Also called as Fox nuts , tal makhana is lotus flower’s seed. It is grown in water and is largely found in India. Also found in Korea, Japan and Russia and known as ‘Gorgon Nut’ there. It is also known as Euryale Ferox. This is an Asian water plant and is mainly cultivated for its edible seeds which look like popcorn.
Lotus seeds have been analyzed to determine their nutritional value. In 100 grams (yielding about 350 calories of energy), there are 63-68 grams carbohydrate (mostly starch), 17-18 grams of protein, and only 1.9-2.5 grams fat; the remainder is water (about 13%), and minerals (mainly sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus). As a protein source, lotus seeds are relatively good, with a one ounce serving (of dried seeds) providing 5 grams. The seeds are low in fiber and not a good source of vitamins.
- Lotus seeds are rich in anti-oxidants
- Lotus seeds are classified as astringents, being sweet and neutral, and benefiting the spleen, kidney, and heart. The sweet taste and nourishing qualities of the seed are responsible for the benefit to the spleen
- The astringent quality helps prevent loss of kidney essence, so the seeds are used to treat weak sexual function in men and leukorrhea in women.
- The seed also has calming properties that alleviate restlessness, palpitations, and insomnia (more so in the whole seed with embryo).
- It is good for pregnant as well as nursing mothers as it helps to strengthen lower back muscles
- As an example of a therapy for diarrhea, one ounce of lotus seed is soaked in warm water for a few hours, then an adequate amount of rock sugar is added (to taste), and the mixture is simmered until the lotus seeds are well done. To this thick soup a cup of tea-made by steeping 5 g of black tea in boiling water-is added to yield the medicinal food. Traditional herb formulas for diarrhea are described in the next section.
LOTUS SEED: FOOD AND MEDICINE
by Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon
Seeds, raw, lotus seeds
Nutrition facts
| popcorn | lotus seeds | |
| calories | 382 | 89 |
| calories from fat | 36 | 3.5 |
| Total fat | 4 | 0.5 |
| saturated fat | 1 | 0.1 |
| cholesterol | 0 | 0 |
| sodium | 4 | 1 |
| total carbohydrate | 78 | 17 |
| dietary fiber | 15 | |
| sugar | ||
| protein | 12 | 4.1 |
| Vitamin A | 1% | |
| Vitamin C | 0 | |
| calcium | 1% | 4% |
| iron | 15% | 5% |
Badges: low fat
Product Seeds, raw, lotus seeds Food Category Nut and Seed Products
Seeds, raw, lotus seeds nutrition facts and analysis
| Vitamins | ||
| Nutrient | Amount | DV |
| Folate | 28.00 mcg | |
| Folic acid | 0.00 mcg | |
| Niacin | 0.429 mg | 2 % |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.228 mg | 2 % |
| Riboflavin | 0.040 mg | 2 % |
| Thiamin | 0.171 mg | 11 % |
| Vitamin A | 13.00 IU | 0 % |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 1.00 mcg | |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.00 mcg | 0 % |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.168 mg | 8 % |
| Vitamin C | 0.0 mg | 0 % |
| Vitamin D | 0.00 IU | 0 % |
| Minerals | ||
| Nutrient | Amount | DV |
| Calcium, Ca | 44.00 mg | 4 % |
| Copper, Cu | 0.094 mg | 5 % |
| Iron, Fe | 0.95 mg | 5 % |
| Magnesium, Mg | 56.00 mg | 14 % |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.621 mg | 31 % |
| Phosphorus, P | 168.00 mg | 17 % |
| Potassium, K | 367.00 mg | 8 % |
| Sodium, Na | 1.00 mg | 0 % |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.28 mg | 2 % |
| Proteins and Aminoacids | ||
| Nutrient | Amount | DV |
| Protein | 4.13 g | 8 % |
| Alanine | 0.239 g | |
| Arginine | 0.338 g | |
| Aspartic acid | 0.505 g | |
| Cystine | 0.054 g | |
| Glutamic acid | 0.957 g | |
| Glycine | 0.221 g | |
| Histidine | 0.115 g | |
| Isoleucine | 0.205 g | 15 % |
| Leucine | 0.326 g | 12 % |
| Lysine | 0.264 g | 13 % |
| Methionine | 0.072 g | 7 % |
| Phenylalanine | 0.206 g | 12 % |
| Proline | 0.344 g | |
| Serine | 0.252 g | |
| Threonine | 0.200 g | 19 % |
| Tryptophan | 0.059 g | 21 % |
| Tyrosine | 0.100 g | 6 % |
| Valine | 0.266 g | 15 % |
| Carbohydrates | ||
| Nutrient | Amount | DV |
| Carbohydrate | 17.28 g | 6 % |
| Fats and Fatty Acids | ||
| Nutrient | Amount | DV |
| Fat | 0.53 g | 1 % |
| Saturated fatty acids | 0.088 g | 0 % |
| Hexadecanoic acid | 0.077 g | |
| Tetradecanoic acid | 0.001 g | |
| Monounsaturated fatty acids | 0.104 g | |
| Docosenoic acid | 0.031 g | |
| Eicosenoic acid | 0.012 g | |
| Octadecenoic acid | 0.062 g | |
| Polyunsaturated fatty acids | 0.312 g | |
| Octadecadienoic acid | 0.285 g | |
| Octadecatrienoic acid | 0.027 g | |
| Sterols | ||
| Nutrient | Amount | DV |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg | 0 % |
| Other | ||
| Nutrient | Amount | DV |
| Ash | 1.07 g | |
| Water | 77.00 g | |
Data from USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28.
Ways to relish makhana
Roast the seeds using ghee. add salt and pepper powder and a [inch of turmeric powder.
Makhana can also be added to kheer where it helps to improve the consistency and richness
Similarly, when added to rich gravies, it enhances the texture
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