Stems and woodsHeat-clearingCaulis Nelumbinis

He Geng (Lotus Stem)

Q: What is He Geng? Are He Ye, Ou Jie and Lian Zi the same?

He Geng (荷梗) is the petiole or flower stalk of Nelumbo nucifera , hollow and qi-moving. He Ye is the leaf. The pharmacopoeial name is Nelumbinis Folium : bitter, astringent and neutral, clears summerheat, transforms damp, raises clear yang, cools Blood and stops bleeding. Ou Jie is sweet-astringent and neutral: astringes to stop bleeding and transforms stasis. Lian Zi is sweet-astringent and neutral: supplements the Spleen, stops diarrhea, checks vaginal discharge, benefits the Kidney and secures essence. The pharmacopoeia lists the leaf separately; the petiole is used from materia medica and local practice. Write He Geng. Use caution in qi vacuity.

Q: What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of He Geng?

Zhonghua Bencao records He Geng as bitter and neutral , entering the Spleen and Bladder channels, and acting to resolve summerheat, clear heat, regulate qi and transform damp . It is used for summerheat-damp chest oppression, diarrhea, dysentery, strangury and vaginal discharge. Hollow and qi-moving, it suits summerheat-damp with qi stagnation—not qi vacuity with sinking, or chronic diarrhea from Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold.

Q: What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a summerheat tea?

The traditional decoction dose is 9–15 g . It is not a four-season “lotus-petiole slimming tea.” Without summerheat-damp, moving qi only consumes qi. Chest oppression and diarrhea need a practitioner to name a short course; it does not replace infection and dehydration assessment.

Q: How do you choose and store He Geng?

Choose hollow stalks, yellow-green or pale yellow, light, with pores on the cut face . Moldy, moth-eaten, blackened or dirty lots are discarded. Store dry against moisture. Buy the lotus petiole labeled He Geng; do not replace resolving summerheat, clearing heat, regulating qi and transforming damp with lotus leaf or lotus node by equal weight.

A practical guide to He Geng: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

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Last reviewed Oct 13, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Caulis Nelumbinis
Chinese Name & Pinyin	荷梗 · He Geng
Medicinal Part	Stems and woods
The item	He Geng is the dried petiole of lotus. He Ye, Lian Zi, Lian Zi Xin, and Ou Jie are different parts.
Nature and channels (traditional)	Bitter, neutral. Enters the Spleen and Stomach. Bitterness clears summerheat. The hollow stalk eases the chest and disinhibits qi.
Actions (traditional)	Clears summerheat. Eases the chest. Disinhibits qi. Used for summer-damp chest tightness, focal distention, and stuck qi. For the leaf, follow the He Ye monograph: clear summerheat and drain dampness, raise clear yang, cool the blood and stop bleeding.
Pattern cues	Summer-damp chest tightness. Focal distention. No hunger.
In this article	Petiole versus leaf, seed, embryo, and node. Clearing summerheat and easing the chest versus raising yang and stopping bleeding. Why a cold middle should skip it. Who should skip it.

What Is He Geng?

He Geng (荷梗; Hé Gěng; English: lotus petiole) is the dried leaf stalk of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. The current pharmacopoeia lists He Ye, the leaf, and Lian Zi, the seed. The petiole is usually not a separate monograph. It is a traditional part specification. It is bitter and neutral. Tradition enters it in the Spleen and Stomach, and its core actions are to clear summerheat, ease the chest, and disinhibit qi. It is not He Ye. Lotus leaf is bitter and neutral; it clears summerheat, drains dampness, raises clear yang, and cools blood to stop bleeding. It is not Lian Zi. Lotus seed is sweet, astringent, and neutral; it tonifies the spleen, stops diarrhea, and secures Kidney essence. It is not Lian Zi Xin. The embryo is bitter-cold and clears the Heart to eliminate vexation. He Geng is hollow. It leans toward venting qi, easing the chest, and relieving summer-damp fullness. A cold weak spleen and sinking middle qi should not meet long single-herb tea use.

