Nelumbinis Folium
Aliases：Lián Yè, Gān Hé Yè, Xiān Hé Yè, Ǒu Yè, Hé Huā Yè, Xiá.
Lotus leaf is a medicinal herb that consolidates essence, reduces urination, and checks leukorrhea. It is the dried leaf of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., a plant belonging to the family Nymphaeaceae. The leaf is semi-circular or fan-shaped in appearance; when unfolded, it is broadly rounded, with entire or slightly undulate margins, 20–50 cm in diameter. The upper surface is dark green or yellowish-green and relatively rough; the lower surface is pale greyish-brown, relatively smooth, with 21–22 prominent veins radiating from the center to the periphery; the center has a raised remnant of the petiole. It is brittle and easily broken. Lotus leaf is a classic example of a medicinal and edible substance and is included in the list of “items that are both food and medicinal materials”.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears summer-heat and transforms dampness; raises and distributes the clear Yang; cools the blood and stops bleeding.
Indications
Indicated for summer-heat with vexation and thirst, summer-dampness diarrhea, Spleen deficiency diarrhea, blood-heat with hematemesis and epistaxis, hematochezia, and flooding and spotting (abnormal uterine bleeding). Charred lotus leaf is used for various types of bleeding and postpartum fainting. It may also be used for edema and dizziness.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that lotus leaf extract shows significant potential in regulating glycolipid metabolism, antitumor activity, anti-inflammatory effects, and cardiovascular protection. Lotus leaf exhibits lipid-lowering, weight-reducing, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Nuciferine extracted from lotus leaf can dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure; the flavonoid compounds it contains act as scavengers of oxygen free radicals, can increase coronary flow, and protect against acute myocardial ischemia. The total alkaloids of lotus leaf can significantly improve blood lipid levels and hepatic lipid deposition in hyperlipidemic rats. The active components in lotus leaf—including flavonoids, alkaloids, and polysaccharides—not only possess weight-reducing, lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and cardiovascular protective effects but can also help prevent and treat metabolic syndrome by regulating gut microbiota.
Ingredients
Lotus leaf mainly contains flavonoids, alkaloids, volatile oils, polysaccharides, and other chemical components. Flavonoid components include quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin. Alkaloid components are primarily aporphine-type alkaloids, with nuciferine being the most abundant, along with nornuciferine, liensinine, and isoliensinine. Preliminary studies suggest that nuciferine, quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, N-nornuciferine, and volatile oils can serve as quality markers (Q-markers) for lotus leaf.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 3–10 g (15–30 g for fresh leaves); 3–6 g for charred lotus leaf. May also be made into pills or powders. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, crushed and applied topically, or decocted in water for washing.
Contraindications
Use with caution or avoid in cases of Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold—as lotus leaf is cool in nature. Use with caution in those with a lean constitution and Qi-blood deficiency. Not suitable for use during pregnancy. Not suitable for use during menstruation. Avoid excessive consumption. Avoid consuming together with cold-natured foods such as bitter melon—may cause increased bowel movements or diarrhea. Do not use moldy or spoiled lotus leaf.
Selected Formulas
For edema due to yang-type water retention (empirical formula) Take withered lotus leaves, burn until charred while retaining their properties, and grind into powder. Take 2 qian each time with warm boiled water. For latent summer-heat and damp-warm disease in autumn, at the early stage (Shi Bing Lun) Take 3 qian of Lianqiao (Forsythia, core removed), 2 qian of Xingren (Apricot kernel, peeled and tip removed, ground), 3 qian of Gualouke (Trichosanthes peel), 1.5 qian of Chenpi (Tangerine peel), 3 qian of Fuling (Poria), 1 qian of processed Banxia (Pinellia), 5 fen of Gancao (Licorice), and 1 qian of Peilan (Eupatorium) leaf. Add 2 qian of lotus leaf (Heye) as a guiding herb. Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Lotus Leaf Tea: Take 9 g of dried lotus leaf (or 30 g of fresh leaf, chopped), crush it, decoct in water, strain, and drink as a tea. It may also be combined with rose, aged tangerine peel, and cassia seed. Steep in hot water and drink as a tea. Lotus Leaf Congee: Take 100 g of polished rice, 1 fresh lotus leaf (or 10 g of dried lotus leaf), and an appropriate amount of rock sugar. Wash the fresh lotus leaf, decoct it in water, strain to remove the residue, then add the washed rice and cook into congee. Add rock sugar and dissolve, then consume while warm. This congee can raise and distribute the clear Yang, clear summer-heat, and resolve dampness. It is suitable for summer-heat conditions, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Lotus Leaf Summer-Heat Tea: Take 10 g of lotus leaf and 6 g of bamboo leaf heart. Steep in boiling water and drink as a tea. It has the effect of clearing heat and relieving restlessness, suitable for relieving summer-heat vexation and thirst. Lotus Leaf Chicken: Take one tender hen and one fresh lotus leaf. The chicken becomes tender and flavorful with the fragrance of lotus leaf; it nourishes the body and supplements deficiency. Lotus Leaf and Hawthorn Soup: Take 20 g of hawthorn and 1 lotus leaf. Slice the hawthorn, shred the lotus leaf, decoct together in water, strain, and drink as a tea. It has lipid-lowering, weight-reducing, blood pressure-lowering, and fatigue-relieving effects. Suitable for hypertension, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, and obesity.
Medicinal Parts
Dried leaf.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, protected from insects.
