Lián Zǐ (莲子), known in English as Lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera (seed)), is a neutral, sweet and astringent Chinese herb from the Stabilise & bind category. It enters the Spleen, Kidney and Heart channels. Its main action: tonifies Spleen, stops diarrhoea.
| Pinyin | Lián Zǐ (Lian Zi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 莲子 |
| English | Lotus seed |
| Botanical name | Nelumbo nucifera (seed) |
| Category | Stabilise & bind |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet, Astringent |
| Channels | Spleen, Kidney, Heart |
| Dosage | 6–15g |
| Cautions | Excess or constipation |
Actions
- Tonifies Spleen, stops diarrhoea
- Tonifies Kidney, secures Jing
- Nourishes Heart, calms Shen
Indications
- Spleen deficiency diarrhoea
- Kidney deficiency spermatorrhoea
- Heart and Kidney non-communication with insomnia
How to remember Lián Zǐ
Stabilise & bind herbs are mostly astringent and sweet, and most enter the Kidney channel.
- You can work these out
- Sweet, Astringent: like most Stabilise & bind herbs
- Spleen channel: from its action “Tonifies Spleen”
- Kidney channel: from its action “Tonifies Kidney”
- Heart channel: from its action “Nourishes Heart”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Stabilise & bind herbs vary in nature
Other Stabilise & bind herbs
- Wǔ Wèi Zǐ
- Shān Zhū Yú
- Jīn Yīng Zǐ
- Qiàn Shí
- Fú Xiǎo Mài
- Wū Méi
- Ròu Dòu Kòu
- Hē Zǐ
- Chì Shí Zhī
- Chūn Pí
- Fù Pén Zǐ
- Sāng Piāo Xiāo
- Hǎi Piāo Xiāo
- Lián Xū
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Lián Zǐ?
Lián Zǐ is neutral and sweet and astringent.
Which channels does Lián Zǐ enter?
Lián Zǐ enters the Spleen, Kidney and Heart channels.
What are the actions of Lián Zǐ?
Tonifies Spleen, stops diarrhoea; Tonifies Kidney, secures Jing; Nourishes Heart, calms Shen.
What is Lián Zǐ used for?
Spleen deficiency diarrhoea; Kidney deficiency spermatorrhoea; Heart and Kidney non-communication with insomnia.
Practise Lián Zǐ and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.