Lotus Leaf Tincture, also known as He Di, He Ti, and Lian Di, is mentioned in the book "Compendium of Materia Medica". It is the leaf base of the plant Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., a member of the Nymphaeaceae family. Lotus leaves are harvested from July to September. The leaf base, along with the surrounding leaflets of the petiole, is cut off and dried or used fresh.
[Processing Method] Take the original medicinal material and remove impurities and ash.
[Appearance of Herbal Pieces] The tincture comes in intact or broken leaf pieces, which are nearly circular, semi-circular, or diamond-shaped. The upper surface is purple-brown or green-yellow, rougher in texture, with slightly concave leaf veins radiating outwards. The lower surface is brown-yellow, glossy, with the remaining leaf petiole base in the center and protruding leaf veins. The tincture is light and brittle in texture, with a mild aroma and astringent taste.
[Processing Effects] Lotus Leaf Tincture has a bitter and astringent taste, with a neutral property. It belongs to the spleen, stomach, and liver meridians. It has the functions of clearing heat and dampness, promoting blood circulation, stopping bleeding, and stabilizing the fetus. It is commonly used for conditions such as heat and dampness diarrhea, bloody dysentery, excessive menstruation, and restless fetal movement during pregnancy. For example, the He Di Porridge, which quenches thirst, stops diarrhea, and regulates blood sugar (mentioned in "Old and New Tales of the Tang Dynasty"); and the Seven Treasures Detoxifying Powder, which treats abscesses and ulcers (mentioned in "Puji Ben Shi Fang"). Processing the tincture cleans the medicinal material. Calcining the tincture enhances its hemostatic effect. For instance, burnt Lotus Leaf Tincture, when mixed with alcohol, can be taken to treat urinary bleeding (mentioned in "Guizhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescriptions and Secret Formulas").
