23 Amazing Benefits Of Lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera) For Skin, Hair, And Health
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Are you hearing of nelumbo nucifera for the first time? What? You have never heard of the lotus—India’s national flower? Yes! Nelumbo Nucifera is the botanical name of lotus! This beautiful flower is not only India’s national flower but is also the national flower of Vietnam. In fact, lotus has religious and cultural significance in many Asian cultures. Here in this post you will explore many benefits of lotus root.
In our country, we consider lotus as a sacred flower. Hinduism, Buddhism, and many other major religions of the world consider lotus as the sacred flower, which holds an important religious significance. The other names for lotus are ‘Kamal’ and lotus root is called as ‘Kamal Kakdi’ in in Hindi, ‘Tamara’ in Telugu, ‘Thamarai’ in Tamil, ‘Tamara’ in Malayalam, ‘Tavare’ in Kannada, ‘Motunkamal’ in Gujarati, and ‘Komol’ in Bengali.
In This Article
Benefits Of Lotus Root
But the lotus is much more than its beauty! It also has several benefits to offer. Read on for more interesting information about amazing lotus root benefits for skin hair and health.
Lotus Benefits For Skin
Today, we suffer from unprecedented pollution. No wonder the skin begins to look dull and aged soon. And to make things worse, the use of cosmetics harms our skin unknowingly. The solution lies in using natural ingredients. That is the reason why more and more people are turning towards herbal products to keep their skin healthy and beautiful. Nelumbo nucifera or lotus is one of the natural ingredients that can be used to get healthy skin. Some of the benefits of lotus root for the skin are:
1. Rich in Antioxidants:
Rich in antioxidants, the fragrant Nelumbo nucifera acts as a skin conditioner.
[ Read: Best Sources Of Antioxidants ]
2. Acts as a Moisturising Agent:
Its properties intensely hydrates and moisturises the skin and helps in increasing skin elasticity and complexion, erasing fine lines, fading brown spots and wrinkles.
3. Heals Flaky and Dry Skin:
Many cosmetic and skin care products use nelumbo nucifera as their leading ingredients. It provides instant hydration to the skin. So, if you feel your skin is flaky and dry then use this herbal hydration to get that enviable glow.
4. Prevents Acne Breakouts:
Are you worried about your oily skin? Nelumbo nucifera’s external use can balance your oily skin and prevent acne and pimple breakouts.
5. If you are looking for some relief after a day filled with stress and anxiety, then try nelumbo nucifera. It is used to make perfume, and its oil is used in aromatherapy—the effective way to unwind and give your skin the time to rejuvenate.
Lotus Benefits For Hair
Today, we all are concerned about our hair—hair fall woes have become the favorite object of hate. It’s not so surprising that many of us are turning towards nature to find a cure for our hair problems. Nelumbo nucifera provides herbal hair care with no side effects!
6. Conditions Hair:
Many conditioners contain nelumbo nucifera extracts. Apply a conditioner containing nelumbo nucifera to offer your hair that natural shine and relief from split ends.
7. Adds Volume and Natural Shine:
Nelumbo nucifera helps to increase the volume, strength, and elasticity of the brittle hair. So if you have dull, limp hair then grab nelumbo nucifera extract for the health of your tresses.
8. Prevents Premature Graying:
Oh! The horrors of premature gray hair! Why don’t you try lotus essential oil? According to researchers, the oil stimulated melanin synthesis in gray hair (1), (2). Melanin is the pigment that gives hair its color.
This means that lotus essential oil usage can also prevent the occurrence of gray hair. It is because the oil can regulate the hair’s melanin content.
Lotus Root Health Benefits
Nelumbo nucifera have astringent, diuretic, emollient, antifungal, antimicrobial, antipyretic, antibacterial, and anti-steroidal, cardiotonic, antiviral, anticancer, anthelmintic, anti-obesity properties. Some of the health benefits of this plant are:
9. Ayurvedic Use:
All parts of nulumbo nucifera are used in traditional medicine. The seeds and stems are used in Ayurvedic medicine. It treats a wide variety of health issues.
10. Cures Bleeding Disorders:
The leaves of nelumbo nucifera have been used to treat excessive sweating, fever, bleeding disorders, nosebleed and blood in urine.
