Evidence supporting the use of: Lotus seed
For the health condition: Night Sweating

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera), known as "lian zi" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has a long history of use in supporting various health conditions, including night sweats. In TCM, night sweating is often associated with a deficiency of "yin" or disturbance in the heart and kidney systems. Lotus seed is believed to nourish the heart, tonify the kidneys, and stabilize the essence ("jing"), which are thought to help reduce spontaneous or night sweating, particularly in cases related to "yin deficiency" or after illness.

Classical TCM texts and herbal compendiums, such as the Shennong Bencao Jing and the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu), list lotus seed as a calming and stabilizing agent, frequently used in herbal formulas for people experiencing night sweats, palpitations, or restlessness. The traditional belief is that its astringent properties help "retain the sweat" and support the body's yin fluids.

However, scientific research directly examining lotus seed’s effect on night sweating is limited. Some modern studies suggest lotus seed contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but these do not directly validate its use for night sweating. Therefore, its application for this condition is primarily justified by traditional use rather than robust scientific evidence.

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