8 Benefits of Lotus for Health

Lotus flower or what we know as a lotus flower is one of the plants that live in muddy areas, ponds, or the area begins. Interest which is the typical flower of India and Vietnam has several scientific names such Nelumbium Nelumbo, Nelumbo speciosa, Nelumbium speciosum, Nelumbo nucifera.

The characteristics of the lotus

The characteristics of the plants from the family of this nelumbonaceae include:

• Living in surface water such as ponds, swamps, and mud
• Has petals colorful like red, pink, white, purple, or blue.
• Has a fragrant aroma
• The leaves are wide
• Lotus flower stalk has a length ranging from 10 to 200 cm.
• The lotus flower has a diameter of between 10 to 20 cm
• Stamens have yellow color that filled the petals.
• Have seeds

As one of the types of aquatic plants is strong and has its own beauty, lotus flower has a wide range of benefits, such as:

1. As houseplants

Someone who has a house with an overgrown water lotus flowers will enhance the beauty of the house. Where such interest has attractive colors like red, pink, white, blue, or purple.

2. As the processed materials for various types of food

Rhizome
In some countries such as Japan, India, and Chinese take advantage of the rhizomes of the lotus flower as a viable material consumption. But keep in mind is the rhizome can be an agent that may transmit a parasite called trematodes, if the rhizomes are consumed in a raw state.

Seed
Seeds of lotus flowers have a very high starch content, which is often used in various kinds of processed foods, such as an ingredient in baking. Can also be processed to be used as a substitute for tea beverages (lotus seeds are still young).

Rod
The stem of the lotus flower can also be used as one of the ingredients of processed various types of cuisines, such as stir-fry.

Leaf
The leaves of the lotus flower is usually used as a wrapping material such as fish and other foods.

Health Benefits

Researchers have a lot of testing or research related to the benefits of lotus flowers for world health. From this research, it was found a wide variety of health benefits of lotus flower are:

1. As an antioxidant agent

Antioxidants contained in lotus flower is most likely due to the content of chemicals such as phenolics, alkaloids, tocopherol, flavonoids, phenolic, and saponins. Here are some benefits of antioxidant effects that can be taken from a lotus flower:

• Rhizome extract of this plant can help in cleaning carbon radicals found in the human body.
• The content of chemical compounds in the seeds of lotus flowers showing activity counteract the effects of free radicals, lypoxygenase, as well as anti-oxidative lipid.
• Tocopherols and phenolic compounds contained in the lotus flowers oil can contribute to the effectiveness of germs in the body.
• Flavonoids in lotus leaves can show antioxidant activity depends on the concentration of the resulting hemoglobin linoleic acid peroxidation.

2. As an agent Hepatoprotection

Flower seed extract benefits from Lotis show hepatoprotective effect on serum enzyme production and cytotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride. This extract can also provide protection against genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of aflatoxin B1.

The active compound in such armepavine lotus flower, is a compound that may have antifibrotic effects by activating pathways, namely anti-NF-kappaB. These compounds also play an active role in reducing metabolic parameters in liver fibrosis, and may help treat hepatitis B.

3. As an agent immunomodulation

Lotus flower seed extract is believed to inhibit cell cycle progression, cytokine gene expression and cell proliferation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Armepavine compounds contained in the lotus flowers can act as an immunomodulator agent such as:

• Can inhibit the proliferation of Concanavalin A-induced splenocyte
• Can help suppress cytokine RNA ekspresim displenocytes
• Can improve kidney function with decreased glomerular deposition kompleksimun and hypercellularity
• Can reduce the production of autoantibodies and T-mediated sitokinsel disera.
• Can help inhibit transkripi nterleukin-2 and interferon-gammadi human PBMC without direct cytotoxicity.

In addition, hydroalcoholic rhizome and lotus flower seed extract may increase phagocytosis, and can help the immune inflammatory reaction.

4. Can prevent infection

Several types of compounds contained in the benefits of the lotus flower can help in preventing the occurrence of various diseases caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, and fungi, such as:

• The content of ethanol in the lotus seed extract can inhibit the development of simplekstipe herpes virus 1 (HSV-1)
• The content Alkaloiddan flavonoiddariekstrak leaves to help prevent the progression of HIV AIDS virus. In addition, the content of natural compounds contained in the lotus leaf has aktivitasantijamur (such as candida) as well as agent
• Rhizome extract of the lotus flower has antibacterial activity (such as Escherichiacoli, Bacillussubtilis, Staphylococcusaureus, Bacilluspumilis, and Pseudomonus aeruginosa). Additionally, lotus rhizome extract also has anti-fungal properties (such as: albicaus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Trichophy tummentagopyhtes).

5. Can help prevent obesity

Extracts from the leaves of the lotus flower since ancient times has been widely used as natural herbal ingredients in the country of China. These contents have some health benefits, such as:

Can help reduce serum triglycerides and cholesterol.

• The content of ethanol in the lotus leaf extract can help stimulate lipolysis in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue is to involve multiple networks such as beta-adrenergic receptor mediated in the process of energy expenditure and obesity prevention (this has been tested on mice).
• Research carried out in some animals have shown that flavonoids in lotus leaf extracts can help reduce blood and liver lipids, lipid peroxidation, release of liver enzymes AST and ALT, LDL-C to HDL-C ratio, and the accumulation of lipids in the liver.
• Flavonoid from lotus leaf extract has antiatherogenic properties, namely by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells.
• Lotus leaf extract has an effect on digestive enzymes, lipid metabolism, and thermogenesis. The extract can inhibit the absorption of carbohydrates and lipids in the intestine, ie by inhibiting alpha-amylase and lipase.

6. As an anti-diabetic agent

The ethanol extract contained in the lotus rhizome can effectively help in improving glucose tolerance and the effectiveness of insulin, which can assist the body in controlling blood sugar levels. While the extract and quercetin glycosides found in the leaves of the lotus flower can inhibit enzymes are strongly associated with the occurrence of complications due to diabetes.

Meaning of Plants Lotus

Lotus flower which is the typical flower of India and Vietnam is a wonderful addition also has a variety of spiritual significance for some circles. The philosophy associated with such interest include:

• The lotus flower is white, has a philosophy as spiritual perfection. Where interest is interpreted as a symbol of purity of mind and peace of human nature.
• Red lotus flower, means or symbolizes affection and kindness. While flowers have bloomed fully has the meaning of greatness and generosity.
• Blue Lotus flowers, a symbol of science. Egyptian society believe that this flower has a meaning as control of the mind and spirit to achieve success in one's soul.
• Purple lotus flower, giving a mystical meaning, and is part of the teachings of Buddhism on 8th street in Buddhist.
• Pink lotus flower, can be interpreted as a high place, sacred, and highly respected. This flower also symbolizes the mind of someone who experienced enlightenment high.

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