Overview of the health benefits of lotus seeds
Lotus seeds are the mature seeds of lotus, a plant of the Nymphaeaceae family, and have been listed as top medicinal and food products since ancient times. Its main functions include nourishing the spleen and stopping diarrhea, nourishing the heart and calming the nerves, nourishing the kidneys and strengthening essence. Modern research has also found that it contains antioxidant ingredients. The core function is mainly tonic, and the secondary function is to clear away heat and reduce fire. It is suitable for people with spleen deficiency, diarrhea, insomnia, heart palpitations, etc. People with constipation should use it with caution and avoid eating it with cold foods.

Core Function Analysis
1.Tonify the spleen and stop diarrhea: Lotus seeds are rich in amylase inhibitors, which can improve spleen deficiency type diarrhea. The "Compendium of Materia Medica" of the Ming Dynasty records its "thickening of the intestines and stomach" effect, and lotus seeds from Jianning, Fujian are particularly famous.
2.Nourish the mind and calm the mind: Contains alkaloids such as liensinine, which has mild sedative effect. Chinese medicine doctor Zhang Zhongjing recorded in "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber" that adding lotus seeds to "Ganmai Dazao Decoction" can cure deficiency and insomnia.
3.Benefit kidney and strengthen essence: The raffinose component in lotus seeds helps improve kidney deficiency and spermatorrhea, and is commonly found in the formula of Cynomorium Gujing Pills of Tongrentang (600085.SH).

Compatible applications and products
Common combinations include:
- Lotus seeds + Gorgon seeds: enhance the anti-diarrheal effect (such as Lei Yunshang Liuwei Dihuang Pills)
- Lotus seeds + lily: enhance the soothing effect (Beijing Tong Ren Tang Anshen Brain Booster)
- Lotus seeds + Tremella: moisturize the lungs and nourish the skin (Hangzhou Hu Qingyutang Snow Pear Lotus Seed Cream)
The main products on the market include:
1. Jiangzhong (600750.SH) Houtu rice paste (lotus seeds + yam)
2. Yunnan Baiyao (000538.SZ) Yangyuanqing Shampoo (extracted from lotus seed polysaccharide)

Food taboos and scientific basis
A 2020 study by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention showed that lotus seed starch will produce trace amounts of acrylamide above 160°C, so high-temperature frying is not recommended. Patients with constipation should control their daily intake within 30g, as its tannin content reaches 9.7%. Pregnant women are advised to remove the core when consuming it, as alkaloids from the lotus root may stimulate uterine contractions.

Document tracing
1. "Chinese Pharmacopoeia" 2020 Edition 1
2. "Lotus Seed Pharmacology Research Report" 2018 by the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
3. Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University "Analysis of Nutritional Composition of Jianlian" 2019