What are the benefits and禁忌 (contraindications) of drinking lotus seed heart steeped in water?
Jul 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, drinking lotus seed plumule tea generally has effects such as clearing the heart and calming the mind, clearing heat to relieve internal heatiness, improving sleep, regulating emotions, and assisting in lowering blood pressure. However, there are some contraindications, including individuals with cold body constitution, those with weak spleen and stomach function, pregnant women, women during menstruation, and excessive consumption. When drinking lotus seed plumule tea, it is important to consume it in moderation and avoid long-term or excessive intake.
Generally, drinking lotus seed plumule tea typically offers benefits such as clearing heart fire, calming the mind, reducing internal heat, improving sleep, regulating emotions, and assisting in lowering blood pressure. However, there are certain contraindications, including for individuals with cold body constitution, weak spleen and stomach, pregnant women, women during menstruation, and those who consume it in excess. Detailed explanations are as follows:
I. Benefits
1. Clearing Heart Fire and Calming the Mind: Lotus seed plumule contains various alkaloids that help clear heart fire and calm the nerves, alleviating irritability caused by excessive heart fire and promoting emotional stability, making it suitable for daily consumption.
2. Clearing Heat and Reducing Fire: Its bitter and cold nature helps eliminate internal heat and alleviate symptoms such as dry mouth and sore throat caused by excessive heat in the body, contributing to maintaining the body's yin-yang balance.
3. Improving Sleep: The active ingredients in lotus seed plumule can relax the nervous system and reduce mental tension, offering auxiliary improvement for conditions such as insomnia, frequent dreams, and difficulty falling asleep, thereby helping to enhance sleep quality.
4. Regulating Emotions: Drinking lotus seed plumule tea can soothe agitated emotions and relieve anxiety and irritability, helping individuals maintain a stable mindset, particularly during periods of high stress.
5. Assisting in Lowering Blood Pressure: Certain components in lotus seed plumule may help dilate blood vessels and improve blood circulation, providing auxiliary regulation for individuals with high blood pressure and aiding in maintaining stable blood pressure levels.
II. Contraindications
1. Individuals with Cold Body Constitution: Due to its bitter and cold nature, lotus seed plumule may exacerbate internal coldness in individuals with cold constitutions, worsening symptoms such as cold intolerance and cold hands and feet, which is detrimental to health.
2. Individuals with Weak Spleen and Stomach: The bitter and cold nature may irritate the spleen and stomach. Those with weak digestive systems may experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, or loss of appetite after consumption, which could affect normal digestive function.
3. Pregnant Women: Lotus seed plumule may stimulate the uterus, potentially causing discomfort in pregnant women and negatively affecting fetal stability and development; therefore, it should be strictly avoided.
4. Women During Menstruation: Women during their menstrual period generally have weakened physical conditions. Drinking lotus seed plumule tea may increase internal coldness, potentially leading to poor menstrual flow or dysmenorrhea, affecting menstrual health.
5. Excessive Consumption: Even for individuals with suitable constitutions, excessive consumption may damage the spleen and stomach due to its bitter and cold nature, causing gastrointestinal discomfort. It is recommended to consume it in moderation to avoid adverse reactions.
If discomfort such as abdominal pain or diarrhea occurs after consumption, usage should be stopped immediately and medical consultation sought if necessary.
