Lotus seeds snack exporter

Company : TL TRADEWINDS LTD.

Address : 275 moo 18, Sripattana Road, Nog
Muang, Muang District, Surin Province
32000,THAILAND
Tel. no. : (+66) 85-4909653
Website : www.tl-tradewinds.com
Contact : Mr.Thana
Products : crispy lotus seeds, dried lotus seeds
snack,lotus seeds paste,Crispy grain

LOTUS SEED: FOOD AND MEDICINE

by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon
The lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a fresh-water plant that grows in semitropical climates. It
originated in India and was brought to other countries, ranging from Egypt to China, about 2,000
years ago. It is cultivated extensively in Southeast Asia (mostly in China), primarily for food, with
much smaller amounts for herbal medicine. All parts of the plant are utilized, but the primary
reason for its current widespread cultivation is to collect the rhizomes (sometimes referred to as
roots) and seeds. The whole plant is harvested in late summer when the seeds have matured.
The rhizomes are a food used extensively in China and Japan, sold whole or in cut pieces, fresh,
frozen, or canned. They are consumed as a vegetable, usually fried or cooked in soups. Japan is
one of the primary users of the rhizomes, representing about 1% of all vegetables consumed
there. Japan grows its own lotus but still has to import 18,000 tons of lotus rhizome each year, of
which China provides 15,000 tons.

Lotus seeds (lianzi) are a major product of

southern China, though production figures
are not available. There is substantially less
weight of the dried seeds per plant than the
weight of the fresh rhizomes, so the total
production quantities may be on the order
of a few thousand tons. Additionally, lotus
leaves are used as a flavoring and a
wrapper for rice preparations in making dim
sum; the plumules (large seed cases) are
dried for use as decorations. Lotus stems
are used in preparing salads and the dried
flowers are used in cooked dishes, such as
Mandarin Duck and Lotus Flowers; the fresh
flowers are a common decoration. The
bitter lotus embryos within the seeds, and
the lotus stamens are primarily used as
medicines rather than foods.
LOTUS SEED AS FOOD
The seeds are roasted or candied for eating directly; made into a paste for producing sauces and
cake fillings (in mid-Autumn it is customary to serve "moon cakes" which have a filling made of
lotus seeds and walnuts); and cooked in soups, usually with chicken or beans. An example of the
latter is a soup presented at banquets for newlyweds, made with red beans and lotus seeds. Red
beans (hongdou) represent strength, while lotus seeds (lianzi) symbolize the newlyweds being
blessed with a child each year. The soup is also presented at the New Year's festival.
Red Bean and Lotus Seed Soup

14-ounce package red beans (also known as adzuki beans)

1.5 ounces lotus seeds

1 piece dried tangerine skin, soaked in hot water 10 minutes until soft

3/4 cup brown sugar

In a large pot, combine 7 cups cold water, red beans, lotus seeds and tangerine skin. Bring to a
boil over high heat, reduce heat and simmer, covered, with pot lid slightly ajar, for 1 and 1/4
hours to 1 and 1/2 hours or until beans become tender. When beans are tender and open, and
lotus seeds soften, add sugar; stir. Turn off the heat, pour into a heated tureen and serve. Makes

6 servings. Because the soup is sweet, it is also served as a desert. Another desert preparation
is:
Cream Lotus Seed Soup

8 ounces lotus seeds

8 ounce can of crushed pineapple

4 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup of sugar

8 maraschino cherries
Soak the lotus seeds in water overnight; combine drained lotus seeds and 3 cups water and
bring to boil over medium heat for 15 minutes; remove from heat and drain. Smash the cooked
lotus seeds in a blender and pour the resulting paste into a big bowl. Dissolve the cornstarch in
four tablespoons of water, pour into a small cup and set aside. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil
over medium heat in a non-stick pot, then add the sugar, salt, pineapple, and lotus paste. Return
to a boil and mix in the cornstarch liquid. Stir constantly until smooth and thickened. Reduce the
heat and simmer for one minute. Remove from heat, pour into a large bowl, place pieces of the
cherries on the top and serve hot. Makes 6 servings.
Yet another example is this one with lotus and longan:
Sweet Lotus Seed Soup Dessert

9 ounces lotus seeds

3.5 ounces longan

3 ounces rock sugar

tsp bicarbonate soda

Put dried lotus seeds into a basin. Put just enough cold water to cover the lotus seeds and add
bicarbonate of soda. Set aside for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Drain, then wash thoroughly. Bring 5 cups of
water to a boil. Add soaked lotus seeds and cook until the seeds turn soft. Add dried longan and

