An Instagram account named Eenteressting shared a clip of a farmer harvesting a special fruit picked from black mud.
This fruit is similar in size to a large pomegranate, with many pink seeds inside, resembling pomegranate seeds.
After just a few days of sharing, this clip has reached nearly 700,000 views. Internet users are actively discussing this fruit. Some believe it to be “water pomegranate,” while others think it is lotus seeds.
In fact, this is the water lily seeds, a flowering plant classified in the family Nymphaeaceae. This plant is commonly found in northeastern India, South Korea, Japan, China, and the eastern regions of Russia. Bihar state in India accounts for up to 90% of the world’s water lily seed production.
The water lily grows in wetlands, producing purple flowers. Its round leaves can grow to over a meter in diameter. The underside of the leaves is purple, while the upper side is green. The stem, flowers, and leaves float on the surface and are covered with sharp thorns. In India, water lily commonly grows in ponds and marshes.
Water lily seeds have many health benefits.
The seeds are harvested from the water lily fruit, which is a valuable medicinal material. The seeds are collected at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn and can be eaten raw or cooked.
In India, water lily seeds are often roasted like popcorn or cooked in porridge and used in baking. These seeds are believed to be beneficial for cardiovascular health and improve skin appearance. Additionally, they are rich in antioxidants, help treat insomnia, and are good for those with high blood pressure.
This small seed is compared to ginseng, claiming to keep you “young forever”
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is mention of a small seed that possesses countless benefits, which is the water lily seed.
Water lily is the medicinal name in traditional medicine derived from the fruit of the water lily plant. The harvested medicinal material is small, elongated bulbs with a smooth outer shell.
In our country, water lily seeds are not hard to find, sold widely at Traditional Chinese Medicine shops, with prices ranging from 290,000 to 400,000 VND per kilogram.
According to the ancient medical text “Huangdi Neijing” of China, water lily seeds are among the highest-grade medicinal materials. They are compared to ginseng and referred to as “water ginseng.” In ancient texts, they are called “the food that keeps you young forever, prolonging life.”
Notably, the kidney-tonifying and yang-invigorating effects of water lily seeds are said to be stronger than taro; their moisture-removing effects are better than red beans, and their calming effects are stronger than lotus seeds. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that water lily seeds can benefit the spleen and stomach while combating aging.
The kidney-tonifying and yang-invigorating effects of water lily seeds are stronger than taro.
Health Benefits of Water Lily Seeds
Antioxidant Properties
Research shows that water lily seeds have antioxidant effects and combat ischemia. Historical records indicate that the famous poet and writer Su Dongpo from the Song Dynasty in China consumed 10 to 30 water lily seeds daily to maintain his health, and at the end of his life, his skin remained radiant and his thinking sharp. Traditional Chinese Medicine considers water lily seeds to have a sweet flavor and neutral properties. They help nourish the kidneys, invigorate yang, strengthen essence, support the spleen and stomach, stop diarrhea, and eliminate moisture.
Cancer Prevention
Water lily seeds may enhance the absorption function of the small intestine, improve the excretion rate of xylose in urine, and increase the concentration of carotene in serum.
Experiments have shown that increased serum carotene concentrations can reduce the incidence of lung cancer and stomach cancer, as well as significantly decrease the overall risk of cancer.
Aging Prevention
Analysis indicates that 100 grams of water lily seeds contain 11.8 grams of protein, 0.2 grams of fat, and 75.4 grams of carbohydrates. They also contain essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B2, and vitamin C. Water lily seeds are rich in carbohydrates and low in fat, making them easy to digest and absorb.
Water lily seeds also contain various vitamins and carbohydrates that provide essential nutrients for the body, helping to prolong life and prevent aging effectively.
