Lotus/Kamal - 25+Health benefits, application, chemical constituents, side effects and many more

Lotus/Kamal

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is a perennial aquatic basal eudicot belonging to a small family Nelumbonaceace, which contains only one genus with two species. It is an important horticultural plant, with its uses ranging from ornamental, nutritional to medicinal values, and has been widely used, especially in Southeast Asia. Recently, the lotus obtained a lot of attention from the scientific community. An increasing number of research papers focusing on it have been published, which have shed light on the mysteries of this species. 

Lotus is the species of lotus that has historical cultural and spiritual significance. It's a sacred flower in both Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the path to spiritual awakening and enlightenment. It was also an important symbol in ancient Egypt, where it represented the path from death to rebirth to the afterlife.

Acharya Bhavmishra mentioned three varieties of Kamal on the basis of its color Red, White & Blue which are same in properties. The white variety of Kamal is considered to be Pundareeka, similarly the red variety is known as Koknada & blue variety as Indivera. White variety (Pundareeka) is superior than other two Synonyms of Pundareeka are Shweta patra, Sharad & shambhu vallabh. Pundareeka is best for Pitta & Rakta dosha.

It shows anti-oxidative, astringent, emollient, diuretic, anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-aging, anti-ischaemia, anti-viral, antimicrobial, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and hepatoprotective effects.  

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It has different names in different languages such as Hindi name(Kamal),  English name(Sacred Lotus),  Marathi name(kamal),  Tamil name(Taamarai, Taavarai),  Telugu name(Tamara Puvvu),  Kannada name(Padma, kamala, Taavare),  Malayalam name(Tamara),  Arabian name(Kati Sunnail, Katilun hal),  

Parts of plants used

whole plant is medicinally used, mainly flowers, seeds, tuber and stamens

Vitamin and Mineral content

Vitamin : B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, C

Minerals : Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc

• seeds contain proteins of high quality and are rich in variety of essential amino acids including high contents of albumin (42%) and globulin (27%), they also contain unsaturated fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus and other trace elements. They also provide water-soluble polysaccharides, alkaloids, flavonoids, superoxide dismutase and other bioactive components.

              - Lotus seed also contain particularly large amounts of vitamins, including VB1, VB2, VB6 and Vitamin E.

• Sacred lotus leaves are rich in alkaloids, essential oils, organic acids, and flavonoids, especially quercetin. Stamens are abundant in flavonols, including kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and their glycosides, while flavonoids and anthocyanidins are mostly found in the flowers. Moreover, alkaloids, procyanidins, polyphenols, and polysaccharides are highly presented in sacred lotus seeds.

• Bioactive constituents of lotus are mainly alkaloids and flavonoids. 

• Presences of various alkaloids have been reported from the entire plant including nuciferine, neferine, lotusine, isoliensinine, quercitin, isoquercitrin and flavinoids. 

           - The seeds of N.nucifera contain 2-3% oil comprised of myristic, palmitic, oleic and linoleic acid. 

           - Lotus leaf contains several flavonoids and alkaloids, and flavonoids are considered to be one of main components of lotus leaf. 

           - A recent study has revealed that eight flavonoids and its glycosides areisolated from lotus leaf, including isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin, quercetin-3-O-β-Dxylopyranosyl-1,2-β-D-glucopyranosyl glycosides, astragalin, chrysoeriol-7-O-β-D-glucoside, isoquercitrin and hyperin.

          - Nor-nuciferine, nuciferine, remerine, remerine and armepavine, were isolated from Leaves and petioles. 

• study showed that the polyphenols content in lotus seed epicarp increased along with the ripening, and showed strong anti-oxidation activity

• Besides of the physical factors, several thermo-proteins, which showed high stability under high temperature, were also indicated to be helpful. These proteins include CuZn-SOD, 1-CysPRX, dehydrin, Cpn20, Cpn60, HSP80, EF-1α, Enolase1, vicilin, Met-Synthase and PIMT 

Properties and Benefits

• Rasa (Taste) – Kashaya (astringent), Madhura (sweet), Tikta (bitter)
• Veerya (Potency) – Sheetala (Cold)
• Guna (Qualities) – Laghu (lightness), Snigdha (unctuousness), Picchila (stickly)
• taste conversion after digestion – Madhura (sweet)
• Effect on Tridosha – Balances Kapha and Pitta Dosha.
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• It cures the diseases of Kapha and Pitta. It is a good heart tonic & blood coagulant. It is used in Daha (burning sensation) it is cooling to the body, allays thirst, visa (poisoning) and for local application in skin ailments
• Tarpana – Nourishing, calming
• Varnya, Varnakrut – improves skin colour and complexion

