Lotus

Last Editorial Review: 6/11/2021
Other Name(s):

Blue Lotus, He Ye, Kamal, Lian Fang, Lian Xu, Lian Zi, Lian Zi Xin, Lotier, Loto, Lotus Bleu, Lotus d'Égypte, Lotus des Indes, Lotus d'Orient, Lotus Sacré, Nelumbo caspica, Nelumbo komarovii, Nelumbo nelumbo, Nelumbo nucifera, Nelumbo speciosum, Nymphaea nelumbo, Padma, Padmoj, Sacred Lotus, Semen Nelumbinis.

Overview

Lotus is a plant. The flowers, seed, leaves, and parts of the underground stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine.

Lotus flowers are used to stop bleeding. Lotus seeds are used for disorders of the digestive tract, including diarrhea.

How does work?

There is not enough information to know how lotus might work.

Uses

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of lotus for these uses.

SLIDESHOW

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Side Effects

There is not enough known about lotus to know if it is safe.

Precautions

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking lotus if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Diabetes: Lotus might lower blood sugar levels in some people. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use lotus as a medicine.

Surgery: Lotus might lower blood sugar levels. There is concern that taking lotus as a medicine might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgical procedures. Stop using lotus at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions


Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Lotus might lower blood sugar in some people. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking lotus along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

Some medications for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and others.


Pentobarbital (Nembutal)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Pentobarbital causes sleepiness and drowsiness. There is some concern that taking lotus along with pentobarbital might cause too much drowsiness. However, there isn't enough information to know if this is a big concern.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of lotus depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for lotus. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

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