Lian Geng is the stalk of the lotus. The catalogue holds the name and nothing else.
Names
Pinyin
lian geng
Actions and indications
Clears Summerheat and resolves Damp
Summer fever with thirst, irritability, scanty dark urine, reduced appetite and a heavy, clouded head
Unblocks Qi and opens the chest and diaphragm
Stuffiness, oppression or fullness of the chest and epigastrium accompanying Summerheat
Raises the Clear Yang and harmonises the Middle Jiao
Sluggish digestion and a foggy head left behind by Summerheat
Cautions
contraindication Cold, deficient patterns, where a Summerheat-clearing herb will weaken digestion further
caution Loose stools from a weak Spleen and Stomach; the stem is neutral, not cold, so this caution is mild
caution Heatstroke needs emergency treatment, not herbs: watch for confusion, collapse, a very high body temperature, or sweating that has stopped in hot weather
pregnancy Pregnancy: the stem carries no recorded traditional prohibition, but herbs in pregnancy should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner
lactation Breastfeeding: likewise no recorded prohibition, but herbs should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner
caution Athletes who undergo anti-doping tests should take care with any product made from lotus
Interactions
Drug interactions
Beta blockers, beta agonists and heart medication: neferine and higenamine, the lotus constituents behind the concern, are concentrated in the plumule, and higenamine is also found in the leaf; the stem itself is untested, so people on these drugs should let their prescriber know before taking a formula containing lotus (precautionary)