Lotus (plant) - Beneficial Properties And Uses Of Lotus, Flowers, Seeds And Lotus Oil. Lotus White, Red

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Lotus

Benefits and Uses of Flowers, Seeds and Lotus Oil

Useful properties of lotus

Lotus is one of the oldest medicinal plants known to man. The first mentions of its use are found in the days of Ancient Greece. Ancient physicians used this medicinal plant in the fight against many ailments. It is known to be used in Chinese traditional medicine as an effective diuretic and hemostatic agent. Its tonic properties were used by ancient Indian healers, actively making and prescribing preparations from the lotus with severe exhaustion and malaise.

The beneficial properties of this flower are due to the presence of a large number of active substances in it. The leaves of the plant contain flavonoids, alkaloids and leukoanthocyanidins, rhizomes are rich in tannins, starch, resin, and rubber and vitamin C are present in all parts of the lotus. Due to the high concentration of vitamin C, preparations from this medicinal plant are able to stimulate the human immune system.

Various varieties of this natural medicine contain protein, manganese, copper, sugar, oils, useful macro- and microelements. The amount of nutrients depends on the type of flower, some varieties are more suitable for treatment, and some will not bring the desired result. Recent research by scientists has discovered the ability of certain components of the lotus to absorb neoplasms, which makes it possible to use it in the fight against cancer.

Lotus application

In history, you can easily find hundreds of references to the use of the lotus for medicinal purposes. Over time, the role of this flower in medicine has hardly changed. The leaves and other parts of this medicinal plant are included in the recipes for the preparation of many medicines and dietary supplements. The lotus has earned such attention due to the huge content of useful elements in it. It should be noted the widespread use of this flower in the preparation of various tonic teas.

Such drinks have a beneficial effect on the human nervous system, filling the body with vigor and energy. The flower is most widely used in Chinese, Arabic, Indian and Vietnamese folk medicine. Eastern medicine uses it most often as an excellent astringent. The astringent effect is provided by the tannins present in it. Often decoctions and infusions of this plant were used as an effective antipyretic, diuretic, hemostatic agent.

They are also often prescribed for problems with the gastrointestinal tract and to improve the sexual functions of the body. Certain varieties of lotus are excellent for treating kidney and liver diseases. Among other things, the oil of this flower can help people with problem skin. It relieves inflammation, cleanses, smoothes and gives the skin elasticity and firmness. The plant is often used to combat acne.

Ointment for burns: toasted to black lotus leaves should be mixed with petroleum jelly in a ratio of one to four and lubricate the affected areas.

Lotus flowers

Lotus flowers are distinguished by amazing bizarre shapes and beautiful color. They can be up to 30 centimeters in diameter. In addition to their aesthetic qualities, the flowers of this medicinal plant have an amazing tonic aroma, due to which they are included in the preparation of many medicinal tea mixtures.

For medicinal purposes, lotus flowers are best harvested before dawn, as this is when they give off their strongest fragrance. They should be plucked carefully so as not to damage the flower or the plant itself, otherwise some of its beneficial properties may be lost.

Lotus seeds

Since ancient times, lotus seeds have been considered one of the most useful components of this miraculous plant. They are used in the manufacture of several hundred Chinese traditional medicine preparations. Also, the seeds are known for their excellent general tonic, tonic and cardiotonic effects, which they have due to the presence of alkaloids and flavonoids in them.

Flower seeds help to get rid of various pathologies of the kidneys and cardiovascular system. With their help, you can eliminate some problems of the central nervous system. And, in addition, they have an excellent calming effect, they are often recommended to combat insomnia, heart palpitations and excessive psychological stress.

Many doctors have noted the good astringent effect of lotus seeds, it is a wonderful remedy for hemorrhoids and diarrhea. They are also often used in cooking - dishes with plant seeds are incredibly healthy. The use of such dishes is a great opportunity to strengthen your immunity, improve the urinary system, kidneys, heart, intestines and reproductive organs. In addition, this natural medicine normalizes blood circulation, relieves indigestion and is an excellent antiemetic.

Lotus oil

The oil is extracted from the petals of three different varieties of this medicinal plant - red, white and blue lotus. It differs from each other in color, smell and place of production. At first glance, the same oils can be mined in different parts of the world.

For a long time, lotus oil has been used in folk medicine in many countries around the world. The ancient Romans inhaled its fumes to cure asthma or other respiratory ailments. The Chinese used flower oil to relieve cramps, spasms, relieve various pains, to fight hemorrhoids and diarrhea, as well as for some heart diseases. The effectiveness of such a remedy in the fight against stomach ulcers and in the prevention of bile spills is noted.

