Understanding the correct use of lotus seeds to treat insomnia.

Many people believe that eating lotus seeds cures insomnia, but in reality, if used incorrectly, it will not be effective.

Lotus seeds have long been a food and a valuable medicinal ingredient used by the Vietnamese people for generations. Many believe that eating lotus seeds cures insomnia, but in reality, if used incorrectly, they will not be effective.

Lotus is a valuable medicinal plant that has been known for a long time; all parts of the plant are used in medicine. Among them, lotus seeds have also been studied and found to have many different effects. In recent years, botanists have experimentally proven that lotus seeds contain alkaline substances and aromatic glycosides that have a sedative effect. After eating lotus seeds, the pancreas secretes insulin, making it easier for people to fall asleep.

Dr. Trinh Xuan Truong from the South Asia Traditional Medicine Hospital stated that lotus seeds (also known as Lien Nhuc or Lien Tu) have a sweet taste and neutral properties, and are effective in nourishing and strengthening the spleen, stimulating digestion, and treating bloating and poor appetite. However, lotus seeds are not very effective in treating insomnia. In fact, if used incorrectly, they may not even be effective.

Lotus seeds consist of two parts: the seed and the embryo. The embryo, the bud inside the lotus seed, is the component that is effective in treating insomnia. Traditional Chinese medicine often uses a combination of lotus embryo and seed to stimulate digestion, strengthen the spleen, and treat nervous exhaustion, insomnia, and anxiety. If the embryo is removed from the lotus seed, it will not be effective in treating insomnia. In that case, the seed will only strengthen the spleen, stimulate digestion, or treat digestive disorders. Using lotus seeds without the embryo is also very effective in treating insomnia.

Dr. Truong added that many people worry that eating lotus seeds continuously for a long time will affect their health. However, lotus seeds are a medicinal ingredient, so they won't have much of an effect if consumed continuously. The only thing to note is that when using lotus seeds to treat insomnia, physical and nervous exhaustion, you should combine both the seeds and the lotus embryo. It's best to use dried lotus seeds that retain the embryo. For headaches and insomnia alone, it's recommended to use the lotus embryo alone rather than together. Lotus seeds are neutral in nature, non-toxic, and have no special contraindications, but their use should be limited in cases of bloating, indigestion, and constipation.

Lotus seeds, in addition to being used alone to make a daily drink, can also be combined with other medicinal herbs such as licorice and Huang Tu (a type of herb) to nourish the body. Lotus seeds have high nutritional value. 100g of fresh lotus seeds contain 9.5g of protein, 30g of carbohydrates, and 0.8g of cellulose, providing the body with 162 calories. They also contain many essential vitamins: carotenoids, vitamin B1 (0.17mg%), vitamin B2 (0.09mg%), vitamin PP (1.7mg%), vitamin C (17mg%), etc. 100g of dried lotus seeds contain 20g of protein, 2.4g of lipids, 58g of carbohydrates, and 17.5g of cellulose, providing the body with 342 calories, and several important minerals (calcium 89mg%, phosphorus 285mg%, iron 6.4mg%, etc.). From lotus seeds, our people have prepared many delicious dishes with high nutritional value such as lotus seed sweet soup, lotus seed jam, lotus seed and longan sweet soup, braised pork trotters with lotus seeds, etc.

Traditional and folk medicine offers simple, non-toxic, and easy-to-prepare remedies for insomnia, such as pumpkin and sweet potato soup, lotus seed and longan tea, betel leaf tea, and kudzu root and longan juice, which help alleviate insomnia, nervous exhaustion, anxiety, stress caused by overwork, and physical weakness.

According to traditional Chinese medicine experts, lotus seeds do have beneficial effects, but to use them effectively and correctly for the right condition, professional guidance is necessary. To effectively treat insomnia, in addition to herbal remedies, those suffering from insomnia should also adopt supportive therapies to prevent sleep problems, such as avoiding overeating, refraining from stimulants like tea and coffee, and practicing gentle relaxation exercises before bed to create a relaxed state of mind and avoid stress. In cases of severe insomnia, it is necessary to consult a doctor and receive prescribed medication.

According to Suckhoedoisong.vn