Can lotus seed core be eaten

Summer is the season for lotus seeds, which have the effect of moistening the lungs and relieving inflammation. You can soak them in water and drink them. Fresh lotus seeds can also be eaten directly, but can the lotus seed cores be eaten? The lotus seed core is a small green bud that tastes a bit bitter but can be eaten directly. Lotus seed core has many functions, among which the effects of calming the mind and strengthening the heart are particularly obvious, but people with constipation are not suitable for eating lotus seed core.

Can lotus seeds be eaten?

Of course you can go to the supermarket and see if they sell it.

But usually I drink it with water

The main ingredients of lotus seed core include: liensinine, isoliensinine, methyl liensinine, nuciferine, pronuciferine, oxalicin, methyl corydaline and demethyllindermine. It also contains flavonoids such as oleanolic acid, hyperoside, and rutin.

Among them, pro-helianthine, oxaliplatin, and methyl corydaline are bitter, so the lotus seed core is bitter, and the mature lotus seed core will be more bitter.

Lotus seed heart: The lotus seed heart is the green embryo in the center of the lotus seed. It tastes bitter and has the effects of clearing heat, consolidating essence, calming the nerves and strengthening the heart. Soak 2 grams of lotus seed core in boiling water and drink it to treat symptoms such as irritability, confusion, nocturnal emission and spermatorrhea caused by high fever. It is also used to treat high blood pressure, palpitations and insomnia.

Special reminder: Although lotus seeds have many benefits, they are not suitable for everyone. For example, those who often suffer from constipation are not suitable for eating lotus seeds.

Lotus seed heart has the effect of strengthening the heart and lowering blood pressure. For people with high blood pressure, taking a small amount of lotus seed heart every day is very beneficial for stabilizing blood pressure and alleviating symptoms.

Is lotus seed heart both a medicine and food?

Lotus seeds are very common in daily life. They are a common food source in people's lives and a popular gift for relatives and friends. However, the lotus seed core, the origin of life that gives birth to lotus seeds and grows lotus roots, has an awkward identity that is difficult to get rid of. Is lotus seed core a medicine, a food, or both? This question has caused a lot of trouble for regulatory authorities.

1. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia clearly states that lotus seed core is the dried young leaves and radicle of the mature seeds of the Nelumbonucifera Gaertn. of the Nymphaeaceae family. Take out and dry.

[Properties] This product is slightly cylindrical, 1-1.4cm long and about 0.2cm in diameter. The young leaves are green, one long and one short, rolled into an arrow shape, with the tip folded downward, and a tiny embryo can be seen between the two young leaves. The radicle is cylindrical, about 3mm long, and yellowish white. It is brittle, easy to break, and has several small holes on the cross section. It has a faint smell and a bitter taste.

【Nature and flavor and meridians】Bitter, cold. It enters the heart and kidney meridians.

【Functions and indications】Clears the heart and soothes the mind, connects the heart and kidneys, astringes semen and stops bleeding. It is used for pericardial heat, coma and delirium, disharmony between the heart and kidney, insomnia and spermatorrhea, and hematemesis caused by blood heat.

【Usage and Dosage】2-5g.

The pharmacopoeia lists lotus seeds and lotus seed cores separately, and the properties and flavors of the two are quite different.

2. In the 2015 edition of the list of foods with medicinal properties published by the National Health and Family Planning Commission, lotus seeds are classified as foods with medicinal properties.

3. The reply from the General Office of the Ministry of Health on the issue of lotus core and lotus seed core extract as common food ingredients (Health Office Supervision Letter [2008] No. 858) states that "lotus core contains a variety of bioactive substances, but lacks a history of consumption and food safety certification as a separate food ingredient in my country. The composition of lotus core extract is unclear, and its safety and other data should be comprehensively evaluated in accordance with the "New Resource Food Management Measures" before it can be determined. Substances added to infant food should comply with relevant standards and regulations for infant food."

4. The Ministry of Agriculture’s “Green Food Substitute Tea” (NYT/2140-2012) includes “lotus seed core” in the fruit-based substitute tea category. However, the NY/T 2140-2015 "Green Food Substitute Tea" standard implemented on April 1, 2016 replaced the NY/T 2140-2012 "Green Food Substitute Tea". The new standard has modified the definition of substitute tea and deleted relevant expressions such as fruit substitute tea, such as lotus seed core.

So it is correct for some people to say that lotus seed core is a medicine, and it is also correct to say that it is a food. However, as for the characterization of the regulatory authorities, there is currently no specific data to give people a definite answer.

Clinical Application

The lotus seed heart is the green embryo inside the mature lotus seed kernel. It is often used by the people to make tea, which has the effect of clearing heart fire and stopping spermatorrhea. It is most suitable for patients with insomnia caused by disharmony between the heart and kidney, and yin deficiency and excess fire. From the perspective of clinical application, lotus seed heart is suitable for people with mild insomnia. If it is ineffective, diazepam can be used appropriately to control the symptoms, but long-term use of diazepam can cause great harm to the body. In addition, insomnia patients should develop better living habits, such as taking more walks after dinner, exercising more often, etc., which are very helpful for restoring sleep.