The wood lotus fruit is a versatile ingredient that can be used both as medicine and food. It has a peculiar appearance and is known for its heat-clearing and swelling-reducing effects. Let's now learn about the efficacy, functions, and methods of consuming wood lotus fruit!
Image of wood lotus fruit
【Morphological characteristics of wood lotus fruit】
The wood lotus fruit is harvested in August (before and after the end of summer) before the fruit cracks. The residual fruit stalks are pruned and the fruit is thoroughly dried.
The wood lotus fruit is a tall tree that can grow up to 20m. The young branches and buds are covered in reddish-brown short hairs. The leaves are alternate; leaf stalks are 1-3cm long; stipule scars are semi-elliptical and about 3-4cm long.
The leaves of the wood lotus fruit are leathery, narrowly elliptical to inverted egg-shaped or inverted lanceolate, 8-17cm long and 2.5-5.5cm wide. The apex is sharply pointed, usually blunt, and the base is wedge-shaped. The margin is slightly rolled up, and the back of the leaf is sparsely covered with reddish-brown hairs. There are 8-12 pairs of lateral veins.
The pedicels are 6-18mm long, covered in reddish-brown short soft hairs. The bracts fall off, leaving behind a scar.
There are 9 tepals, white in color. The outer whorl is oblong-elliptical, 6-7cm long, and the inner two whorls are inverted ovate, 5-6cm long. There are numerous stamens, about 1cm long, with the anthers protruding to form short blunt triangles. The carpels are numerous, forming a pistil group about 1.5cm long.
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【Efficacy and functions of wood lotus fruit】
1. Dispels wind and promotes diuresis
The wood lotus fruit contains substances such as scopoletin and bergaptene, which have anti-rheumatic effects and can be used to treat rheumatic pain.
2. Clears heat and reduces swelling
The wood lotus fruit contains various organic acids, scopoletin, coumarins, and taraxasterol acetate, which have the effects of clearing heat, cooling blood, promoting blood circulation, and reducing swelling. It can be used to treat boils, swelling, abscesses, and injuries.
3. Tonifies the kidney and consolidates essence
The wood lotus fruit contains a large amount of acidic substances, which have astringent properties and can treat conditions such as nocturnal emission and impotence caused by kidney deficiency and instability of essence.
4. Anti-cancer and cancer prevention
The ethanolic extract of wood lotus fruit can isolate myo-inositol, coumarins, beta-sitosterol, taraxasterol acetate, and beta-amyrin acetate, which have anti-tumor and anti-cancer effects and can prevent and inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Image of wood lotus fruit
【Wood lotus fruit recipe recommendations】
1. Ginseng and lotus fruit soup
Recipe: Soak 10g of white ginseng and 10 wood lotus fruits in water, then steam with 30g of rock sugar for one hour before consumption.
Consumption: The ginseng can be left for the next day and steamed with wood lotus fruits using the same method. This can be repeated three times.
Efficacy: It has the effect of replenishing qi and strengthening the spleen, suitable for post-illness weakness, spleen deficiency with weight loss, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, and diarrhea.
2. Stewed pig stomach with lotus fruit
Recipe: Wash a pig stomach and stuff it with 40 deseeded wood lotus fruits. Sew it up with a thread and stew until cooked. Cut the pig stomach into slices and arrange them on a plate with the wood lotus fruits. Add appropriate amounts of sesame oil, salt, spring onions, ginger, and garlic for seasoning before consumption.
Efficacy: It has the functions of invigorating the spleen, benefiting the stomach, replenishing deficiency, and strengthening qi. It is suitable for reduced food intake, weight loss with diarrhea, and edema.
