LOTUS

It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments. The botanical name for Lotus is Nelumbo nucifera which belongs to the Nelumbonaceae family. It is also called Kamal and Padmini. It is the symbol of divine and beauty.

Hindi- Kamal

English- Sacred Lotus

Kannada- Padma, kamala, taavare

Telugu- Tamara Puvvu

Tamil- Tamarai

Malayalam- Tamara

Arabian- Kati Sunnail

It is originated from Asia and widely distributed from South, and East Asia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, and America.

The lotus is large, erect and it is an aquatic herb that has large leathery leaves which is about 20inches in diameter. The height of the plant is 3-6 feet. The white or pink colors flower with the center float on the water. The flowers are solitary and it grows in the shallow ponds and it is distributed in India up to an altitude of 5,400feet. The flowering and fruiting season of this plant is from March to December.

Parts used: Plant. Seed, Leaf, Root, Flower, Anther, Stalks leaves

Taste: Astringent, Sweet, Bitter

Potency: Cold

On chemical compound analysis of the lotus, it includes

Seeds: Flavonoids, dauricine, lotusine, nuciferine, pronuciferine, liensinine, isoliensinnine, roemerine, neferine, armpavine, gallic acid, iso quininolinol, saponins, and carbohydrates

Rhizome: Betulinic acid, isoquininolinol, saponins

Leaf: Nuciferines, roemerine, anonaine, pronuciferine, N-nomuciferine, coclaurines, norcoclaurines, liriodenine, remerine, armepavine, liensinines, negferine, asimilobine, linnidine, nelumboside, quercetin, leuco-anthocyanidin, leucodelphinidin

Flower: Kaemferol, myercetin, quercetin, nelumboroside A and B, isorhamnetin, adenine, Myo-inositol, arbutin, B-sitosterol glucopyranoside

ACTION:

• Diarrhea
• Lipolytic
• Anti-obesity
• Cardiovascular activity
• Hypocholesterolemic
• Analgesic
• Anthelmintic
• Hematopoietic
• Antioxidant
• Anti-diuretic
• Anti-diabetic
• Antipyretic
• Antimicrobial
• Anti-hypertensive
• Anti-bacterial
• Aphrodisiac
• Anti-proliferative
• Anti-inflammatory
• Hepatoprotective
• Immunomodulatory
• Antiviral
• Anti-hyperlipidemic

• The leaves of the lotus help to lower the lipid level in the blood and treat hyperlipidemia
• Roots of the lotus used in the treatment of diabetes, indigestion, dysentery, and piles
• The fruits can be eaten raw to regulate blood glucose level
• Paste of the petiole applied on the forehead to regulate the body temperature and is also used in the treatment of bleeding piles and menstruation
• Young leaves are useful in the treatment of piles, leprosy, and painful urination

The dose of the drug used according to physicians

Juice – 10-20ml

Seed powder – 3-6 gm

• Avoid this herb it may cause bleeding while you are taking this herb along with anticoagulants and anti-inflammatory drugs
• Avoid this herb if you are pregnant and breastfeeding
• Lotus helps to reduce the blood sugar level, monitor the blood glucose level if you are taking any other anti-diabetic drug along with lotus

• Lotus helps to reduce the blood pressure, monitor the blood pressure if you are taking any other antihypertensive drug along with lotus

Do not use this herb if you are allergic to the constituents of the lotus

Bleeding:

Traditional view: The use of lotus helps to treat bleeding in piles and during the menstrual cycle by its astringent property. It also helps to reduce the menstrual flow

Take the required amount of dried lotus flower as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and add 500 ml of water into it and allow it to boil for 15-20 minutes and filter the water. Consume this water to treat bleeding disorder

Modern view: Lotus contains phytochemicals that have anticoagulatory properties which help to treat blood-clotting problems by removing the stagnated blood

Diarrhea:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, Diarrhea is called Atisar. Usually, diarrhea occurs due to mental stress, improper food, water, environmental toxins. Diarrhea occurs due to the imbalance of Vata. This brings the fluid into the intestines and mixes it with stool which leads to diarrhea. Lotus control diarrhea by its Grahi (absorbent) and Kashaya (astringent) activity

Take the required amount of dried lotus flower as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and add 500 ml of water into it and allow it to boil for 15-20 minutes and filter the water. Consume this water to treat bleeding disorder

Modern view: It helps to reduce the frequency of defecation and accumulation of fluid in the small intestine by its anti-enteropooling and antispasmodic activities

Indigestion:

The use of lotus helps to treat indigestion by its antispasmodic activity

Allergy:

Traditional view: Usually the use of lotus seed does not cause allergy. It will cause allergy if you have gastrointestinal problems like constipation by its astringent and absorbent properties
Modern view: The use of lotus seeds does not cause allergies. The lotus contain a chemical called kaempferol it helps to treat allergic reactions by inhibiting the immunoglobulin E mediated allergic reactions

High cholesterol:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, high cholesterol occurs due to an imbalance of Pachak Agni (digestive fire). This impaired digestion occurs due to the accumulation of toxins in the body which leads to the accumulation of cholesterol and causes obstruction in blood vessels. The use of lotus helps to improve the improper digestion by its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) produces which remove the accumulation of bad cholesterol and main normal cholesterol level due to Lekhan (scrapping) property.

Modern view: Lotus contains chemical constituents flavonoids which helps to reduce the bad cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol and it also helps increase the good cholesterol in the body

Premature greying of the hair:

Lotus helps to prevent grey hair by stimulating the melanin production

Fatty liver:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, fatty liver occurs due to the weak digestive fire which leads to loss of appetite and indigestion. The use of lotus helps to improve the function of the liver by astringent properties

Modern view: The lotus contains phytoconstituents, which help to maintain the level of a protein hormone called adiponectin which further breakdown the fat and sugar complex.

The Lotus comes in various formulations includes

Internal use:

Lotus root chips:

Preheat the microwave oven to 300-325F and peel the roots of lotus with the help of a vegetable peeler and slice the roots into thin pieces and add 2 tablespoons of oil, black pepper, salt, and sesame oil in a bowl and mix it well until all the seasoning covered equally

Lotus seeds:

Take the required amount of dried lotus seeds as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and roast them in ghee and consume it after your meals

Lotus extract capsule:

Take the required amount of dried lotus extract capsule as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and take it with water

External use:

Lotus flower paste:

Take the required amount of lotus flower paste as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and add honey to it and apply this mixture to the affected area and leave it for some time. Use this remedy to control bleeding

Lotus seed paste:

Take the required amount of lotus seed paste as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and add rose water to it and apply this mixture on the affected area and leave it for 4-5 minutes and wash it with fresh water. Use this remedy to treat skin problems

Lotus cream:

Take the required amount of lotus cream as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and apply this mixture to the affected area and leave it for some time. Use this remedy to treat acne and inflammation

Lotus oil:

Take the required amount of lotus flower paste as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and add honey to it and apply this mixture to the affected area and leave it for some time. Use this remedy to treat dry skin.

• Hypersensitivity
• Flatulence
• Constipation

• Stomach distention

Is lotus powder available in the market?

Yes, it is available in the market and it can be brought from online websites or ayurvedic medical stores.

How to store lotus powder?

It should be stored in an airtight container and keep the medicines away from the heat and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out to children

Is lotus flower good for skin?

Yes, the use of lotus flower for skin is considered good because it has skin whitening and anti-wrinkle agent which inhibit the enzymes which are responsible for the melanin formation and wrinkles