Indicated in:

• Raktapitta  – bleeding disorders like nasal bleeding, Ulcerative colitis and menorrhagia
• Shrama – tiredness
• Arti – Bodyache
• Bhranti – dizziness, psychosis
• Santapa – Burning sensation
• Visphota – skin boils
• Daha – Burning sensation
• Trushna – Excessive thirst
• Visha – toxic conditions involving bleeding, boils, burning sensation and gastritis
• Visarpa – Herpes
• Diarrhea, dysentery, ulcerative colitis, IBS with diarrhea
• Burning urination
• useful in treating diabetes and neuropathy.

Lotus leaves 

• Hima – coolant
• Tikta – bitter
• Kashaya – Astringent
• Indicated in:
• Daha -burning sensation
• Trushna – excessive thirst
• Mutrakruchra – Difficulty in urination, dysuria
• Guda Vyadhi – piles, fistula
• Raktapitta – bleeding disorders

Lotus seed pod

• Lotus seed pod – karnika , Seed Head
• Tikta – bitter
• Kashaya – astringent
• Madhura – sweet
• Laghvi – lightness
• Sheetala – coolant
• Mukha Vaishadyakrut – cleanses mouth
• Useful in:
• Trushna – excessive thirst
• Asra – Blood vitiation disorders

Lotus seeds

• Lotus seeds – Kamala Beej, Padmabeeja
• Nutritious, sweet, causes Snehana – oily, Raktasangrahi (improves blood cell count), Garbhasthapaka – promotes safe pregnancy and coolant.  

Lotus stamens

• Lotus stamens – Kinjalka, Padma keshara
• Sheetala-coolant
• Vrushya – Aphrodisiac
• Kashaya – astringent
• Grahi – absorbent
• Kaphapittahara
• Indicated in
• Trushna – thirst
• Daha – Burning sensation
• Raktarsha – bleeding piles
• Visha – toxic conditions
• Shotha – inflammatory conditions.

Lotus stalks

• Lotus stalk – Mrunala / Kamalanala
• Sheetala
• Madhura – sweet taste
• Vrushya – Aphrodisiac
• Pittahara – balances Pitta
• Daha, Asrahara – useful in burning sensation and blood imbalance disorders.
• Guru – heavy to digest
• Durjara – Hard to digest
• Stanyaprada – improves lactation
• Anila-Kaphaprada – increases Vata and Kapha Dosha.

Lotus rhizome

• Lotus rhizome – Shaluka
• Sangrahi – absorbent
• Madhura – sweet taste
• Rooksha – dryness
• Probably similar to lotus stalk in qualities.

Uses, Benefits and Application

1) Lotus rhizome and its extracts have shown diuretic, psychopharmacological, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, hypoglycemic, antipyretic and antioxidant activities.

2) A paste of lotus petals is useful to relieve headache.  Or paste of Lotus, along with water lily, cardamom is also used for headache.

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3) All parts of Nelumbo nucifera are edible, with the rhizome and seeds being the main consumption parts. Traditionally rhizomes, leaves, and seeds have been used as folk medicines, Ayurveda, Chinese traditional medicine, and oriental medicine.

4) Kamal roots cures cough and biliousness; allays thirst, and is cooling to the body. The powdered root is prescribed for piles as a demulcent; also for dysentery and dyspepsia. It is used as a paste in ringworm and other cutaneous affections.

5) In Asia, the petals are sometimes used for garnish, while the large leaves are used as a wrap for food, not frequently eaten.

            - Lotus leaves is also used as a wrap for steaming rice and sticky rice and other steamed dishes in Southeast Asian cuisine.

6) Because of its Pitta pacifying property, lotus is extensively used in treating psychosis, maniac disorder and bipolar disorders.

7) Lotus seeds can be processed into moon cake, lotus seed noodles and food in forms of paste, fermented milk, rice wine, ice cream, popcorn (phool makhana).

8) The filaments of the lotus are given with honey and fresh butter or with sugar in bleeding piles.

          

9) An aqueous extract of the fresh rootstock of the white flowered variety is given internally for snake bite.

            - As per Charaka and Sushruta, plant in combination with other drugs is considered an antidote to snake venom.

10) The white flower is a good tonic for the heart and the brain; allays thirst; improves watery eyes; good in bronchitis and for internal injuries.

11) Root of lotus may be chewed in Krmidanta (dental caries).

12) Cow’s milk alone cooked with lotus (and instilled in eyes) removes redness, haemorrhage, pain, wound, inflammation and Ajaka.

