Home
Articles
Q&A

What are the functions and benefits of lotus seeds?

Aug 15, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the effects and benefits of lotus seeds mainly include nourishing the heart and calming the mind, strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea, benefiting the kidneys and consolidating essence, providing nutritional supplementation, and moistening the lungs to relieve coughing. When consuming lotus seeds, fresh lotus seeds can be eaten directly but should not be consumed in excess to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort. Dried lotus seeds should be soaked in advance before consumption and cooked until tender for easier digestion.

Generally speaking, the effects and benefits of lotus seeds mainly include nourishing the heart and calming the mind, strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea, benefiting the kidneys and consoliding essence, providing nutrition, and moistening the lungs to relieve coughing. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Nourish the Heart and Calm the Mind

Lotus seeds contain components such as nuciferine, which can act on the central nervous system and help alleviate anxiety and irritability. For conditions such as insomnia, frequent dreams, and poor sleep quality caused by an agitated mind, moderate consumption of lotus seeds can help regulate these conditions, relieve nerve tension, and improve sleep quality.

2. Strengthen the Spleen and Stop Diarrhea

Lotus seeds are rich in starch, protein, and dietary fiber, which can promote spleen and stomach function and enhance gastrointestinal function. They can help alleviate symptoms such as poor appetite, indigestion, and chronic diarrhea caused by a weak spleen and stomach, and are easily absorbed by the digestive system.

3. Benefit the Kidneys and Consolidate Essence

In traditional Chinese medicine theory, lotus seeds are associated with the heart, spleen, and kidney meridians. For symptoms such as spermatorrhea, seminal emission, and frequent urination caused by kidney deficiency, moderate consumption can provide auxiliary regulation. It can both supply nutrition and exert kidney-benefiting effects.

4. Provide Nutrition

Lotus seeds are rich in protein, fat, carbohydrates, B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients, which are essential for maintaining normal physiological functions in the body. Moderate consumption helps meet the body's nutritional needs and enhances physical health. They are a great choice whether cooked into porridge, stewed soup, or made into desserts.

5. Moisturize the Lungs and Relieve Cough

Lotus seeds have a neutral nature and can nourish lung yin. They can help alleviate symptoms such as dry cough with little phlegm and dry throat caused by lung dryness. When stewed with ingredients such as tremella fungus and rock sugar, they can moisturize the lungs and replenish fluids, relieving discomfort in the respiratory system.

When consuming lotus seeds, fresh ones can be eaten directly, but should not be consumed in excess to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort. Dried lotus seeds need to be soaked in advance and cooked until tender before consumption, which aids digestion. The bitter lotus seed core can be removed by individuals with cold body constitution to avoid increasing internal coldness. If discomfort such as bloating or abdominal pain occurs after consumption, stop eating and observe the symptoms. Additionally, lotus seeds cannot replace medications for treating diseases. If significant physical discomfort occurs, seek timely medical attention. For special populations, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before consumption.

