Lotus seeds are more common in our daily life, but many people do not know what foxnut is, so many people may confuse lotus seeds with foxnut. So, is foxnut the same as lotus seeds?
Is Foxnut the Same as Lotus Seeds?
No, it is not.
Foxnut and lotus seeds have similar appearances and similar effects, but they have fundamental differences. Foxnut is not lotus seeds. Foxnut is a medicinal herb with a neutral nature, sweet taste, and astringent properties. It has the effects of nourishing the kidneys, consolidating essence, invigorating the spleen, and stopping diarrhea. It is similar to lotus seeds, but they are not the same herb.
Difference in Origin
Lotus seeds are the dried mature seeds of the lotus plant in the Nymphaeaceae family. The best lotus seeds are large, round, and plump.
Foxnut is the dried mature seed kernel of the foxnut plant in the Nymphaeaceae family. The best foxnuts are evenly plump, have a powdery texture, and have no breakage or impurities.
Difference in Appearance
Foxnuts are spherical in shape, mostly broken, with a reddish-brown inner seed coat on the surface. One end is yellowish-white with depressed navel-like marks. When the inner seed coat is removed, it appears white, with a hard texture and a white, powdery, slightly fragrant cut surface.
Lotus seeds are oval or spherical in shape, with a light yellow or reddish-brown surface, fine longitudinal lines, and wider veins. One end has a nipple-like protrusion in the center, which is dark brown, and most of them have cracks.
Difference in Effects
Foxnut has the effects of nourishing the kidneys, consolidating essence, invigorating the spleen, stopping diarrhea, invigorating the middle, benefiting qi, dispelling dampness, and stopping excessive vaginal discharge. It is mainly used to treat symptoms such as spleen deficiency diarrhea, slippery essence, nocturnal emission, frequent urination, turbid urine, and excessive vaginal discharge. It is often used in combination with Chinese herbs such as Chinese yam, white atractylodes, and Poria cocos.
Lotus seeds have the effects of nourishing the kidneys, consolidating essence, invigorating the spleen, stopping diarrhea, and nourishing the heart and calming the mind. As they enter the heart and kidneys, they can nourish the heart blood, nourish the kidney qi, and harmonize the heart and mind, thus having a calming effect. They are commonly used for symptoms caused by the disharmony between the heart and kidneys, such as restlessness, palpitations, and insomnia.
Difference in Suitable Population
Lotus seeds are commonly used for people with restlessness, palpitations, and insomnia caused by the disharmony between the heart and kidneys, as well as for people with spleen deficiency, long-term diarrhea, poor appetite, spleen deficiency excessive vaginal discharge, nocturnal emission, and slippery essence. Lotus seeds can be combined with sour jujube kernel, biota seed, Poria cocos, and other herbs to have good effects in nourishing the heart and calming the mind.
Foxnut is suitable for people with spleen deficiency diarrhea, long-standing diarrhea, thin and yellow excessive vaginal discharge, kidney deficiency with seminal emission, lumbago and weak knees, and slippery essence. When combined with lotus seeds, it has better effects in nourishing the kidneys and invigorating the spleen. Foxnut can also be combined with white atractylodes, Poria cocos, and other herbs to have the effects of dispelling dampness and stopping excessive vaginal discharge, invigorating the spleen, and stopping diarrhea.
