What Are the Health Benefits of the Lotus Plant?

Lotus, also known as Nelumbo nucifera, is a beautiful aquatic plant with numerous health benefits. This national flower of India has been used in traditional medicine and cooking for centuries. This article will explore the various parts of the lotus plant and their health benefits, including an Ayurvedic doctor’s experience of how a patient used lotus seeds for weight loss

Lotus Roots: Improving Blood Circulation, Reducing Stress, Regulating Blood Pressure, and Improving Digestion

Lotus root, also known as rhizome, is a popular vegetable in Asian cuisine and a natural or powdered form used in traditional herbal medicine. This root is rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients like potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, and manganese. It also contains thiamin, pantothenic acid, zinc, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. Its antioxidant, diuretic & astringent, hypoglycemic, antibacterial, antithrombotic, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, antipyretic, hypocholesterolemic properties make it an important medicinal plant in Ayurveda.

Some of the health benefits of lotus roots include improving blood circulation, reducing stress, regulating blood pressure, and improving digestion. Lotus root stimulates blood circulation to increase oxygenation of the organs, lower the chance of developing anemia, and increase vitality and blood flow. It also contains vitamin B complex that helps control irritability, headaches, and stress levels. Additionally, potassium in lotus root helps keep a balance between fluids in the body, prevents the impact of sodium in the bloodstream, acts as a vasodilator, and reduces contraction and rigidity, which increases blood flow and decreases the strain on the cardiovascular system. The fiber in the lotus root accelerates bowel movements, optimizes nutrient absorption, and lowers constipation symptoms.

Lotus Flower: Enhancing Skin Complexion, Reducing Burning Sensation of Skin, and Beneficial in Urinary Problems

Lotus flower has medicinal properties that enhance skin complexion, reduce the burning sensation of the skin, and are beneficial in urinary problems. Applying flower paste on acne, pimples, scars, and marks improves complexion and skin color. Its paste also reduces the burning sensation of the skin, boils, and herpes eruptions. Lotus flower decoction is good for bilious conditions, menopausal problems, and bleeding disorders, and is also found to be beneficial in burning during urination and in haematuria.

Lotus Seeds: Cooling Body, Anti-aging, Weight Loss, Aphrodisiac, and Uterine Tonic

Lotus seeds, also known as makhana, have body coolant properties, and their taste is sweet, astringent, and bitter. These seeds are heavy to digest and can be consumed either raw or cooked. Lotus seeds have many medicinal properties that include being anti-aging, aiding in weight loss, being an aphrodisiac, acting as a uterine tonic, providing a nutritious diet, having an antispasmodic effect, improving metabolism, and being good for the heart.

Lotus seeds inhibit aging by the enzymes present in them, and their powdered form is used in many cosmetics formulations to gain an advantage over the process of aging. These seeds help in weight loss by filling the stomach and suppressing appetite. They are good aphrodisiacs and play a role in the improvement of erectile dysfunction, low sperm count, and low sperm motility. In Ayurveda, these seeds are used in vajikarana therapy, and they boost male fertility. Lotus seeds are good for the uterus as they help to strengthen the linings.

Lotus Seeds ( Fox nuts) for Weight Loss: A Patient’s Success Story

Lotus seeds have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries for their numerous health benefits. One such benefit is weight loss. I have a patient who came to me struggling with obesity and looking for a natural way to lose weight. She had tried various diets and weight loss supplements in the past, but nothing seemed to work for her. I recommended that she try incorporating lotus seeds into her diet as a healthy snack.
Lotus seeds are low in calories and high in fiber, which helps to keep you feeling full and satisfied. They also have a cooling effect on the body, which can help to reduce inflammation and aid in weight loss. My patient was skeptical at first, but she decided to give it a try.
She started snacking on lotus seeds instead of her usual junk food snacks. She would eat them raw or lightly roasted and seasoned with a little bit of salt. She found that they were satisfying and delicious snacks that helped to curb her cravings for unhealthy foods.
After a few weeks of incorporating lotus seeds into her diet, my patient began to notice a difference in her weight. She had lost a few kilos and was feeling more energized and healthy. She continued to snack on lotus seeds regularly and over time, she was able to lose a significant amount of weight.
Today, my patient is healthier and happier than ever before. She continues to incorporate lotus seeds into her diet as a healthy snack and has maintained her weight loss. Her success story is just one example of the many health benefits that lotus seeds have to offer.

Bihar’s Booming Makhana Industry

In a recent discussion with Rohit Gupta, the managing director of Lalas Herbal, an Ayurvedic company, we delved into the thriving makhana industry in Bihar. Gupta, whose family runs a 120-year-old Ayurvedic store near Charminar in Hyderabad, expressed his admiration for the Bihar farmers who have transformed the industry from handmade to mechanized production. The transition from handmade to machine-made makhana helped to expand the industry by increasing production and efficiency. With the help of modern technology, Bihar farmers can produce larger quantities of makhana, meet the growing demand for the product, and export it globally. The use of machines has also reduced the cost of production, making it more affordable for farmers and consumers alike.
Lotus seeds, also known as makhana, have been gaining popularity in recent years as a healthy snack. The state of Bihar has become a major producer of makhana, with farmers increasingly turning to the crop as a more profitable alternative to traditional crops like rice and wheat.
According to a report by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Bihar produced over 1,06,889 metric tonnes of makhana in the financial year 2019-20, a significant increase from the 40,000 metric tonnes produced in 2017-18. The report also states that makhana exports from Bihar have increased by 19% in the last two years, with the majority of exports going to the United States, Europe, and Australia.

The makhana industry in Bihar has provided a much-needed source of income for many farmers in the state. Makhana cultivation requires less water and fertilizer compared to traditional crops, and the demand for makhana is increasing both domestically and internationally.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the lotus plant has numerous health benefits and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. The roots, flowers, and seeds of the lotus plant have medicinal properties that can improve blood circulation, reduce stress, regulate blood pressure, improve digestion, enhance skin complexion, and much more.
Lotus seeds, in particular, have been found to be effective in promoting weight loss, boosting fertility, and improving heart health. Additionally, the makhana industry in Bihar has provided a source of income for many farmers in the state and has the potential to grow even further in the future.
As an Ayurvedic doctor, I highly recommend incorporating lotus plant-based products into your diet and lifestyle to reap the numerous health benefits that they have to offer.