Nelumbo nucifera Sacred water lotus (Nelumbonaceae)

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Nelumbo nucifera
Sacred water lotus
(1 Page of 5)

The Nelumbo nucifera plant species is found in E. Asia. It is a member of the Nelumbonaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Sacred water lotus. Some home gardeners know the variety as Nelumbium speciosum

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Nelumbo nucifera
Common Name:  Sacred water lotus
Family:  Nelumbonaceae
Author:  Gaertn.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  1   Mature Width:  1

Habitat:  Found in large lakes to 1400 metres in the Himalayas[51].

Medicinal Information: The Sacred water lotus has been used in the Orient as a medicinal herb for well over 1,500 years[238]. All parts of the plant are used, they are astringent, cardiotonic, febrifuge, hypotensive, resolvent, stomachic, styptic, tonic and vasodilator[116, 147, 152, 176, 238, 240]. The leaf juice is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and is decocted with liquorice (Glycyrrhiza spp) for the treatment of sunstroke[218]. A decoction of the flowers is used in the treatment of premature ejaculation[218]. The flowers are recommended as a cardiac tonic[240]. A decoction of the floral receptacle is used in the treatment of abdominal cramps, bloody discharges etc[218]. The flower stalk is haemostatic[176]. It is used in treating bleeding gastric ulcers, excessive menstruation, post-partum haemorrhage[238]. The stamens are used in treating urinary frequency, premature ejaculation, haemotysis, epistacis and uterine bleeding[176, 238]. A decoction of the fruit is used in the treatment of agitation, fever, heart complaints etc[218]. The seed is sedative[176]. It is used in the treatment of poor digestion, enteritis, chronic diarrhoea, insomnia, palpitations etc[176, 218, 238]. The plumule and radicle are used to treat thirst in high febrile disease, hypertension, insomnia and restlessness[176, 238]. The root is tonic[218]. The root starch is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery etc, a paste is applied to ringworm and other skin ailments[218]. It is also taken internally in the treatment of haemorrhages, excessive menstruation and nosebleeds[238]. The roots are harvested in autumn or winter and dried for later use[238]. The root nodes are used in the treatment of nasal bleeding, haemoptysis, haematuria and functional bleeding of the uterus[176]. The plant has a folk history in the treatment of cancer, modern research has isolated certain compounds from the plant that show anticancer activity[218].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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