Related Articles

View All
What is the best food to eat for nourishment during the Da Shu (Great Heat) period?
The weather during "Da Shu" (Major Heat) is typically hot and humid, making the body susceptible to heat and dampness invasion. Therefore, nourishment should focus on clearing heat, eliminating dampness, strengthening the spleen, and boosting qi. Commonly used foods include mung beans, lotus seeds, winter melon, Chinese yam, and coix seed. Common medicinal remedies include Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid, Shenling Baizhu Powder, Liuyi Powder, Jianpi Wan, and Xiangsha Yangwei Wan. Mung beans are rich in protein and B vitamins, and have the effect of clearing heat and relieving summer-heat.
avatar
Dr. Gao Jun
View Full Answer
What to eat for neurasthenia
In general, individuals with neurasthenia can consume foods such as millet, milk, longan, sunflower seeds, and lotus seeds. They may also take medications such as oryzanol tablets, vitamin B1 tablets, Anshen Bunao liquid, Zaoren Anshen capsules, and paroxetine hydrochloride tablets under medical guidance for symptom management. Daily routines should include maintaining regular sleep patterns and avoiding staying up late, as well as reducing intake of stimulating beverages such as coffee and strong tea.
avatar
Dr. Yang Ziqi
View Full Answer
What to eat for replenishing qi and nourishing the kidneys
Qi and kidney tonic can be assisted through dietary regulation, while medications should be selected according to specific symptoms. Commonly used foods generally include Chinese yam, black soybeans, walnuts, wolfberry, and lotus seeds. Commonly used medications typically include Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan (Jin Kui Kidney Qi Pills), Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Flavor Rehmannia Pills), Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan (Spleen and Lung Tonifying Pills), Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan (Five Seeds Progeny Pills), and Ren Shen Jian Pi Wan (Ginseng Spleen-Strengthening Pills). Chinese yam contains mucilaginous protein and vitamins, which can nourish the spleen and stomach, benefit the kidneys, and consolidate essence, thereby enhancing the digestive and absorptive functions of the spleen and stomach.
avatar
Dr. Gao Jun
View Full Answer
What can be cooked with pear dried fruit to clear heat and moisten the lungs?
Under normal circumstances, dried pears can be cooked together with ingredients such as Tremella fungus, lily bulbs, rock sugar, Sichuan Fritillary bulb, and lotus seeds, which can better exert the effects of clearing heat and moistening the lungs. In addition, dried pears can also be cooked with ingredients such as Ophiopogon root and Solomonseal rhizome to achieve similar effects of clearing heat and moistening the lungs. Meanwhile, attention should be paid to the quantity of ingredients used during cooking.
avatar
Dr. Sun Lianqing
View Full Answer
What are the health benefits of stewed pear with lily bulb and rock sugar?
Under normal circumstances, stewed pear with lily bulbs and rock sugar is a common health-promoting dessert. Combining the properties of pears, lily bulbs, and rock sugar, this dish primarily functions to moisten the throat, replenish body fluids, soothe emotions, provide energy, and assist in improving digestion. It is recommended to prepare stewed pear with lily bulbs and rock sugar according to individual needs, and it can be combined with other ingredients such as tremella and lotus seeds to enhance both texture and nutritional value.
avatar
Dr. Yu Yongchao
View Full Answer
What to eat for damp-heat syndrome
In general, for damp-heat conditions, it is advisable to consume foods such as Poria (Fuling), luffa, lotus seeds, purslane, and winter melon peel. Under a doctor's guidance, oral medications such as Er Miao Wan, Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan, Yin Zhi Huang Oral Liquid, Huang Lian Shang Qing Pian, and Ping Wei San may also be taken for regulation. To manage damp-heat, one should avoid excessive intake of sweet, greasy, fried, and spicy foods in daily life, as these can exacerbate dampness and heat.
avatar
Dr. Sun Lianqing
View Full Answer
What to Eat for a Damp-Heat Body Type
Under normal circumstances, individuals with a damp-heat constitution are advised to consume foods such as luffa, poria (Poria cocos), mung beans, water spinach, and lotus seeds, as well as oral medications including Sanren Mixture (Three Seeds Mixture), Compound Gotu Kola Granules, Qingre Qushi Granules (Heat-clearing and Dampness-resolving Granules), Longdan Xiegan Pills (Dragon胆Liver-Draining Pills), and Xiangsha Yangwei Pills (Fragrant Sand Stomach-Nourishing Pills). People with a damp-heat constitution should generally avoid excessive consumption of sweet, greasy, or fried foods in order to reduce the accumulation of damp-heat.
avatar
Dr. Sun Lianqing
View Full Answer
What should not be consumed with lotus seeds?
Under normal circumstances, lotus seeds should not be consumed with foods such as crabs, watermelon, persimmon, mung beans, and bitter melon, or with medications such as spironolactone tablets, triamterene tablets, digoxin tablets, tetracycline tablets, and albumin tannate tablets, as this may affect nutrient absorption or cause discomfort; the effects may vary among individuals. When consuming lotus seeds, it is important to ensure proper combination and avoid taking them with the aforementioned foods and medications.
avatar
Dr. Sun Lianqing
View Full Answer
彩牛养生

Your trusted source for health information and wellness guidance.

Quick Links

Resources

Connect

© 2024 HealthPortal. All rights reserved.