Lotus Seeds / Nelumbinis Semen (lien zi)  蓮子

Nature: Neutral, sweet, attributive to spleen, kidneys and heart.

Characteristics: The seeds of Asia's most popular plant. It is cultivated and the whole plant including the root, the leaves, the flowers and seeds are all used in cooking as well as in medicine.

Therapeutic effects: Strengthen the spleen and relieve diarrhea; benefit the kidney to preserve essence, keep the heart-fire and the kidney water in balance; tranquilize the mind. Used for impotence, insomnia, venereal diseases, diarrhea and weak heart.