Lotus Seed
연자육 (蓮實) · Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.
Spirit-calming herb
Neutral-cold
Sweet
Spleen, Kidney, Heart
NatureNeutral-cold
TasteSweet
MeridiansSpleen, Kidney, Heart
Part usedSeed
FamilyNelumbonaceae
CategorySpirit-calming herb
Overview
Every part of the lotus gets its own name in the Donguibogam's careful botanical account — leaf as ha, stem as ga, unopened flower as hamdam, opened flower as buyong, the fruit as yeon, the root as u — a plant so useful the text calls the whole its own "general name," buyeo.
In the Donguibogam
東醫
寶鑑
寶鑑
性平寒, 味甘, 無毒. 養氣力, 除百疾, 補五藏, 止渴, 止痢, 益神安心. 多食令人喜.
Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon (Herbology volume)
TranslationIts nature is neutral-cold, its taste sweet, and it is non-toxic. It nourishes qi-strength, removes the hundred illnesses, tonifies the five viscera, stops thirst, stops dysentery, and boosts the spirit and calms the heart. Eating it often makes a person joyful.
Traditional functions
- Calms the spirit
- Tonifies the five viscera
- Stops chronic diarrhea
- Relieves thirst
Traditional applications
- Restlessness or unsettled mood
- Chronic or lingering diarrhea
- General weakness
- Thirst
Traditional preparation
Decoction 8–20g of the steamed seed, or eaten as a traditional dessert ingredient.
Cautions
Caution: The classics note raw seeds can cause bloating and should be steamed before eating; the seed's bitter green embryo (yeonsim) is recorded separately with its own cooling effect. Consult a professional.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Donguibogam name every part of the lotus separately?
Yes — leaf, stem, unopened bud, open flower, fruit, and root each get their own classical name, with "buyeo" as the general term covering the whole plant.
What is lotus seed's main traditional use?
Calming the spirit and tonifying the body broadly — the Donguibogam credits it with nourishing qi, calming the heart, and even making a person joyful when eaten often.
Sources
- 동의보감 탕액편 (원문) — 한문 원문 발췌 — 한의학고전DB 탕액편 대조 검증 완료 (DATA-001)
- 한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 국역 참조 후 자체 재서술 (LEGAL-001)
DonguiHub is an educational and informational platform about the history and tradition of Korean medicine. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about health conditions and before using any herb.