Semen Euryales
(English) Gordon Euryale Seed
Also known as chicken head rice, chicken head lotus, or thorn lotus, this plant is a unique and historically significant herb in traditional Chinese medicine.
The source of Semen Euryales is the seed of *Eryale ferox* Salisb., a rare aquatic plant that thrives in freshwater environments. It belongs to the family Nymphaeaceae and is commonly found in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers.
This plant is an annual aquatic herb with spiny characteristics. Its underground stem is thick and short, while its leaves are initially submerged and later become floating on the water surface. The leaves are round or shield-shaped, often reaching up to 130 cm in diameter. The upper surface is wrinkled, and the lower part has a purplish hue. The petioles and veins are covered with fine hairs that can cause irritation upon contact.
The flowers grow singly at the tip of the pedicel, rising above the water surface. They have four barbed sepals, numerous purple-red petals, and many stamens. The ovary is half-inferior and contains eight chambers, with a disc-shaped stigma. The fruit resembles a chicken's head, spongy in texture, dark purple in color, and covered with dense spikes. The seeds are spherical, about 1 cm in diameter, and black in color. Flowering occurs from June to September, and the fruits mature from July to October.
Semen Euryales is cultivated or grows wild in various regions across China, including Jiangsu, Shandong, Hunan, Hubei, and Anhui. It is mainly harvested during late autumn and winter when the fruits are fully ripe.
The harvesting process involves removing the outer peel, extracting the seeds, washing them, and then carefully peeling off the hard shell before drying. This ensures the seeds retain their medicinal properties.
The dried seeds are small and spherical, measuring 5–8 mm in diameter. Their surface features a brown-red inner seed coat, with a yellow-white end and a distinct pitted umbilical mark. The inner seed coat is white, and the seed is hard with a powdery, white cross-section.
Chemically, Semen Euryales contains starch, protein, fat, carotene, and vitamins B1, B2, and C. It has a slightly sweet and astringent taste, and its nature is considered neutral.
In traditional use, it is believed to strengthen the kidneys, solidify essence, improve digestion, and reduce dampness. It is used to treat conditions such as nocturnal emissions, frequent urination, diarrhea, spleen deficiency, chronic leukorrhea, and other related symptoms. Due to its calming and nourishing effects, it is also sometimes used for insomnia and mental fatigue.
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