English: Lotus plumules
Chinese: 莲子心
Parts used: Dried seed plumules
TCM category: Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer HeatHerbs that cool the Blood
TCM nature: Cold
TCM taste(s): Bitter
Scientific name: Nelumbo nucifera
Use of Lian Zi Xin (lotus plumules) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Extract seed plumules and dry them.
Dosage: 2 - 5 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Removes heat from the heart and tranquilizes the mind. Restores the coordination between the Heart and the Kidney. Stop body Fluids loss and stops bleeding.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Lian Zi Xin may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Insomnia Spermatorrhea Hematemesis Delirium Restlessness Excessive thirst
Contraindications*: Not recommended for those whose body type is cold
Common TCM formulas in which Lian Zi Xin is used*
Qing Gong Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Formula key actions: Clears Heat in the Heart. Nourishes the Yin Fluids .
Conditions targeted*: MeningitisEncephalitis B and others
Lian Zi Xin is an envoy ingredient in Qing Gong Tang. This means that it directs the formula towards certain area of the body and/or harmonizes the actions of other ingredients.
In Qing Gong Tang, Lian Zi Xin is bitter and cold. It directs excessive Heart Fire downward into the Kidneys and Kidney Fire upward into the Heart to reestablish the normal
physiological connection between water and fire in the body.
Key TCM concepts behind Lian Zi Xin's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Lian Zi Xin belongs to the 'Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat' category. Herbs in this category are used to clear inflammatory and infectious conditions, referred to as 'Internal Heat' in TCM. This is why most of the herbs in this category will have both antibacterial and antiviral properties. In TCM one has too much 'Internal Heat' in their body as a result of a deficiency of 'Yin' (which is Cold in nature, see our explanation on Yin and Yang) or, more commonly, an Excess of Yang (Hot in nature). Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire treat the latter and as such tend to be Cold or Neutral in nature.
As suggested by its category Lian Zi Xin is Cold in nature. This means that Lian Zi Xin typically helps people who have too much 'Heat' in their body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Heat in their body are said to either have a Yang Excess (because Yang is Hot in nature) or a Yin deficiency (Yin is Cold in Nature). Depending on your condition Lian Zi Xin can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Lian Zi Xin also tastes Bitter. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like Lian Zi Xin tends to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Lian Zi Xin is thought to target the Heart and the Kidney. In addition to regulating Blood flow, in TCM the Heart is believed to be the store of the 'Mind' which basically refers to someone's vitality. The Kidneys do not only regulate the urinary system but also play a key role in the reproductive system and the growth and aging process of the body.