rock sugar. Simmer until longan turns soft and sugar dissolves. Serve this dessert either hot or
cold. In Asia, this mixture is flavored with pandan leaves (two leaves are added during the last
few minutes of simmering the longan and sugar).
NUTRITIONAL VALUE
Lotus seeds have been analyzed to determine their nutritional value. In 100 grams (yielding
about 350 calories of energy), there are 63-68 grams carbohydrate (mostly starch), 17-18 grams
of protein, and only 1.9-2.5 grams fat; the remainder is water (about 13%), and minerals (mainly
sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus). As a protein source, lotus seeds are relatively
good, with a one ounce serving (of dried seeds) providing 5 grams. The seeds are low in fiber
and not a good source of vitamins. All the recipes given above are very low in fat, but high in
carbohydrates.
MEDICINAL USES OF LOTUS SEED AND OTHER LOTUS PLANT PARTS
Lotus seeds are classified as astringents, being sweet and neutral, and benefiting the spleen,
kidney, and heart. The sweet taste and nourishing qualities of the seed are responsible for the
benefit to the spleen; this helps stop diarrhea associated with qi deficiency. The astringent quality
helps prevent loss of kidney essence, so the seeds are used to treat weak sexual function in men
and leukorrhea in women. The seed also has calming properties that alleviate restlessness,
palpitations, and insomnia (more so in the whole seed with embryo). The medicinal dosage is 615 grams when it is combined with other herbs that have similar applications and double that
when used as the main ingredient (the amount in the bean and lotus soup is about 7 grams per
serving and in the cream lotus soup and sweet lotus desert about 37-40 grams per serving).
As an example of a therapy for diarrhea, one ounce of lotus seed is soaked in warm water for a
few hours, then an adequate amount of rock sugar is added (to taste), and the mixture is
simmered until the lotus seeds are well done. To this thick soup a cup of tea-made by steeping 5
g of black tea in boiling water-is added to yield the medicinal food. Traditional herb formulas for
diarrhea are described in the next section.
Inside the seed there is a green embryo that is quite bitter; it is usually removed before the seed
is provided as a food product. The embryo (lianzixin; heart of the lotus seed), is classified as
bitter and cold and benefiting the heart; it dispels pathogenic heat from the heart to treat fidgets
and spontaneous bleeding due to heat. The bitter components are isoquinoline alkaloids with
sedative and antispasmodic effects. The alkaloids dilate blood vessels and thereby reduce blood

pressure. Small amounts of the alkaloids are found in the seeds with embryo removed, and
these may contribute an antispasmodic action for the intestines, helping to alleviate diarrhea.
The lotus leaves (heye) are also bitter, but neutral, and are said to benefit the stomach, spleen,
and liver. They are used for treatment of summer heat syndrome and dampness accumulation;
they also contain the lotus alkaloids with hypotensive effect. Lotus leaf has become popular for
lowering blood lipids and treating fatty liver; it is commonly combined with crataegus, which
promotes blood circulation and lowers blood fats, for that purpose. Lotus stems (hegeng) are
used medicinally in the same way as the leaves for treatment of summer heat and are used also
to treat tightness in the chest due to obstruction of qi circulation.
Lotus stamen (lianxu) is sweet, astringent, and neutral, benefiting the heart and kidney; it is
mainly used for preventing discharge, such as treatment of leukorrhea or for frequent urination. It
contains flavonoids and a small amount of alkaloids. Lotus nodes, the rhizome nodes (oujie), are
astringent and neutral, benefiting the liver, lung, and stomach. They are mostly used to control
bleeding. All the parts of the lotus have some antihemorrhagic effect, but the rhizome nodes are
relied upon for that purpose specifically. The active component for reducing bleeding is not yet
established, though quercetin and other flavonoids may play a role by improving capillary wall
strength. By charcoaling the lotus plant parts, as is sometimes done, a hemostatic effect is
assured, as charcoal itself has this effect (it promotes blood coagulation).
TRADITIONAL FORMULAS WITH LOTUS SEEDS
There are some well-known traditional formulas relying on lotus seeds as an important
component. The best known is Sheng Ling Baizhu San (Ginseng and Atractylodes Combination),
which is comprised of lotus seed, ginseng, hoelen, atractylodes, licorice, coix, dolichos,
dioscorea, cardamon, atractylodes, and platycodon. The herbs tonify the spleen and aid
circulation of moisture. The formula is indicated for weak digestion with chronic diarrhea. First
described in the Hejiju Fang (1110 A.D.), Shen Ling Baizhu San has been made into a popular
patent remedy.
Another lotus seed formula is Qipi Tang (Lotus and Citrus Combination), which is also a therapy
for weak digestion leading to diarrhea. The formula contains lotus seed, ginseng, atractylodes,
hoelen, licorice, alisma, dioscorea, citrus, and crataegus. All the ingredients are used to improve
digestion and aid circulation of moisture to alleviate diarrhea. The formula Sishen Tang (Four
Wonders Decoction; also called Dioscorea Combination) is made with lotus seed, dioscorea,

hoelen, euryale (a seed from a relative of lotus), and coix. It is used for indigestion and diarrhea,
and is considered a mild sedative.
A formula using lotus seed for a different application is Qingxin Lianzi Yin (Clear the Heart Lotus
Seed Drink; or simply, Lotus Seed Combination), comprised of lotus seed, ginseng, astragalus,
ophiopogon, plantago seed, lycium bark, hoelen, scute, and licorice. It is used for urinary
disorders, including urinary stones, kidney inflammation, and urinary tract infection; it is also used
for disorders of the reproductive organs, such as prostatitis and leukorrhea. The formula
addresses a combination of dampness accumulation (ginseng, astragalus, lotus seed, hoelen,
and licorice tonify the spleen to aid moisture circulation; plantago seed and hoelen drain excess
moisture) and heat (lycium bark, scute, and ophiopogon clear heat, and are selected for persons
of weaker constitution). The damp-heat syndrome leads to tenderness, swelling, and pain in the
lower abdomen, urinary irregularity, and discharge of fluids.
Another astringent formula is Jinsuo Gujing Wan (Pill of Golden Lock; also called Lotus Stamen
Formula), comprised of lotus stamen and lotus seed, dragon bone, oyster shell, tribulus, and
euryale. All the ingredients have some astringent properties. Its basic function is to restrain (like a
lock) any further loss of essence due to disease or aging. It is often used for urinary disorders,
especially frequent urination and turbid urine. Jinsuo Gujing Wan, first described in Yifang
Jijie (Analytic Collection of Medical Formulas, by Wang Ang, 1682), has been made into a
popular patent remedy.