Shi Lian Zi 石莲子 — Chinese Herbal Medicine

Shi Lian Zi (石莲子) At a Glance

• Herb: Shi Lian Zi
• Chinese name: 石莲子 (Shi Lian Zi)
• Latin name: Nelumbinis Fructus
• Nature: Neutral
• Taste: Bitter, Sweet, Astringent
• Meridian: Heart
• Category: Stop Diarrhea astringent essence

Shi Lian Zi (石莲子) is the mature, stone-hard dried fruit of Nelumbo nucifera, distinguished from the softer Lian Zi by its intact stony pericarp and markedly stronger astringent action. Entering the Heart, Spleen, and Kidney meridians, it simultaneously stabilizes the digestive system, secures the lower orifices, and quiets the spirit. Its bitter-sweet-astringent profile makes it especially suited for patterns of chronic deficiency complicated by dampness, slipping essence, or smoldering Heart Heat.

Actions & Therapeutic Effects

• Tonifies the Spleen and stops chronic diarrhea
• Clears Heart Heat and calms the Spirit
• Astringes the Kidney and secures essence
• Restrains leukorrhea and vaginal discharge
• Harmonizes the Middle Jiao and resolves lingering dampness
• Treats refractory dysentery (噤口痢, lockjaw dysentery)

Clinical Applications in TCM

• Spleen-deficient chronic diarrhea or loose stools — combine with Bai Zhu and Fu Ling (Si Jun Zi Tang variation)
• Lockjaw dysentery (噤口痢) with inability to eat — pair with Ren Shen and Shi Chang Pu
• Heart-Kidney disharmony with palpitations, insomnia, and anxiety — use with Huang Lian and Fu Shen (Jiao Tai Wan variation)
• Spermatorrhea and premature ejaculation from Kidney deficiency — combine with Qian Shi and Jin Ying Zi (Shui Lu Er Xian Dan)
• Abnormal leukorrhea from Spleen-Kidney deficiency with dampness — pair with Bai Guo and Shan Yao
• Urinary frequency and turbid urine from failing Kidney consolidation — combine with Yi Zhi Ren and Wu Yao

Precautions & Safety

• Typical oral dose: 6–15 g in decoction; 3–6 g as powder
• Contraindicated in excess-type dysentery with active pathogenic accumulation; do not use to astringe prematurely when a pathogen remains
• Use with caution in constipation or abdominal distension — astringency may aggravate stagnation
• Avoid in patients with strong interior Heat without concurrent deficiency; the neutral nature limits clearing power if Heat is prominent

Classical TCM Formulas

• Shi Lian Zi San (石莲子散): Shi Lian Zi, Lian Zi, Qian Shi, Bai Zhu — chronic diarrhea.
• Shi Lian Zi decoction alone: for chronic dysentery and spermatorrhea.
• Shi Lian Zi is more astringent and less tonifying than fresh Lian Zi.

Herb Combinations

• Shi Lian Zi (石莲子) + Lian Zi (莲子) + Qian Shi (芡实): strongly astringes and secures for chronic diarrhea, spermatorrhea, and leukorrhea.
• Shi Lian Zi (石莲子) + Bai Zhu (白术) + Fu Ling (茯苓): astringes while tonifying Spleen for chronic deficiency diarrhea.
• Shi Lian Zi (石莲子) + Wu Bei Zi (五倍子) + Ke Zi (诃子): strong astringent for intractable chronic diarrhea.

Pharmacology & Research

Alkaloids (nuciferine, liensinine, isoliensinine): exert sedative, antiarrhythmic, and mild antihypertensive effects.
Tannins: produce astringent action on intestinal mucosa, reducing secretion and motility.
Flavonoids (quercetin, isorhamnetin): modulate inflammatory signaling and reduce oxidative stress.
Polysaccharides: stimulate immune function and inhibit intestinal fluid hypersecretion.
Resistant starch: reinforces gut mucosal barrier integrity and provides prebiotic substrate.

Classical Descriptions

• “石莲子，即老莲子也。仁甘，气平，无毒。治噤口痢及诸失血。” — *Bencao Gangmu* (本草纲目), Li Shizhen, 1578