Traditionally it is used most often for three patterns:

Summer-damp chest tightness — focal distention, no hunger
Mild summer-damp diarrhea — the choice with He Ye or Bai Bian Dou belongs with a practitioner
Qi not moving freely — discomfort in the chest and diaphragm

Traditional decoction amounts are often 10–30 g. Bitter, neutral, and clearing, it is not an all-summer “lotus-stalk tea.” Clearing when there is no summer-damp injures the middle.

When summer-damp encumbers qi, chest tightness and focal distention are common. He Geng is hollow, bitter, and neutral. It clears, eases, and disinhibits qi, which is why it appears in summerheat pairings. It clears and drains more than it holds. A cold abdomen, loose stools, and shortness of breath with sinking get worse if more clearing is added.

He Geng is not a catch-all summerheat stalk, and it does not replace official He Ye in a home rewrite of a formula. In middle-cold diarrhea or when there is no summer-damp, using it alone can injure the middle. Petiole or leaf should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

He Geng: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Caulis Nelumbinis

Botanical Origin

The dried peduncle (receptacle stalk) of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (Nymphaeaceae).

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Fujian and Jiangxi.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is stout, greyish-brown, and free of rot.

Macroscopic Features

Cylindrical stalks, 20~80cm long, 0.5~1.5cm diameter; externally greyish-brown with longitudinal wrinkles and scattered spines; hollow with transverse septa.

3 Authentic Sourcing and Quality Identification

Historically, premium He Geng (Lotus Stem) comes from regions like Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian. However, quality relies heavily on the harvest timing and drying methods.

Appearance: Authentic dried stems are cylindrical, pale yellow-green to brownish-yellow, and 0.5 to 1.5 cm in diameter. They feature distinct longitudinal ridges and scattered spiky bumps on the surface.
Texture and Scent: They are lightweight, brittle, and easy to snap. A cross-section reveals a large central hollow cavity surrounded by smaller pores. It has a very mild scent and a bland taste.
How to Spot Fakes: Common substitutes are the stems of other aquatic plants (like duckweed). These fakes are usually much smaller, lack the signature spiky bumps on the outside, and do not have the distinct porous structure inside.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Bitter; NeutralLiverSpleenStomach

1. 2 Historical Records

Ancient TCM texts have long praised its gentle, regulating nature:

Ben Cao Zai Xin: Noted that it promotes Qi circulation, harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach, clears summer-dampness, and relieves tightness in the chest.
Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi: Recorded its ability to open up the chest, settle the stomach, and calm the fetus.
Lu Chuan Ben Cao: Highlighted its use for summer heatstroke, chest oppression, and damp-related diarrhea.
Note: These are historical TCM applications for regulating body balance, not modern medical treatments.

2. 3 Evolution of Pharmacological Understanding

Different historical TCM masters highlighted different strengths of He Geng (Lotus Stem):

For Digestion: Some doctors focused purely on its ability to unblock stagnant Qi in the Spleen and Stomach.
For Stability: Others emphasized its astringent nature, using it to "hold things in" (like calming a restless fetus).
For Summer Heat: Modern traditional practitioners often lean on its ability to clear summer heat and dampness, especially when people suffer from summer diarrhea or heavy chest feelings.
Takeaway: It is not a cure-all, but a highly specialized herb for regulating the flow of Qi and gently clearing out stubborn dampness.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Moves qi in the middle jiao and raises clear yang. Apply to summerheat-damp diarrhea, chest oppression, and fetal restlessness from qi stagnation.

1. 1 First Primary Action: Clearing Summer Heat and Regulating Qi

The core function of He Geng (Lotus Stem) is to clear invasive summer heat while smoothing out the Qi (energy) flow in the chest and digestive system.

Common Symptoms: It is traditionally used for "summer-dampness" conditions, such as chest tightness, abdominal bloating, poor appetite, nausea, heavy limbs, or mild irritability and low fever during the hot months.
Common Pairings: For dampness, it is often paired with Huo Xiang (Patchouli) and Pei Lan (Eupatorium). For severe chest tightness, it works well with Yu Jin (Turmeric Tuber) and Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel). If mild fever is present, it can be combined with Lian Qiao (Forsythia) and Bo He (Peppermint).
Caution: Do not use this herb for a standard "wind-cold" cold (marked by severe chills, clear runny nose, and no sweating) or if you have "Yin deficiency with fire" (dry mouth, night sweats, red tongue).

