What are the differences between Gorgon fruit and lotus seeds?

Gorgon fruit and lotus seeds are two common Chinese patent medicines. They are the most common in normal times and are usually added to traditional Chinese medicines. However, these two medicinal materials, which look similar, have great differences. The first is the different effects. Gorgon fruit is generally more suitable for nourishing the body. It is best to eat it in autumn, while lotus seeds can be used all year round and can be used for making soup or porridge.

Gorgon fruit and lotus seeds are two different Chinese medicinal herbs, but they have similar effects. Gorgon fruit has the functions of nourishing the kidney and consolidating essence, tonifying the spleen and stopping diarrhea, and removing dampness and stopping leukorrhea. Lotus seeds have the functions of clearing the heart and invigorating the spleen, tonifying the spleen and stopping diarrhea, nourishing the heart, calming the mind and improving eyesight, tonifying the middle and nourishing the spirit, strengthening the spleen and stomach, stopping diarrhea and consolidating essence, and benefiting the kidneys, astringing essence and stopping leukorrhea.

1. Gorgon Fruit:

Gorgon fruit, also known as chicken head rice and chicken head fruit, is the seed of the aquatic herb Gorgon of the Nymphaeaceae family. The leaves of the water chestnut grow in March and are close to the water surface. They are larger than lotus leaves and have wrinkles. The leaf surface is green and the back is purple. Both the stems and leaves have thorns. The stem is more than ten feet long, with holes and threads in the middle. It can be eaten when the skin is peeled when it is tender. Purple flowers bloom in May and June, and when they bloom they form buds facing the sun, with green thorns on the buds. The flower is at the top of the bract, and also looks like a chicken's beak. After peeling it open, there is a soft meat wrapper and white rice inside the shell, which is shaped like a fish eye. Matures in July and August.

Ancient medical books say that Gorgon fruit is a delicacy that "can keep infants young and the elderly long-lived". It is "tonic but not harsh" and "prevents dryness but is not greasy", making it the preferred food for autumn tonic.

The effects and side effects of Gorgon Fruit

Nutrition of Gorgon Fruit:

1. Gorgon fruit is rich in starch, which can provide heat energy for the human body. It also contains a variety of vitamins and carbon substances, ensuring the nutritional components required by the body;

2. Gorgon fruit can enhance the absorption function of the small intestine, increase the urinary xylose excretion rate, and increase serum carotene concentration; experiments have shown that the increase in serum carotene levels can reduce the incidence of lung cancer and gastric cancer, greatly reducing the chance of cancer.

2. Lotus seeds:

Lotus seeds, also known as lotus seeds, lotus seeds, and water lotus seeds. It is the mature seed kernel of the perennial herb Nelumbo nucifera of the Nymphaeaceae family. It is ellipsoidal or spherical in shape, with a diameter of 0.8 to 1.4 cm and a length of 1.2 to 1.8 cm. The surface is yellow-brown to reddish-brown with fine longitudinal lines and wider veins. The center of one end is a nipple-like protrusion, dark brown in color, with many cracks, and its surrounding area is slightly sunken. It is hard, has a thin seed coat and is not easy to peel off. There are 2 cotyledons, which are yellow-white, thick, with gaps in the middle and green lotus seed core. Odorless, sweet and slightly astringent.