Semen Nelumbinis


荷花與蓮子

荷,屬於睡蓮科,是中國相當悠久古老的植物,古人稱盛開的荷花為芙蓉或芙藻,含苞待放的則稱為菡萏。詩人李白所寫的「清水出芙蓉」,就是指天然沒去雕飾的荷花。

一般人喜歡荷,因為她從上到下都有用處:荷花美麗可觀賞;荷葉可以為食物增添美味,例如荷葉杞子蒸水魚;莖部,即是蓮藕,清脆爽甜;當荷開花後結出的種子-蓮子,兩者用來入饌都鹹甜皆宜,廣受男女老少喜愛。

當然,除了美觀和美味,荷的藥用價值更受人稱許。無論是花蕊、蓮鬚、蓮蓬(成熟的花托)、荷葉、荷梗、藕節、蓮子,以至蓮子的青嫩胚芽心,全部都可以入藥。其中最為人熟識的應是蓮子。蓮子性味甘,澀,平,藥理作用清心益腎,固脾止瀉 ,有收斂,鎮靜和輕微的滋養作用。臨床應用於清心火而寧神,治腎陰不足而致的心腎不交,表現為精神煩躁,睡眠不寧,心悸,煩熱,口乾,尿赤,或有夢遺。蓮子有清心火(清熱鎮靜)功用,輕症可配百合,生薏米,沙參,以水煎服即可。

使用注意:有實熱積滯和大便秘結者慎用蓮子。


余大夫 (資料由余仁生中醫師提供)


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