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Lianzi (Nelumbinis Semen): It is mildly tonifying to the Heart and Spleen. It facilitates the descent of Heart Fire to communicate with Kidney Water (Kidney Yin), thereby calming the Spirit and intellect, and moistening the face from above. Due to its sweet flavor, it can harmonize the Middle Jiao; moreover, its thick consistency strengthens the intestines and stops diarrhea. It is said that its astringent property can secure against collapse, treating spermatorrhea and leukorrhea to store essence. Lianfang (Nelumbinis Receptaculum) is bitter and astringent, with a warm nature; for blood loss disorders such as metrorrhagia and strangury, it is suitable for use after stir-frying. Raw Ou (Nelumbinis Rhizoma) dispels stasis and clears heat; cooked Ou soup harmonizes blood and nourishes Yin. Regarding Lianxu (Nelumbinis Stamen), its sweet and astringent flavors solidify essence and can astringe against collapse. As for Heye (Nelumbinis Folium), its bitter and neutral properties disperse water-dampness and raise clear Yang. Fresh leaves can resolve summer-heat pathogens, with the edges being particularly effective. Dried leaves can ventilate the Spleen and Stomach, and are best used after stir-frying. Heti (Nelumbinis Pedunculus) has an ascending action, lifting the sinking of clear Yang. Oujie (Nelumbinis Rhizomatis Nodus) stops bleeding and secures against hemorrhage. (Lianzi is sweet and astringent, neutral in nature, entering the Heart, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. It tonifies while securing, thus benefiting the Middle Jiao, treating diarrhea, calming the Spirit, and securing against emission, facilitating the interaction between Water and Fire, and benefiting the Earth element. For treatment and consumption, the heart should be removed. ○ Lianfang is bitter, astringent, and warm, entering the Blood aspect of the Heart and Liver. It specializes in astringing blood. For all types of lower bleeding, hematuria, and metrorrhagia, it should be charred before use. Generally, it can dissipate stasis and secure fresh bleeding. ○ Raw Ou is sweet and cool, entering the Stomach meridian, clearing vexatious heat, stopping vomiting and thirst, greatly opening the appetite, and possessing the nature to dissolve blood stasis. All raw and cold foods are contraindicated postpartum, except for Ou, because it dissolves stasis. When steamed, it turns from white to purple, and its nature changes from cool to warm. Its function of dissolving stasis and clearing heat transforms into nourishing Yin and tonifying the Zang organs, similar to how Rehmanniae Radix has different uses depending on whether it is raw or prepared. ○ Lianxu is sweet and astringent, neutral in nature, entering the Heart and Kidney meridians, specializing in securing and holding. It can be used for conditions of Heart and Kidney insecurity. ○ Heye is bitter and neutral, fragrant in aroma, green in color, and upward-facing in shape, corresponding to the Zhen trigram (Liver Wood). Thus, it enters the Liver meridian. Since the Liver stores blood, it has the functions of dispersing blood and raising clear Yang. It also treats edema caused by water qi, transforming blood into water. Heye not only specializes in dispersing blood but also, being born in water yet not adhering to water, can treat water disorders. All summer herbs can resolve summer-heat; furthermore, Heye is light and floating above, with edges suggesting dispersion. Dried Heye can generate primal Qi, assist the Spleen, and open the stomach, so it is often included in formulas tonifying the Spleen and Stomach. ○ Heti shares the nature of Heye, but excels more in lifting and supporting. It is used for sinking of clear Qi and insufficiency of fetal foundation. ○ Oujie is bitter and astringent, neutral in nature, dissolving blood stasis and astringing fresh blood. Dissolving stasis is its inherent nature, but due to its strong astringency, its hemostatic power is especially pronounced.)