Where does lotus root grow? A detailed explanation of the lotus root's growing environment

Lotus root grows at the base of the lotus leaf. The underground stem of the lotus is the root, and the fruit is the lotus seed. Lotus root can be eaten raw or cooked, and is one of the common table vegetables. The root is also a plant of fairly high medicinal value; its roots, leaves, flower stamens and fruits are all treasures, and all can be used as nourishing medicine.

1. The value of lotus root

1. Clearing heat and cooling blood: Used raw, lotus root is cold in nature and has the effect of clearing heat and cooling blood, and can be used to treat heat-related conditions; lotus root is sweet and full of juice, and is especially beneficial for those with thirst from heat disease, nosebleeds, coughing up blood, and blood in the stool.

2. Relieving constipation and stopping diarrhea, strengthening the spleen and opening the appetite: Lotus root contains mucinous protein and dietary fiber, which can bind with bile salts in the human body, and with cholesterol and triglycerides in food, causing them to be excreted in the feces, thereby reducing the absorption of lipids. Lotus root gives off a unique fresh fragrance and also contains tannins, which have a certain effect of strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea, can increase appetite, promote digestion, open the appetite and strengthen the middle, and are beneficial for restoring health in those with poor appetite and no desire to eat.

3. Benefiting the blood and generating muscle: The nutritional value of lotus root is very high. It is rich in trace elements such as iron and calcium, and is also rich in plant protein, vitamins and starch, with a clear effect of tonifying qi and blood and strengthening the body's immunity. Therefore, traditional Chinese medicine calls it: “mainly tonifies the middle and nourishes the spirit, and boosts qi and strength”.

4. Stopping bleeding and dispersing blood stasis: Lotus root contains a large amount of tannic acid, which has the effect of constricting blood vessels and can be used to stop bleeding. Lotus root can also cool the blood and disperse blood. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that it stops bleeding without leaving stasis, and it is an excellent food therapy for blood conditions in heat disease.

2. Other parts of the lotus

1. Lotus node, which has an astringent effect and is mainly used to treat various bleeding conditions. Folk practice is to decoct fresh lotus nodes in water and take with white sugar; some use 60 grams each of fresh lotus nodes and fresh imperata rhizome decocted in water; some use 30 grams of dried lotus nodes, 15 grams each of frosted mulberry leaf and imperata rhizome, decoct in water, remove the residue, then dissolve in 30 grams of rock sugar, and drink in 3 portions.

2. Lotus seed, that is, the seed of the lotus, which has a nourishing and astringent effect and also a certain calming effect on the spirit. The famous formula Shenling Baizhu San for treating chronic diarrhea due to spleen deficiency includes lotus seed. In folk practice, lotus seeds are decocted together with red brown sugar, and the seeds are eaten and the soup drunk; it treats both diarrhea due to spleen deficiency and women's weakness and increased vaginal discharge, and can also be used for patients with insomnia and palpitations.

2. Stone lotus seed, which is what lotus seeds become after they age in the lotus receptacle, fall into the mud, and become hard as stone over time. For medicinal use, the shell should be broken. It is mainly used to treat chronic strangury and chronic dysentery. The famous formula Qingxin Lianzi Yin for treating strangury uses stone lotus seed kernel as the main medicine, and in modern times it has a certain effect in treating chronic pyelonephritis.

4. Lotus stamen, that is, the dried flower stamens of the lotus, which mainly have an astringent effect of securing essence, and are often used to treat spermatorrhea. The Chinese patent medicine Jinsuo Gujing Wan for treating spermatorrhea includes lotus stamen.

5. Lotus leaf, that is, the leaf of the lotus, which has effects such as clearing heat, relieving summer heat, opening the appetite and stopping bleeding. In recent years, it has also been found to have the effect of lowering cholesterol. Some people use lotus leaf decoction to treat hyperlipidemia, with 20 days as one course of treatment, and the result was that the vast majority of people had results.

The whole lotus plant is a treasure. Lotus root is not only delicious, but also has a very good nourishing effect, and can be eaten together with lotus seeds, red dates and so on for even better results.