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13) when kamal is used with Shweta-rakta chandan, Balak, Mulethi and Mustak it act as a good heart tonic.

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14) Ghee processed with the paste of stalk, stem, stamens, leaves and seed of lotus along with piece of gold and milk is known as ‘Pancaravinda’ (having five parts of lotus). It promotes strength, virility and intellect.

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15) The cold infusion (phanta) with sugar is used for heart strengthening in high grade fever.

              - To get the above benefits, lotus flower, stem or stalk is made into small pieces. Water is boiled separately. To the boiled water, when it is still in hot condition, the lotus pieces are added and kept for 2 hours. Water: lotus ratio should be 4:1. After two hours, it is macerated and filtered. This drink preparation method is called as Phanta.

16) Lotus stalk was used as probe in surgeries for sinuses.

17) Churna (powder) of Kamal kesar with sugar is given in treatment of Raktarsa (bleeding piles), Raktapradar (Metrorrhagia) and Udharwag raktapitta (bleeding disorder).

18) In cough caused by Pitta, one should use powder of lotus seeds mixed with honey. It provides relief immediately.

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19) In Ayurvedic texts, three varieties are described on the basis of its color viz., red, white & blue. Kamal is a refrigerant, being a brain tonic. It enhances the intellectual power and it promotes sleep.  

20) A unique fabric called lotus silk, from the lotus plant fibers, is produced only at Inle lake, Myanmar and in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This thread is used for weaving special robes for Buddha images called kya thingan (lotus robe).

21) While doing Swedana – sweating treatment, the eyes and heart region  of the patient is covered with lotus leaves and petals. This is because, sweating treatment induces sweat, a pitta activity. The patient may feel excess burning sensation during the procedure especially in head, eyes and heart region. Lotus being a coolant, negotiates the excess hotness of the treatment.

22) Nelumbo nucifera shows high potential for usage in wastewater treatment removing polluting compounds and heavy metals.

              - Through rhizofiltration, heavy metals – including arsenic, copper and cadmium – can be removed efficiently from the water.

23) The lotus rhizome and seed could not only be consumed as vegetables, but are also used for lotus propagation, whereas, the flower lotus is mainly applied in ornamentation and environmental improvement. 

24) The seeds can be popped like popcorn, ground into powder, and eaten dry or used in bread making. The roasted seeds can be used as coffee substitute.

25) In north and eastern regions of India, the stalk of the flower is used to prepare a soup called "kamal gatte ki sabji" and starter called "kamal kakdi pakode". In South Indian states, the lotus stem is sliced, marinated with salt to dry, and the dried slices are fried and used as a side dish. 

26) Lotus root cooked in sesame oil mixed with cow’s urine should be used in retention of urine associated with severe pain.

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27) Rhizome of Kamal is used as local application in skin ailments.

28) Powder of blue lotus root and sugar mixed with honey and also sprinkle with cold water. It is soothing and removes pain.

29) For pigmentation and scars of face : The flower is made into fine paste and applied to the face once daily. This enhances the complexion and lustre of the face. 

          - Black spots and freckles are relieved by this.

30) The fried seeds are taken similar to any nuts. Seeds are crushed and by adding little coconut and sugar (or jaggery) it is consumed. This is a very good nutritive and improves body.

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Side effects

1) causes Constipation

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Refrence :

1) H.M. Anawar; A. Garcia-Sanchez; M. Tari Kul Alam; M. Majibur Rahman (2008). "Phytofiltration of water polluted with arsenic and heavy metals". International Journal of Environment and Pollution. 

2) Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015; 2015: 789124. Published online 2015 Dec 30.  PMCID: PMC4710907

3) Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Aug; 20(15): 3680.  Published online 2019 Jul 27.  PMCID: PMC6696627

4) Molecules. 2020 Aug; 25(16): 3713.  Published online 2020 Aug 14.  PMCID: PMC7463813

5) Charaka Samhita

6) Sushruta Samhita

7) Bhavprakash Nighantu

8) Dhanvantari Nighantu

9) Raj nighantu 

10) Local tradition and knowledge

11) Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2016;4(8):43-51

12) J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2010 Jul-Sep; 1(3): 311–319.  PMCID: PMC3255414

13) NCBI

14) PUBMED

15) The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India.

16) Sasikumar Dhanarasu. et al. / Asian Journal of Phytomedicine and Clinical Research. 1(2), 2013, 123 - 136

17) Journal of Agricultural Technology

18) Indian J.Pharm.Biol.Res. 2013;1(4):152-167.  ISSN: 2320-9267