Lotus Receptacle (Lian Fang)

Lotus Receptacle (lian fang, 莲房), also known as Lotus Seed Pot and Receptaculum Nelumbinis, refers to the receptacle of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., which belongs to the Nelumbonaceae family. In China, this plant is found in provinces such as Hunan, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and other southern parts of China.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Lian Fang falls under the category of ‘Herbs that invigorate the blood’ Such herbs can stimulate blood flow, aid blood circulation in cardiovascular conditions and menstrual irregularities, and to treat acute pains, certain tumours, cysts and hardened clots caused by blood stagnation.

Warm in nature, Lian Fang can help individuals with too much Cold, such as those experiencing a yin excess or a yang deficiency, to restore a harmonious yin-yang balance. Bitter in taste, Lian Fang can cleanse the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. In particular, Lian Fang targets the Liver.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) shows that Lian Fang has the following health benefits.

Lian Fang can dissipate blood stasis, stop bleeding and remove Dampness. This herb is most often indicated for the easing of uterine and urinary bleeding, as well as the easing of blood stasis after childbirth.

For example, Lian Fang can help to relieve menorrhagia, retained placenta, urine with blood, dysentery with blood stool, rectocele, haemorrhoids, eczema, metrorrhagia, threatened abortion, and abdominal pain due to blood stasis.

Also, Lian Fang can dispel summer Heat and Dampness, and can thus relieve symptoms such as diarrhoea among children, damp rashes and eczema.

The recommended daily dosage of Lian Fang is 5 – 10g, when used as a decoction or made into powder. For external application, you can pound the herb into powder for application or decoct it as a wash.

You may find Lian Fang and its supplements in herbal stores and Asian specialty stores.

There are no obvious side effects reported for the consumption of Lian Fang as of this writing.

However, we still strongly encourage you to consult your healthcare provider before deciding to add Lian Fang to your healthcare routine! 

Here is a summary for Lian Fang:

• Herb name (Chinese): 莲房
• Herb name (Pin Yin): lián fáng
• Herb name (English): Lotus Receptacle
• Herb name (Botanical): Receptaculum Nelumbinis
• Origin of species: Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.
• Part(s) of herb used: Receptacle
• Geo-specific habitat(s): Hunan, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and other southern parts of China
• Taste(s) & Properties: Bitter , astringent; Warm; Administrates the Liver Meridians
• Actions: Eases uterine and urinary bleeding; Eases blood stasis after childbirth

Wang, Y. F., Shen, Z. C., Li, J., Liang, T., Lin, X. F., Li, Y. P., … & Wang, X. Y. (2022). Phytochemicals, biological activity, and industrial application of lotus seedpod (Receptaculum Nelumbinis): A review. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, 1022794. [Accessed on 20th August 2023]

Wu, Y. B., Zheng, L. J., Wu, J. G., Chen, T. Q., Yi, J., & Wu, J. Z. (2012). Antioxidant activities of extract and fractions from receptaculum nelumbinis and related flavonol glycosides. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 13(6), 7163-7173. [Accessed on 20th August 2023]

Wu, Y. B., Zheng, L. J., Yi, J., Wu, J. G., Chen, T. Q., & Wu, J. Z. (2013). Quantitative and chemical fingerprint analysis for the quality evaluation of receptaculum Nelumbinis by RP-HPLC coupled with hierarchical clustering analysis. International journal of molecular sciences, 14(1), 1999-2010. [Accessed on 20th August 2023]