2. 2 Second Primary Action: Harmonizing the Stomach and Resolving Dampness

It is also highly valued for harmonizing the Spleen and Stomach, helping the body process and eliminate trapped internal dampness.

Common Symptoms: Ideal for digestive blocks caused by dampness, presenting as a lack of appetite, a bland taste in the mouth, sticky or loose stools, a heavy feeling in the body, mild nausea, and a thick or sticky tongue coating.
Common Pairings: To strengthen the Spleen and clear dampness, it is paired with Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) and Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes). For nausea and vomiting, it is combined with Ban Xia (Pinellia Rhizome) and Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger). For mild diarrhea, it is paired with Fu Ling (Poria) and Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed).
Caution: Avoid using this if you have "damp-heat" symptoms (such as a bitter taste in the mouth, sticky and foul-smelling stools, and a yellow, greasy tongue coating).

3. 3 Common Single Herb Pairing: The Herb Pair

A very classic TCM pairing is He Geng (Lotus Stem) and Huo Xiang (Patchouli).

Synergy: Huo Xiang is excellent at dispersing summer heat from the body's surface and stopping nausea. He Geng focuses on regulating the internal Qi of the Spleen and Stomach. Together, they powerfully clear summer dampness and settle the stomach.
Use Case: This pair is highly effective for summer-induced chest tightness, bloating, and loss of appetite. However, a practitioner should always guide its use based on your specific condition.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. 1 Main Chemical Constituents

Modern laboratory analysis shows that the lotus stem contains alkaloids (like liensinine), flavonoids (like quercetin and kaempferol), sterols, polysaccharides, and a small amount of volatile oils.

Lab Observations: In test-tube environments, these components show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In animal models, the extract has been shown to improve digestive functions. However, large-scale human clinical trials are currently lacking.

2. 2 Modern Pharmacological Focus

Current scientific research is mostly focused on three basic areas:

Antioxidant Properties: Testing how the flavonoids clear free radicals in lab settings.
Digestive Support: Observing how the extracts can promote gastrointestinal movement in animals.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Checking if it can inhibit inflammatory markers in isolated cells.

3. 3 Limitations of Modern Research

Lab vs. Human Body: Results from cells or animals do not directly translate to how a human body will react.
Extracts vs. Whole Herbs: Lab studies use highly concentrated, isolated chemicals. In daily life, people brew the whole dried He Geng (Lotus Stem), which behaves differently in the body.
Inconsistent Methods: Different studies use wildly different concentrations, making it hard to draw a single, unified conclusion.
Holistic Synergy: TCM works based on how all the natural components of an herb work together. You cannot judge the true value of the herb based solely on one isolated lab molecule.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. 2 Similarities with Comparable Herbs

He Geng (Lotus Stem) is often compared with Pei Lan (Eupatorium). Both are excellent at resolving dampness and harmonizing the stomach, both treat summer digestive issues (like nausea and poor appetite), and both are popular choices for light summer wellness teas.

2. 3 Core Differences

Nature: He Geng is strictly neutral with a bitter and astringent taste. Pei Lan is also neutral but has a spicy, pungent flavor, giving it a stronger "dispersing" or sweating effect.
Focus Area: He Geng focuses on regulating the internal Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (best for bloating and chest tightness). Pei Lan focuses on the surface of the body, pushing out external summer dampness (best for heavy, achy limbs and a heavy head).
Action Direction: He Geng gently lifts energy but also has an astringent quality, meaning it won't exhaust your energy. Pei Lan actively pushes energy outward and upward to break a sweat.
Contraindications: He Geng is unsuitable for wind-cold or Yin deficiency. Pei Lan should be avoided by those with Qi or Yin deficiency, as its dispersing nature can drain the body's baseline energy.