11. Treats Fungal Infections:
Nelumbo nucifera’s stem has been used to treat skin diseases like fungal infection and ringworm, smallpox, leprosy, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, dysentery, etc.
12. Reduces Skin Inflammation:
Rectal prolapsed can be treated by the young leaf. The leaf paste reduces skin inflammation and fever.
13. Supports Fertility Longevity:
Nelumbo nucifera improves male and female fertility.
14. Reduces Cholesterol Levels:
It helps in reducing cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
[ Read: How To Reduce Your Cholesterol Levels ]
15. Reduces Risk of Anemia:
Lotus root has a significant content of iron and copper, and they play a major role in the production of red blood cells, decrease the risk of developing symptoms of anemia and increase blood flow. Hence, this root helps in stimulating blood circulation and increases organ oxygenation (1). It also boosts functionality, vitality and energy levels because the circulation of blood is well stimulated.
16. Rich in Potassium:
Lotus root is rich in potassium, which is a vasodilator. This means that it helps in keeping blood vessels relaxed as well as aids in increasing blood flow by reducing the rigidity and contraction of these vessels. It also lowers the strain that is put on the cardiovascular system. Potassium also helps in balancing the fluids in your body properly and thwarts the effects that come with the presence of excessive sodium in your bloodstream (2).
17. Ease Bowel Movements:
You have read that lotus root has a substantial amount of dietary fiber. This makes it a great aide in bulking up stool and facilitating bowel movements. It also lowers the symptoms of constipation and enhances the absorption of nutrients through the digestive and gastric juice secretions. It provides stimulation to peristaltic motion in the smooth muscles of the intestines to ensure that your bowel movements are easy and regular. This, in turn, prevents hemorrhoids.
18. Rich in Vitamin C:
One of the vitamins that lotus root is most rich in is Vitamin C. 73 percent of your body’s requirement of this vitamin is provided by 100 grams of this root. Being a powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C benefits your body in many ways. It helps get rid of free radicals in your body and prevents the onset of dangerous conditions such as heart disease and cancer. It is an integral part of collagen that helps in maintaining the strength and integrity of blood vessels, skin, and organs. Vitamin C is also a major catalyst for the immune system.
19. Promote Brain Development:
Pyridoxine is a member of the B-complex vitamins. It has a direct interaction with neural receptors in the brain that have an influence on your mood as well as your mental state. It also controls headaches, stress levels, and irritability. While the lotus flower has been a symbol of peace and tranquility for centuries, it is the root that actually provides it!
20. Improves Heart Health:
Keeping your heart healthy is the best benefit of lotus root. Along with potassium’s vasodilating efficacy and dietary fiber’s ability to scrub away cholesterol in the body, the pyridoxine that you get from lotus root also controls homocysteine levels in the blood, which has a direct connection to heart attacks.
21. Aids in Weight Loss:
If you are looking to lose weight, lotus root is a superb food to add to your diet. It is low in calories, and as you have already read, it has loads of fiber and essential nutrients. When your body gets all the important nutrients that it needs, you feel full for a longer duration and avoid the problem of overeating, thus managing your weight effectively.
22. Good for Respiratory Disorders:
Research indicates that lotus root may have beneficial effects on the respiratory system. It is said to help in cleansing and providing strength to the respiratory system. It can be brewed as a hot tea to provide relief from cough as it can melt the accumulated mucus. It is also consumed as juice for the treatment of respiratory diseases like tuberculosis and asthma.
23. Treats Stomach Problems:
Drinking lotus root juice that is mixed with ginger can be used as a highly effective treatment for inflammation of the intestines. If you are vomiting blood, bleeding can be prevented, whether it is in your stomach or your esophagus. If there is blood in your stool, bleeding in the intestine, stomach and rectum can be prevented as well. If you suffer from any of these problems, drink this healthy juice and gain relief.
Lotus Root Nutrition Facts
In terms of 100 gms of nelumbo nucifera contain:
- Calories – 74 cal
- Dietary fiber – 13 %
- No cholesterol
- Vitamin C – 73 %
- Good amount of copper and iron
- Low in fat
- Contains Vitamins B complex
- Rich in minerals and protein
In the comments below, tell us which one of these benefits is really effective or What was your experience? If you know any other benefits of lotus root, share below.
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