Summer is the season when lotus flowers bloom, and there are more and more vendors selling lotus seeds on the street. Lotus seeds, known for their ability to clear heat and relieve annoyance, are also popular. But can we still eat lotus seeds if they have sprouted?
Can we still eat sprouted lotus seeds?
Yes, we can.
Sprouted lotus seeds are actually the lotus hearts inside the seeds. Lotus hearts have a cooling nature and a bitter taste. They do not have any significant toxic side effects and can be both consumed as food and used for medicinal purposes. They have the effects of clearing the mind, reducing heat, and nourishing the essence. They are suitable for people who experience restlessness, thirst, frequent nocturnal emissions or urination, red and swollen eyes, and other symptoms.
How to eat sprouted lotus seeds
Lily, lotus seed, and mung bean milk
Ingredients
30g yellow soybeans, 20g mung beans, 20g lily bulbs, and 20g lotus seeds.
Instructions
1. Wash the yellow soybeans and mung beans, and soak them in water overnight.
2. Soak the lily bulbs and lotus seeds until they become soft.
3. Put all the ingredients into a soy milk maker and press the "soy milk" button. It will be ready in about 30 minutes.
Effect: Nourishes yin, relieves annoyance, clears heat, and detoxifies.
Rock sugar lotus seed soup
Ingredients
Lotus seeds, rock sugar.
Instructions
1. Wash the lotus seeds and remove the lotus hearts.
2. Put the lotus seeds into a stewing bowl, add an appropriate amount of rock sugar and water.
3. Heat it up and stew it over low heat for 3 hours. If you prefer a softer texture, you can stew it a little longer.
Effect: Clears the mind, relieves annoyance, invigorates the spleen, and nourishes the lungs.
What are the benefits of eating lotus seeds?
Nourishing the kidneys and consolidating essence
Many people think that lotus seeds are more suitable for women, but they also have great benefits for men. They have the effects of invigorating the spleen, stopping diarrhea, nourishing the kidneys, and consolidating essence. They are suitable for symptoms such as nocturnal emissions, premature ejaculation, and frequent urination. When paired with rhizoma dioscoreae, the effect of nourishing the kidneys and consolidating essence is even better.
Nourishing the heart and calming the mind
Lotus seeds contain components such as β-sitosterol, glutathione, and unsaturated fatty acids. The cottonseed sugar they contain has high health value. Lotus seeds have the effect of nourishing the heart and calming the mind. They are suitable for people with palpitations and insomnia. They can also be taken in moderation by people with chronic illnesses, postpartum women, or middle-aged and elderly people.
Clearing heat and relieving annoyance
Lotus seeds have the effect of clearing heart fire and relieving annoyance. The medicinal effect of clearing heat and relieving annoyance is better when the lotus hearts are not removed. Common recipes for clearing heat include lotus seed soup with rock sugar, which has good therapeutic effects on internal excessive deficiency-fire. Lotus seeds can also be used to alleviate symptoms such as restlessness, insomnia, and thirst caused by summer heat.
Strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea
Lotus seeds have a neutral nature and a sweet and bitter taste. They have the effect of invigorating the spleen and stopping diarrhea. They can be used to treat symptoms such as spleen deficiency diarrhea, urinary incontinence, irregular menstruation, kidney deficiency nocturnal emissions, and restlessness. When paired with poria cocos, they have the effects of strengthening the spleen, stopping diarrhea, beautifying the skin, and enhancing immunity.
Beauty and skincare
Lotus seeds not only have excellent health benefits but also have a role in beauty and skincare. Eating lotus seeds together with red dates can nourish the blood and improve the complexion. It has good therapeutic effects on conditions such as dark spots and dull complexion. Eating lotus seeds with rock sugar can also help to replenish qi, nourish blood, regulate menstruation, and relieve pain.
Precautions for eating lotus seeds
1. Do not eat in excess
Lotus seeds have a neutral nature and are rich in nutrients. Eating them in moderation has the effects of nourishing the heart, calming the mind, and invigorating the kidneys. However, excessive consumption can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain.
2. Do not combine with crabs and turtles
Lotus hearts have a cool nature and a bitter taste. They should not be consumed together with turtles and crabs to avoid adverse reactions.
3. Whether to remove the lotus hearts or not
Lotus hearts have the effect of clearing heart fire. For people with a weak and cold constitution, it is better to remove the lotus hearts before consumption. For those with internal excessive deficiency-fire, consuming the lotus hearts has a better effect.
Who should not eat lotus seeds
1. People with abdominal bloating
Lotus seeds are not suitable for people with conditions such as abdominal bloating and chronic gastritis caused by diet stagnation, as it may worsen the symptoms.
2. People with dry and hard stools
Lotus seeds have astringent properties. They are not suitable for people with dry and hard stools caused by yin deficiency and internal heat, as it may worsen the condition.
