text: Lotus Root - Health Benefits, Nutrition, and Recipes - Medhya Herbals
  Lotus root is a rich source of polyphenolic compounds that have multiple health beneficial effects ranging from anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and hypoglycemic properties.
  Lotus root is the rhizome of Nelumbo Nucifera. It is highly popular in Eastern cuisine, specifically in China, India, Korea, and Japan, where it is prized as a delicacy and also consumed in the herbal medicinal system.
  In India, it is known as "Kamal Kakri", "Padmanala", or "Bhe", in Japan as "renkon", and in China as "Lian Ou".
  How to cook Lotus Root? Consumption and Cooking Tips
  Lotus Root in Ayurveda
  Nutrition Value of Lotus Root – Rich Source of Antioxidants
  Lotus Root Recipe – Indian style curry with green peas
  Lotus Root Recipe – Indian style Spicy Aromatic Curry
  Lotus roots have a mild flavor and crunchy texture. They can be used in salads, fried, boiled, pickled with vinegar, or cooked along with other vegetables in soups.
  The tender roots are good to be eaten in raw form as a salad, while mature with high fiber should be cooked before consumption.
  The texture of the roots changes as they are cooked. Little boiling gives them a soft and crunchy texture, which goes well in soups and as a side dish. However, when it is boiled even more, it turns starchy and hard, hence can be ground into gravies, curries, or a thick soup.
  Lotus root or rhizome is used as a tonic in traditional medicinal systems due to its high concentration of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
  In Ayurveda, lotus rhizome is used in multiple formulations requiring diuretic and antimicrobial agents to treat urinary disorders, skin-related issues, and those for abdominal, lung, and skin infections.
  All parts of the lotus plant are used in cuisines and medicines across Asia.
  The plant has an astringent, hence toning and cooling effect on the body.
  Lotus roots are a good source of dietary fiber, low in cholesterol and saturated fats.
  It has a high concentration of alkaloids, phytochemicals, Vitamins, and Minerals, with negligible calories (100g stem provides with only 74 calories).
  Good source of Minerals as Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Iron, Copper, and Manganese
  B Vitamins as Vitamins B6, Thiamin, Riboflavin, and Niacin, and Vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid
  Good source of dietary fiber with 100g roots providing 4.9g fiber.
  It is diuretic (supports urinary system), emollient (good for skin), antifungal, and antipyretic (reduce fever) in nature.
  Support Heart Health and Prevents Inflammation
  Supports heart health and can be used as a tonic for the cardiovascular system due to a high concentration of minerals, especially Potassium.
  For its anti-inflammatory properties, lotus root finds its use in the treatment of hemorrhoids, tissue inflammation, cancer, and chronic liver-related disorders.
  The rhizomes help lower blood sugar levels and increase glucose tolerance due to a high concentration of dietary fiber and antioxidants, hence highly recommended for Diabetics
  Antimicrobial – Supports Digestive System Health
  In Chinese and Asian systems, lotus root soup is given to new mothers as it is highly nutritious and helps protect the mothers and newborn from any infections
  Supports digestive health and cures abdominal disorders such as diarrhea, chronic dyspepsia, and dysentery.
  The powder of the rhizome is used in external applications to cure skin infections of microbes such as bacteria, fungi, yeast, and ringworm.
  Supports gut flora, boosts immunity, and also flushes toxins out of the body via excretory systems such as sweat and urine.
  Prevents excessive bleeding, Cooling in nature, and Nourishes the skin
  Lotus root is an excellent ingredient for various homemade skin products, it can be applied in paste form or dry powder can also be used for the same.
  The nodes of the root are used to arrest bleeding, such as nasal bleeding, hemoptysis (blood in cough), haematuria (blood in urine), haematemesis (blood in vomit), and functional bleeding of the uterus.
  This is a delicious yet super easy lotus root recipe that requires a medium level of preparation. It is an excellent meal option for lunch and dinner. This recipe is kids friendly for its texture and taste.
  3 Medium Nodes of the lotus root About 500g
  3 tsp Turmeric Powder 2 tsp for cleaning the roots and 1 for the curry
  3 Twig of Coriander leaves For garnishing
  1½ tsp Mustard Seeds Or Panchforn (an equal mix of five seeds as Fennel, Cumin, Nigella, Mustard, and Fenugreek)
  Peel the lotus root, cut horizontally as shown in the picture.
  Add 2 glasses of water, 1 teaspoon turmeric, and a pinch of salt, and cut lotus roots in a pan and bring to boil.
  This step can also be done in a pressure cooker, which also helps to soften the roots (as they are quite fibrous and hard). The pressure cooker will take about 10 mins, while closed pan cooking may require 20-30 mins of boiling.
  Keep aside and let it cool down to normal temperature.
  Once cold, grind the roots to make a paste-like consistency in a food processor.
  Heat a pan, add mustard oil. Once the oil is a little hot, add the panchfotan and let the seeds splutter.