Lotus Seed/Lián Zǐ 蓮子

A 2009 review surveyed traditional uses, phytochemistry and therapeutic reports for lotus seeds, rhizomes, leaves and flowers. It catalogues alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, triterpenoids and vitamins across plant parts and summarises the pharmacological activity attributed to each, concluding that the active constituents of the plant are reasonably well characterised.

A 2023 review (online 2021) focused on lotus alkaloids such as aporphines and bisbenzylisoquinolines found in seeds and other parts. Available preclinical data suggest effects relevant to obesity, diabetes, neurodegeneration and cardiovascular health, but the authors stress that oral bioavailability is low and that clinical efficacy and safety remain unclear.

A 2025 study combined chemical profiling, antioxidant assays, a meta-analysis of existing literature and network pharmacology to examine lotus leaf, petal and seed for sleep support. Lotus seed had the highest total phenolic content; the analysis pointed to alkaloids and luteolin acting through PI3K-Akt-related targets, though these predictions await clinical confirmation.

In fruit flies, a 2018 study found a water extract of lotus seed, which contained measurable GABA, tryptophan and neferine, reduced night-time activity and increased total sleep time, including under caffeine-induced arousal. The effect was linked to up-regulation of GABA and serotonin receptors, offering a preliminary mechanistic basis for its traditional calming use.