The Healing Power of Lotus Seeds

The lotus flower has a deep traditional significance in India and is considered to be the favourite flower of Gods. Though the flower is not used for culinary purposes, the seeds of the lotus flower make extraordinary dishes across many countries. Called makkhana locally in India, lotus seeds are versatile in the kind of nutrition they provide. The seeds that we get in the market are picked, dried extensively under the sun and are then packed to be sold. Before consumption, the heads must be broken, seeds removed and soaked overnight so that they lose their tough texture. If you want your children also to enjoy eating lotus seeds, try popping them like popcorn and serve them.

Lotus seeds have always a part of Chinese ancient medicine. Healers believed that these seeds have amazing healing powers in them and that they make the best natural medicine for gum diseases, kidney stones, sleeping disorders, sexual health problems and diarrhoea.

With zero technology they came up with wonderful medicines that are derived from lotus seeds. New age scientists revealed that lotus seeds are truly beneficial in terms of providing nutrition and also in healing disorders of the body. Here’s how these wholesome seeds can help you live better.

• L-isoaspartyl methyltransferase (MT) is one important enzyme that repairs aged proteins. When this enzyme is provided to the body, it reverses the aging process and keeps the skin young and dead-cell free. This anti-aging enzyme is found in abundance in lotus seeds. Since the seeds grow tightly under oxygen-free environments, the power of this enzyme stays intact. Cosmetic industries thrive on lotus seeds to make their beauty creams and lotions.
• Insomnia, restlessness, anxiety and many other sleep disorders can be effectively treated with lotus seeds. It was believed that Buddhist monks consumed these seeds on a regular basis to meditate peacefully without succumbing to stress and pressure. The same seeds were crushed to a fine paste and given to people who were unable to sleep for longer durations in the night. This proves how magical lotus nuts are and how they have been working well since thousands of years.
• Herbal teas made from these seeds are highly therapeutic and relaxing in nature. Chinese history mentions that the royal families always consumed lotus seed tea. The recipe was strictly for the royals and it was guarded from leaking to the common public. The tea cooled their bodies down and alleviated heat-induced digestion problems. Also a thick paste of lotus seeds is an integral part of cakes, desserts and pastries and that too was a secret until recent times. Since dessert items contain a lot of sugar and might cause cavities, lotus seeds were added to keep such problems in check. This goes to show how these nuts are a vital part of the Chinese and Japanese culinary culture and how they were actually a tough competition for the modern day medicine.
• Kaempferol, a natural and important flavonoid is found in plenty in lotus seeds. This compound plays a key role in reducing inflammation, repairing swollen gum tissues and relieving pain. Gum tissue that wears out due to age can be effectively healed with kaempferol. Crystallised and dried lotus seeds are given to the elderly to help them chew better and maintain oral health.
• When combined with other medicinal herbs, lotus seeds make great medicine to treat urinary tract infections and reproductive disorders. Ancient Ayurveda too preached about the use of lotus nuts in holistic healing and how they were used in treating sexual problems.