Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is an aquatic plant with an upright stalk up to 1.5 meters long of the Nelumbonaceae family, native to India, often confused with the water lily despite being a different species. Its rhizome is processed in Japanese cuisine, while its starch-rich seeds are used to treat fever and diarrhea. Lotus is also believed to be antioxidant and to help prevent diabetes.

Grows well in rivers, ponds, and lakes up to 2.5 m deep. Lotus grows at temperatures of 25-30°C and requires about 6 hours of sunlight per day. Average annual rainfall between 2,000-2,800 mm/year. Requires loamy soil with a pH of 6-6.5.

• Root found in the mud at the bottom of the pond, rhizome visible with a 1.5 m stalk tube-shaped with a cavity in the middle.
• Leaves circular-shaped, wavy at the edges with leaf veins gathered in the middle and the surface coated with wax, diameter up to 60 cm.
• Flowers seen above the water surface, pure white, yellow or pink in color with a diameter of 20 cm.

Propagated generatively (seed). Prepare seeds, slightly slice the black seed coat then soak and change the water 2 times a day. Place the container near a window, after 2 weeks transfer to soil media.

Alkaloid, flavonoid, phenolic, saponin, steroid, β-sitosterol, campesterol, β-amyrin, stigmasterol, isofucosterol, dehydrolanosterol, fatty acids (linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid and linolenic acid).

Antioxidant, prevents diabetes, obesity and viral infections, treats hepatitis B, liver, heart problems, lowers blood pressure, addresses gastroenteritis, vomiting blood, cough and internal heat, nosebleeds, vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery.

• Peel the lotus fruit skin then soak the seeds.
• Steam the seeds then dry with a drying machine at 65ºC for 48 hours.
• Grind the dried seeds into powder then sift.
• Store in a clean, airtight container

Seroja