Common Name: Sacred Water Lotus

General Information

Nelumbo nucifera is perennial water plant, growing from a tuberous rootstock lying in mud at the bottom of lakes and ponds. The plant produces large leaves which float on the surface of the water.
The Sacred Lotus of India has a long history of use as a food crop and medicine in tropical and subtropical Asia, where it is also seen as a symbol of purity and beauty. The plant is often cultivated for food and medicine, and is often sold in markets[, ]. A very ornamental plant[], there are many named varieties some of which have been developed for their edible uses[]. It is said that pink-flowered forms are preferred for their edible seeds whilst the white-flowered forms are preferred for their edible roots[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

W. Asia - Iran, Azerbaijan; E. Asia - Indian subcontinent, China, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines to Australia.

Habitat

Found in large lakes to 1400 metres in the Himalayas[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects, Beetles
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the subtropics and tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,400 metres, it can also be grown in cooler climates that have a hot growing season of at least 5 months[, ]. In cooler climates, however, it should be grown in shallower water, though no less than 30 cm deep, which will warm up more quickly and encourage better growth and flowering[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 25 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 40°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,000 - 2,800mm, but tolerates 700 - 4,000mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Requires a rich loam[]. Succeeds in water up to 2.5 metres deep[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, tolerating 5.5 - 7.3[].
Once established, plants can become invasive when growing in suitable conditions[].
Yields of the roots vary from 3.5 - 4.5 tonnes per hectare. Higher yields can be obtained if the flowers are removed before seed is set[].
Plants are resentful of root disturbance and should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible[].
Most forms are not cold-hardy outdoors in the temperate zone but some, especially those from far eastern provenances are much hardier and will possibly succeed outdoors in favoured areas[]. The flowers have a sweet fruity perfume[].

Edible Uses

Root - cooked as a vegetable[, , , ]. It is also a source of starch or arrowroot[, ]. Much used and relished in Chinese cooking, the root has a mild flavour[] and a crisp texture, even after cooing[, ]. It can be cooked with other vegetables, soaked in syrup or pickled in vinegar[]. The root contains about 1.7% protein, 0.1% fat, 9.7% carbohydrate, 1.1% ash[].

Young leaves - cooked or raw[, , , ]. Used as a vegetable[]. The leaves can also be used to wrap small parcels of food before cooking them[].

Stems - cooked. A taste somewhat like beet[, ]. They are usually peeled before use[].

Seed - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. A delicate flavour[]. The seed can be popped like popcorn, ground into a powder and used in making bread or eaten dry[]. The bitter tasting embryo is often removed[, ]. The seed contains about 15.9% protein, 2.8% fat, 70% carbohydrate, 3.9% ash[].

The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[].

Petals can be floated in soups or used as a garnish[].

The stamens are used to flavour tea[].

Medicinal

The Sacred water lotus has been used in the Orient as a medicinal herb for well over 1,500 years[]. All parts of the plant are used, they are astringent, cardiotonic, febrifuge, hypotensive, resolvent, stomachic, styptic, tonic and vasodilator[, , , , , ].

The leaf juice is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and is decocted with liquorice (Glycyrrhiza spp) for the treatment of sunstroke[].

A decoction of the flowers is used in the treatment of premature ejaculation[]. The flowers are recommended as a cardiac tonic[]. A decoction of the floral receptacle is used in the treatment of abdominal cramps, bloody discharges etc[].
The flower stalk is haemostatic[]. It is used in treating bleeding gastric ulcers, excessive menstruation, post-partum haemorrhage[].
The stamens are used in treating urinary frequency, premature ejaculation, haemolysis, epistasis and uterine bleeding[, ].

A decoction of the fruit is used in the treatment of agitation, fever, heart complaints etc[].

The seed contains several medically active constituents, including alkaloids and flavonoids[]. It is hypotensive, sedative and vasodilator[, ]. The seed has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and to relax the smooth muscle of the uterus[]. It is used in the treatment of poor digestion, enteritis, chronic diarrhoea, spermatorrhoea, leucorrhoea, insomnia, palpitations etc[, , , ].
The plumule and radicle are used to treat thirst in high febrile disease, hypertension, insomnia and restlessness[, ].

The root is tonic[]. The root starch is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery etc, a paste is applied to ringworm and other skin ailments[]. It is also taken internally in the treatment of haemorrhages, excessive menstruation and nosebleeds[]. The roots are harvested in autumn or winter and dried for later use[].
The root nodes are used in the treatment of nasal bleeding, haemoptysis, haematuria and functional bleeding of the uterus[].

The plant has a folk history in the treatment of cancer, modern research has isolated certain compounds from the plant that show anticancer activity[].

Other Uses

The leaves are used as plates for eating food off[].

The oil obtained from the seeds is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an emollient, humectant and sin conditioner[].
An extract of the seeds is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an antimicrobial, antioxidant, astringent, emollient, hair and sin conditioner, skin protector[].
Various parts of the plant are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations as antioxidants, skin conditioners, viscosity controllers[].

Propagation

Seed - file the seed across its centre, being very careful not to damage the flesh of the seed, and soak in warm water, changing the water twice a day until signs of germination are seen, which should be within 3 - 4 weeks at 25°c. Plant in individual pots just covered in water and increase the depth as the plant grows.
Division in spring as the plant comes into growth. Be very careful, the plants deeply resent root disturbance[].