are generally mild in nature, but for individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency cold, it is recommended to consume them after they are thoroughly cooked.
Generally speaking, the main functions of lotus seeds include nourishing the heart and calming the mind, strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea, benefiting the kidneys and consolidishing essence, providing nutrition, and reducing leukorrhea. The specific details are as follows:
1. Nourishing the Heart and Calming the Mind
Lotus seeds contain various alkaloids, which have a calming effect on the nervous system. These components can help alleviate negative emotions such as anxiety and irritability, and improve conditions of mental restlessness.
2. Strengthening the Spleen and Stopping Diarrhea
Lotus seeds enter the spleen meridian and have a strong function of strengthening the spleen. They can enhance the functions of the spleen and stomach, improve symptoms such as poor appetite and indigestion caused by spleen and stomach weakness. At the same time, their astringent properties can tighten the intestines, effectively regulating symptoms such as chronic diarrhea. By nourishing the spleen and stomach and enhancing their transformation and transportation functions, lotus seeds help gradually restore normal gastrointestinal function.
3. Benefiting the Kidneys and Consolidating Essence
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, lotus seeds can nourish the kidneys and have the effect of benefiting the kidneys and consolidating essence. They can help regulate conditions such as spermatorrhea and seminal emission caused by kidney deficiency. Lotus seeds can replenish kidney essence, enhance the kidney's function of retention, thereby improving related symptoms, making them suitable for people with kidney deficiency to consume in moderation as part of their daily diet.
4. Providing Nutrition
Lotus seeds are rich in protein, carbohydrates, various vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. They also contain abundant dietary fiber. These nutrients are essential for maintaining normal physiological activities in the body. Consuming lotus seeds provides rich nutrition to the body, helps strengthen physical constitution, and improves immunity and resistance.
5. Reducing Leukorrhea
The astringent properties of lotus seeds can also act on leukorrhea, offering therapeutic effects for symptoms such as excessive, pale, and watery leukorrhea in women. They can regulate bodily fluid metabolism, astringe and reduce leukorrhea, helping to alleviate abnormal discharge. Lotus seeds are commonly used in the regulation of gynecological leukorrhea disorders.
Although lotus seeds offer many benefits, they should not be consumed in excess, as this may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms such as abdominal distension and indigestion. Additionally, due to their relatively neutral nature, individuals with spleen and stomach cold deficiency should consume them fully cooked and avoid excessive intake. The lotus seed embryo (lotus seed core) is bitter and cold in nature. If consumed with the embryo included, individuals with cold deficiency constitution should be cautious to avoid exacerbating internal cold conditions.
