Health Benefits of Lotus Seeds

What Are Lotus Seeds?

The lotus plant, belonging to the water lily family, encompasses over 100 species, with the single-flowered white lotus being the most common, typically bearing around 24 petals. Other varieties, such as double-flowered lotuses, have over 100 petals and come in pink or red hues. In Vietnam, lotus plants are found in most provinces and play a significant role in promoting health and vitality.

Lotus seeds are rich in protein, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus, while being low in saturated fats, sodium, and cholesterol. In traditional medicine, lotus seeds are considered a valuable remedy, capable of treating conditions such as physical weakness, nervous exhaustion, insomnia, poor appetite, irritability, and indigestion.

Also known as lotus flesh (lianhu), lotus seeds have a sweet taste, neutral properties, and are packed with nutritional value. In Eastern medicine, they are both a delicious, nourishing food and a precious medicinal ingredient that calms the mind, strengthens the kidneys, nourishes the spleen, and addresses issues like spermatorrhea, nocturnal emissions, diarrhea, insomnia, sluggish digestion, bloating, poor appetite, thirst due to high fever, and dehydration.

Benefits of Lotus Seeds

Treats Insomnia
Insomnia or difficulty sleeping deeply is a common condition across generations, affecting both young and old. It often stems from excessive stress, leading to declining health. Lotus seeds have calming and relaxing properties, promoting sleep and serving as an effective home remedy for insomnia.

Treats Acne
Lotus seeds can help treat acne. Sebum, a waxy substance that clogs pores and forms on the skin, is the primary cause of acne. Combining lotus flowers with green tea to create a facial mask can reduce sebum production by the glands.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Nutrition experts have noted that both red and white lotus seeds possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties due to the presence of two polysaccharides in the lotus embryo.

Inhibits the Spread of Lung Cancer
The lotus embryo contains neferine, a compound that can inhibit the widespread proliferation of lung cancer cells. Studies suggest that regular consumption of lotus embryo may support lung cancer treatment.

Slows the Aging Process
Lotus seeds contain anti-aging enzymes that slow the aging process and repair damaged proteins. Regular consumption of lotus seeds offers longevity benefits without the need for anti-aging creams.

Supports Diabetes Management
Lotus seeds help regulate blood glucose levels due to their low calorie content and high soluble fiber. Therefore, individuals with diabetes should consume moderate amounts of lotus seeds to improve overall health.

Promotes a Healthy Pregnancy
Lotus seeds provide high-quality proteins that support the development of the fetal nervous system and brain, making them recommended for pregnant women. Doctors advise expectant mothers to include lotus seeds for a healthy pregnancy.

Improves Taste Perception
Lotus seeds are widely known for improving taste perception and appetite in patients. They also support healthy kidney development and prevent urinary tract inflammation caused by pathological conditions or prostatitis.

Reduces Blood Lipid Levels
Chronic stress, anxiety, and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to fat accumulation in various organs, particularly the liver. This accumulated fat, known as visceral fat, can cause numerous health issues. Consuming lotus seeds has been shown to treat fatty liver disease and reduce blood lipid levels.

Promotes Hemostasis
Lotus seeds contain flavonoids like quercetin, which strengthen capillary walls and prevent excessive bleeding, making them effective for hemorrhage prevention.

Culinary Preparations with Lotus Seeds

Treating Insomnia
Two nourishing drink recipes:

• Lotus Seed and Coconut Water: Combine 100g lotus seeds, 100g shredded coconut, and 400g sugar. Cook until the lotus seeds are soft, then mix with shredded coconut and sugar syrup for consumption.
• Lotus Seed and Longan Dessert: Cook 100g fresh lotus seeds with 300g longan flesh and 400g sugar.

Treating Nervous Exhaustion
Use 16g lotus seeds, 12g ginseng root, 12g Chinese yam, grind into powder, mix with honey to form pills, and consume 20–30g daily. For elderly patients with dementia, cook porridge with 20g lotus seeds and 100g high-quality sticky rice, eating three meals daily. Add sugar to taste.

Treating Headaches
Use 20g lotus seeds, 40g roasted black beans, 20g young mulberry leaves, 12g oroxylum bark, 40g young noni leaves, and 40g processed rehmannia. Roast and simmer the ingredients, grind into a fine powder, add sugar, and form into corn-sized pills. Dry and store in a jar. Consume 20g twice daily.

Treating Loose Stool Diarrhea
Prepare 100g lotus seeds, 50g Chinese yam, 15g unripe sapodilla, and 20g rock sugar. Crush the sapodilla, add 250ml water, boil, and strain the liquid. Dry and grind lotus seeds and Chinese yam into powder, mix with the sapodilla liquid, and cook over low heat into porridge. Add rock sugar when done, divide into three portions, and consume on an empty stomach for three consecutive days.

Treating Anemia
Use 50g lotus seeds, 300g snakehead fish, 50g sticky rice, 100g regular rice, and sufficient seasoning. Steam the fish, debone, and season the flesh. Grind the other ingredients finely. Crush the fish bones to extract sweet broth, add 300ml water, and cook with the rice powder over low heat, stirring evenly. When the porridge is done, add the fish flesh, stir, season, and serve. Consume once daily on an empty stomach for 10 days.