Skip to content
Cura x Cura

Lian Zi莲子

Nelumbinis Semen · Lotus Seed

Astringent Herbs 收涩药《神农本草经》

Overview

The dried ripe seed of the lotus, sold as food as readily as medicine. Sweet, astringent and neutral, it is one of the gentlest things in the dispensary: it tonifies the Spleen while binding it, so it steadies chronic loose stools and persistent discharge, secures the Kidney against seminal loss, and quietly settles a Heart that will not rest. Note that the green plumule at its centre, Lian Zi Xin 莲子心, is a separate medicinal — bitter and cold, used to drain Heart fire — and is removed from the seed sold for eating.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet, astringent · Neutral

Channels

Spleen · Kidney · Heart

Typical Dosage

10–15 g in decoction
莲子Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Tonifies the Spleen, stops diarrhoeaChronic loose stools and poor appetite from Spleen deficiency, in patients too depleted to tolerate a strong herb.
  • Secures the essence, stops dischargeSeminal emission, urinary frequency and persistent thin vaginal discharge from Kidney deficiency.
  • Nourishes the Heart, calms the spiritPalpitations, restlessness and light, broken sleep where Heart and Kidney have lost contact with each other.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Lian Zi

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Chronic diarrhoea and poor appetite from Spleen deficiency
    - Seminal emission and urinary frequency
    - Persistent thin vaginal discharge
    - Palpitations, restlessness and light sleep

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Chronic diarrheaIrritable bowel syndromeInsomniaPalpitations

Contraindications

Cautions

Astringent and binding: not for abdominal fullness and distension, and not for constipation — it holds things in rather than moving them along. It is a mild, food-grade herb rather than a strong one, and it will not settle diarrhoea driven by an infection or by damp-heat that still has to be cleared; diarrhoea that persists, or that comes with blood or weight loss, needs investigation.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Generally compatible in food amounts — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.