Flos Nelumbinis
Aliases：Hàndàn (Book of Songs); Héhuā (Mao's Commentary on the Book of Songs); Shuǐhuā (Cui Bao's Ancient and Modern Notes); Fúróng (Ancient and Modern Notes); Fúqú (Erya).
Lotus Flower is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the flower bud of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., a plant in the family Nymphaeaceae. It grows in marshes, ponds, lakes, or paddy fields, either wild or cultivated. It is recorded in Ri Hua Zi's Materia Medica, Compendium of Materia Medica, Chinese Materia Medica, and other herbal works. Multiple parts of the lotus plant are used medicinally, and Lotus Flower is one of them.
Efficacy & Actions
Dissipates Blood stasis and stops bleeding; eliminates Dampness and dispels Wind.
Indications
Vomiting of blood due to falls and injuries; accumulated blood from falls; unremitting hematemesis from the Heart and Stomach; blood strangury; uterine bleeding (metrorrhagia and metrostaxis); pemphigus (tianpao damp sores); scabies with itching; sores on the lips.
Modern Pharmacology
Antioxidant effect: Lotus Flower is rich in polyphenolic compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, and possesses relatively high antioxidant activity. It can scavenge free radicals and alleviate oxidative stress damage. Anti-inflammatory effect: Lotus Flower extract exhibits significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. LC-ESI-MS analysis identified its major flavonoids as myricetin and quercetin derivatives, supporting its potential as a bioactive ingredient in preparations for improving skin health. Antiplatelet aggregation effect: Both white and pink lotus flowers exhibit antiplatelet aggregation activity, which is related to their phytochemical constituents, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenols. Cholesterol-lowering effect: Lotus Flower possesses a cholesterol-lowering pharmacological effect. Antibacterial effect: Polyphenolic compounds from different parts of the lotus plant exhibit antibacterial activity. Antitumor effect: Polyphenolic compounds from different parts of the lotus plant exhibit antitumor activity. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects: Polyphenolic compounds from different parts of the lotus plant possess hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities. Neuroprotective effect: Polyphenolic compounds from different parts of the lotus plant exhibit neuroprotective effects. Opioid receptor affinity: Lotus Flower extract exhibits certain affinity for opioid receptors and corresponding in vivo behavioral activities.
Ingredients
Lotus Flower mainly contains the following active constituents: Flavonoids (principal active constituents): Quercetin. Luteolin. Isoquercitrin. Luteolin glucoside. Kaempferol. Kaempferol-3-galactoglucoside. Kaempferol-3-diglucoside. Myricetin and its derivatives. Polyphenols: Phenolic acid compounds. Anthocyanins. Resveratrol. Alkaloids: Alkaloid constituents present in the lotus plant. Others: β-Carotene. Organic acids. Amino acids. Lipids, glycosides, triterpenoids, vitamins, and carbohydrates.
Usage & Dosage
Oral use: Decocted in water, 6–9 g; or ground into powder, 1–1.5 g. External use: Appropriate amount. Apply fresh material topically to the affected area; or pound it into a paste and apply.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in individuals with an exterior pattern at the initial stage of an externally contracted disease. Contraindicated in individuals with dry, hard stools. Consumption of Lotus Flower should be avoided in conditions such as malaria and infantile malnutrition (ganji). Do not consume it together with crab or turtle meat to avoid certain adverse reactions. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should use it under the guidance of a physician.
Selected Formulas
For hematemesis due to fall injuries, accumulated blood from trauma, and persistent vomiting of blood from the heart and stomach (Yifang Zhaiyao) Take dried lotus flower, grind into powder. Take one square-cun spoonful each time with wine. For Tianpao damp sores (impetigo-like lesions) (Jianbian Danfang) Apply lotus flower externally. For sores on the lips (empirical formula) Apply white lotus petals externally. For heatstroke in children (Beijing Jishuitan Hospital popular science) Take about 10–15g of lotus flower, add 500mL of water, and decoct until 250mL remains.
Daily Consumption
Lotus Flower Tea: Take large lotus flower buds that are about to open in July or newly opened flowers, dry them in the shade, and grind them together with tea leaves into a fine powder. Package the powder in filter paper as tea bags, or brew the lotus flower together with tea leaves in boiling water. Lotus Flower and Green Tea Drink: Lotus Flower 6 g, green tea 3 g. Remove the petals from the lotus flower and wash them. Grind the petals together with the green tea into a fine powder. Place the powder in a tea bag, pour boiling water over it, and steep for 15 minutes before drinking. One dose daily. Lotus Flower Porridge (for calming the mind): Dry an appropriate amount of fresh petals in the shade and grind them into a fine powder. Add the powder to millet porridge during cooking and stir evenly. Consume once daily. This helps prevent and treat insomnia. Lotus Flower Powder Tea: Remove the petals from the lotus flower, wash them, and chop them finely. Mix with lotus root starch and lotus seed powder. Place the mixture in a tea bag, pour boiling water over it, and steep for 15 minutes before drinking. Suitable for individuals with dry skin and poor sleep.
Medicinal Parts
Flower bud.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place. Protect from insects and moisture. Keep in an airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid direct sunlight.
