Lian Zi (莲子) — Lotus Seed | TCM Herb Guide

At a Glance

Herb: Lian Zi
Chinese name: 莲子 (Lián Zǐ)
Latin name: Nelumbo nucifera seed
Nature: Neutral
Taste: Sweet / Astringent
Meridian: Spleen / Kidney / Heart
Category: Herbs that Stabilize and Bind
Introduction: Lian Zi (莲子), Semen Nelumbinis, is the dried mature seed of Nelumbo nucifera, the sacred lotus. A gentle tonic and astringent, it simultaneously nourishes the spleen and heart, astringes the kidney, and calms the spirit. Widely used in food therapy as well as medicine, it is suitable for both adults and children. Modern research confirms alkaloids and polyphenols with sedative, antidiarrheal, and hypotensive properties.

Spleen deficiency diarrhea: chronic loose stools, poor appetite — combines with Dang Shen, Bai Zhu, Fu Ling
Kidney deficiency with seminal emission, premature ejaculation — combines with Qian Shi, Jin Ying Zi
Heart-kidney disharmony with insomnia, palpitations, anxiety — combines with Fu Ling, Yuan Zhi
Leukorrhea from spleen-kidney deficiency — combines with Qian Shi, Shan Yao
Irritability and restlessness from heat — use with Lian Zi Xin (lotus embryo)

Dosage: 6–15 g in decoction; up to 30 g in food therapy
Contraindicated in constipation — astringent nature may worsen dry stools
Contraindicated in abdominal distension with qi stagnation
Lian Zi Xin (green embryo within seed): bitter, cold — clears heart fire; removed for standard tonic use
Generally safe and suitable as daily food supplement

Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (参苓白术散): Lian Zi, Ren Shen, Fu Ling, Bai Zhu, Shan Yao, Bai Bian Dou, Yi Yi Ren, Sha Ren, Jie Geng, Zhi Gan Cao — tonifies spleen, resolves dampness, stops diarrhea
Qian Shi Lian Zi Wan (芡实莲子丸): Lian Zi, Qian Shi, Shan Yao — astringes kidney and spleen
Qing Xin Lian Zi Yin (清心莲子饮): Lian Zi, Huang Qi, Mai Dong, Fu Ling, Ren Shen — clears heart fire, tonifies qi, stops leukorrhea

芡实 (Qiàn Shí) + 茯苓 (Fú Líng) — spleen-kidney deficiency with diarrhea, spermatorrhea, and leukorrhea (参苓白术散加减). 2. 党参 (Dǎng Shēn) + 白术 (Bái Zhú) + 山药 (Shān Yào) — spleen qi deficiency with chronic diarrhea and poor appetite (参苓白术散). 3. 酸枣仁 (Suān Zǎo Rén) + 茯神 (Fú Shén) — heart-kidney disharmony with insomnia and palpitations. 4. 黄连 (Huáng Lián) — heart fire with restlessness and insomnia (清心莲子饮). 5. 金樱子 (Jīn Yīng Zǐ) — spermatorrhea and leukorrhea from kidney deficiency. Source: 太平惠民和剂局方 (参苓白术散), 局方 (清心莲子饮).

resistant starch and tannins
- Antidiarrheal: reduce intestinal secretion and transit time. Antiarrhythmic (lotus embryo alkaloids): neferine blocks L-type Ca²⁺ channels
- Antidiarrheal: reduces ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation
neferine and liensinine
- Sedative: modulate GABA-A receptors
- Sedative: reduce sleep latency
resistant starch
- Antidiabetic: lowers postprandial glycemic index
- Antidiabetic: polysaccharides improve insulin sensitivity
flavonoids
- Anti-inflammatory: inhibit NF-κB, COX-2, and TNF-α
neferine
- Antihypertensive: relaxes vascular smooth muscle via Ca²⁺ antagonism

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》): ‘Governs supplementing the center and nourishing the spirit, benefits qi and strength, eliminates the hundred diseases; long-term use lightens the body and resists aging, prevents hunger, and prolongs life.’
Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》): ‘Lotus Seed is sweet in flavor, warm in qi, and astringent in nature; it inherits clear and fragrant qi and obtains the flavor of cultivation — it is a fruit of the Spleen; connects Heart and Kidney, thickens the intestines and Stomach, secures essence and qi, strengthens sinews and bones, and supplements deficiency and depletion.’
Ben Cao Bei Yao (《本草备要》): ‘Sweet, astringent, and balanced; supplements the Spleen and Stomach, secures essence and qi, calms the Heart spirit; treats Spleen diarrhea and chronic dysentery, dream emission and turbid white discharge, and women’s uterine flooding and vaginal discharge.’