3. 4 One-Sentence Summary

He Geng (Lotus Stem) excels at regulating internal digestive Qi and clearing dampness, while Pei Lan (Eupatorium) is better at pushing summer heat and dampness out through the body's surface.

Classical Formulas Containing He Geng

Qing Shu Yi Qi Tang

清暑益氣湯

Formula CategoryQi-Tonifying FormulasPrimary PatternSummer HeatPrimary FunctionClear summer-heat, benefit Qi, generate fluidsRelated ConditionsFatigue & Low Energy·Fever·Dry Mouth & Throat·Poor Appetite

View Formula Profile Read Complete Guide

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

Synergy is Key: A formula is a balanced team. The healing power comes from how the herbs interact, so a single herb cannot simply replicate a full formula's effects.
Holistic Balance: The exact dosage and combination in a formula affect the entire body. Never try to mix or alter these formulas at home based on internet articles.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. 1 Home Tea or Dietary Application

Lotus Stem and Tangerine Peel Tea:
- Ingredients: 5g dried He Geng (Lotus Stem), 3g Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel).
- Method: Rinse the herbs, cut the lotus stem into small pieces, and tear the tangerine peel. Place in a cup, steep in boiling water, and cover for 10 minutes. You can refill with water until the flavor fades.
- Use Case: Great for mild summer chest tightness or loss of appetite caused by eating too many cold foods or iced drinks.
- Caution: Do not use if you have Yin deficiency (dry mouth, night sweats) or damp-heat (bitter mouth, sticky stools). Limit to 2-3 times a week, and do not drink for more than 5 days in a row.

2. 2 Preparation Differences

He Geng is typically used raw. When cooking it at home, it doesn't require special handling like pre-boiling or bagging. Despite its hard texture, its porous internal structure easily releases its active ingredients. Just boil it alongside other herbs for the standard 20-30 minutes. Note that a raw herb dosage cannot be directly translated into a modern extract or powder dosage.

3. 3 Dosage and Usage Cycle

Dosage: Standard clinical dosage is 5 to 10 grams. For daily tea or dietary use, stick to a lighter dose of 3 to 6 grams.
Usage Cycle: Stop using it once your symptoms improve. Do not use it continuously for more than 7 days. Special groups (pregnant women, children, the elderly) must consult a professional before use.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. 1 Not Suitable For

Specific Conditions: Avoid if you have a simple wind-cold (chills, clear runny nose), Yin deficiency (dry mouth, night sweats, red tongue), or damp-heat (bitter mouth, sticky stools).
Vulnerable Groups: Pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and the elderly should only use this under strict medical supervision.
Organ Health: Those with compromised liver or kidney function should consult a doctor to avoid unnecessary metabolic strain.
Allergies: Avoid if you are allergic to lotus plants.

2. 2 Drug Interactions and Dietary Notes

Interactions: It may potentially interact with blood thinners, blood pressure medications, diabetes drugs, or sedatives. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are on prescription medications.
Dietary Note: While taking this herb, avoid consuming large amounts of cold, raw, or greasy foods. These foods burden the Spleen and Stomach, completely counteracting the herb's healing effects.

3. 3 Adverse Reactions and Risks

When used at normal dosages, He Geng (Lotus Stem) is very safe. However, taking too much can cause mild gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Warning: If you experience any allergic reactions (like a rash or itching), shortness of breath, persistent vomiting, or rapid worsening of symptoms, stop use immediately and seek professional medical help.

Frequently Asked Questions About He Geng

What is He Geng? Are He Ye, Ou Jie and Lian Zi the same?

He Geng (荷梗) is the petiole or flower stalk of Nelumbo nucifera, hollow and qi-moving. He Ye is the leaf. The pharmacopoeial name is Nelumbinis Folium: bitter, astringent and neutral, clears summerheat, transforms damp, raises clear yang, cools Blood and stops bleeding. Ou Jie is sweet-astringent and neutral: astringes to stop bleeding and transforms stasis. Lian Zi is sweet-astringent and neutral: supplements the Spleen, stops diarrhea, checks vaginal discharge, benefits the Kidney and secures essence. The pharmacopoeia lists the leaf separately; the petiole is used from materia medica and local practice. Write He Geng. Use caution in qi vacuity.

