Lotus ~ Nelumbo nucifera

Lotus

Latin name: Nelumbo nucifera

Family: Nymphaeceae

Part used: seeds and root, leaves, sprout

Habitat: freshwater; native toSingapore

Main constituents: root: asparagine, tannin, nelumbine, carotene, thiamine, nicotinic acid, riboflavin, ascorbic acid; leaves: starch, ascorbic acid, asparagine, nelumbine; sprout: calcium, iron

Energetics: sweet, cooling

Main herbal actions: nutritive tonic, aphrodisiac, astringent, haemostatic, nervine, emmenagogue, breast tissue tonic

Minor herbal actions: seeds: cardiac tonic, sedative, strengthens kidneys

Main medicinal uses: diarrhea, menorrhagia, impotence, spermatorrhea, venereal diseases, heart weakness, fever, irritability, insomnia, anxiety,

Minor medicinal uses: leucorrhea, bleeding associated with threatened miscarriage, poisoning, dark urine, hematuria

Preparations: decoction: 1 tsp/cup tid; food: 3 g pwd qd in rice; leaves: 15-30 g qd

Contraindications: indigestion, food stagnation, constipation

Toxicity: none known

Sources: http://www.thedance.com/herbs/lotus.htm; http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/plants/lotus.htm