The plant oil is widely used to relieve stress, depression and nervous tension. It has a wonderful tonic aroma that relieves the feeling of fatigue and fills the body with vigor. Among other things, this oil is an effective means of caring for almost any type of skin. Due to its properties, it activates metabolic processes, prevents skin aging and fading.

Lotus extract

The extract is especially appreciated in oriental medicine as a remedy that can eliminate fatigue and slow down the aging of the body. It is actively used to normalize the heart rate, lower blood lipids, relieve puffiness and treat obesity. In addition, the drug stabilizes blood pressure, improves sleep, and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the spleen, digestive and cardiovascular systems. Its diuretic, hemostatic and diuretic effects should be especially noted.

Due to its antitoxic properties, lotus extract helps to protect the human body from adverse environmental factors. It is often used to improve facial skin tone. The alkaloids found in it, such as nepherine, nuciferin and lotusin, have a wide range of beneficial properties. They are included in the list of vasodilators, hemostatic, antipyretic and cardiac medications.

Lotus root

In addition to the palatability that many people like, lotus root boasts a significant list of beneficial properties. A decoction of the roots of this medicinal plant has long been used by traditional medicine of the East as an effective sedative for convulsions, emissions and dyspepsia. Due to the nutritional value of such broths, they were often recommended during times of severe exhaustion or mental exhaustion.

For gonorrhea, mycoses, diseases of the spleen, liver and kidneys, decoctions from the roots of the flower are taken as an antiseptic and antipyretic drug. They have also proven themselves to be good at fighting snake and scorpion bites. Traditional Chinese medicine recommends taking root decoctions as a diuretic, antitoxic, hemostatic and tonic. It helps well with vitamin deficiency, chronic dysentery, uterine and gastric bleeding.

Far Eastern healers used this miraculous remedy to fight pneumonia and bronchial asthma, and the Japanese used it to treat inflammation and poisonous insect bites. Lotus root is firmly established in traditional medicine and is an important component of many pharmacological preparations.

Lotus tea

In ancient times, lotus tea was considered by many peoples of the world to be a drink exclusively for people of royal blood. This belief was based on the wonderful healing properties of such a drug, which allows you to get rid of depression and lift your mood. That is why the rulers did not want to share this wonderful drink with their servants.

Flowers, petals and stamens of lotus are usually harvested for brewing. In the process of making tea it is very important that they do not lose their beneficial properties.

This healthy drink not only has a pleasant tonic aroma and taste, it is also an effective general tonic. Due to the high content of amino acids and vitamin C in the tea, tea has a beneficial effect on the human immune system, normalizes many processes inside the body, improves the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates. In the heat, this tonic can become an indispensable assistant: just drink one cup - and the temperature of the skin will immediately drop by several degrees, a feeling of freshness and coolness will spread through the body.

Lotus leaf

The leaves of the plant are a rather valuable drug. They contain alkaloids, flavonoids and other substances useful to the human body. Japanese medicine has long used lotus leaves mixed with other herbs to treat cervical cancer, an aqueous infusion of which has been used as an effective diuretic, antiseptic, hemostatic and tonic. It was often prescribed for vitamin deficiency. Indian and Egyptian doctors recommended such a collection of medicinal herbs to eliminate tumors of various origins.

The main spectrum of action of preparations from the leaves of the plant is a decrease in the level of lipids in the blood, slowing down the aging of the body, a calming and antispasmodic effect, removal of edema and normalization of the heart rate. Lotus leaves are found in many Chinese traditional medicines.

Lotus white

The white lotus is widespread in Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil and northern Yucatan. It is a herbaceous aquatic plant - a water lily with a powerful rhizome and long stems reaching 30 cm in height. Each stem ends in a white flower. It is especially appreciated as a medicinal raw material and is often used in the preparation of tonic teas and other medicinal drinks. It is very easy to grow and propagate the white lotus, as its rhizome can be simply placed in a pond with slowly flowing water. It will sprout quickly.

Lotus red

This type of lotus is still the emblem of India. It has powerful branchy roots and large flowers reaching 30 cm in diameter. It contains a whole range of vitamins and minerals such as potassium, iron, calcium, sodium, silicon, zinc. Thanks to such a balanced chemical composition, this medicinal plant is able to improve the metabolism in the body, regenerate skin cells and have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the pancreas and liver. It is sometimes used in the manufacture of fat-burning drugs.

Contraindications to the use of lotus

Contraindications to the use of the lotus are not yet fully understood by official science. Preparations based on it are prohibited to use during pregnancy and nursing mothers. An allergic reaction to the plant or individual intolerance to its individual components is also possible. Lotus oil is not recommended to be used undiluted, nor should it be used on children. In no case should the oil get on the mucous membranes. Before starting treatment, a doctor's consultation is required.

The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist

Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).