What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of He Geng?

Zhonghua Bencao records He Geng as bitter and neutral, entering the Spleen and Bladder channels, and acting to resolve summerheat, clear heat, regulate qi and transform damp. It is used for summerheat-damp chest oppression, diarrhea, dysentery, strangury and vaginal discharge. Hollow and qi-moving, it suits summerheat-damp with qi stagnation—not qi vacuity with sinking, or chronic diarrhea from Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold.

How do you choose He Geng versus He Ye? Can the leaf replace it?

The petiole leans to regulating qi, easing the chest and transforming damp—chest oppression and epigastric distention. The leaf leans to clearing summerheat, raising the clear and cooling Blood to stop bleeding—summerheat head distention and bleeding from Blood heat. They cannot replace each other by equal weight. Fresh and dried petiole doses differ. Commercial lotus-leaf tea is not petiole pieces.

What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a summerheat tea?

The traditional decoction dose is 9–15 g. It is not a four-season “lotus-petiole slimming tea.” Without summerheat-damp, moving qi only consumes qi. Chest oppression and diarrhea need a practitioner to name a short course; it does not replace infection and dehydration assessment.

What are the contraindications? Can it be used in pregnancy?

Use caution in qi vacuity with sinking and chronic diarrhea from Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold. Pregnancy needs a practitioner’s assessment for a qi-regulating herb; it is not a calm-fetus herb. Stop if fatigue and worsening diarrhea appear. Dysentery with pus and blood, and high fever with dehydration, need medical care.

Can He Geng resolve summerheat, clear heat, regulate qi and transform damp?

It can help summerheat-damp chest oppression. Chest discomfort and diarrhea may join patchouli and Magnolia bark. It resolves summerheat, clears heat, regulates qi and transforms damp—not a specific for every weight-loss claim or every diarrhea.

Can He Geng be drunk daily as a summerheat, chest or slimming tea?

Summerheat-damp chest oppression may enter a short formula; qi vacuity only sinks further as it moves. “Lotus petiole must slim” does not replace diet and metabolic assessment. Resolving summerheat, clearing heat, regulating qi and transforming damp should name 9–15 g.

How do you choose among He Geng, He Ye, Huo Xiang, Su Geng and Si Gua Luo?

Lotus petiole is bitter-neutral: resolves summerheat, clears heat, regulates qi and transforms damp—summerheat-damp chest oppression. Lotus leaf is bitter-astringent and neutral: clears summerheat, transforms damp, raises clear yang, cools Blood and stops bleeding. Patchouli is acrid and slightly warm: transforms damp, stops vomiting and resolves summerheat. Perilla stem is acrid-warm: regulates qi, eases the center and calms the fetus. Luffa fiber is sweet-neutral: frees the network vessels, invigorates Blood and expels wind. Summerheat-damp qi stagnation favors He Geng; bleeding from Blood heat favors He Ye; damp obstruction with vomiting favors Huo Xiang; fetal qi disharmony favors Su Geng; network obstruction favors Si Gua Luo. They may be paired; qi vacuity forbids large He Geng, and vacuity cold forbids large He Ye.

Which herbs is He Geng combined with? What are the representative formulas?

Summerheat-damp chest oppression joins patchouli, Eupatorium and Magnolia bark. Seasonal summerheat formulas may use it as a conductor, as in Shi Bing Lun-type modifications. Write He Geng 9–15 g; do not replace regulating qi and transforming damp with lotus leaf by equal weight.

How do you choose and store He Geng?

Choose hollow stalks, yellow-green or pale yellow, light, with pores on the cut face. Moldy, moth-eaten, blackened or dirty lots are discarded. Store dry against moisture. Buy the lotus petiole labeled He Geng; do not replace resolving summerheat, clearing heat, regulating qi and transforming damp with lotus leaf or lotus node by equal weight.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.