Miscarriage is a common problem presented in the clinic and is just one of a large range of women's problems associated with pregnancy. Miscarriages can occur from early into the pregnancy up until a several months, but the most dangerous months of miscarriage are the first three months. For some cases, after the first miscarriage the woman's body has not become balanced there is a chance of a second miscarriage. Finding the causes of a miscarriage and being able to save the baby is very important. It is also good for the health of the woman's body in the future. Each year we help many women with miscarriages and through our advice and treatment, assist them in maintaining a successful pregnancy to full term. Health effects of lotus seed are listed as follows:

Maintaining Healthy Pregnancy
One of the Chinese Medicine books, Ben Cao Jin Ji Zhu, and also modern TCM food diet therapy text books all mention that Lotus Seed can tonify the Spleen and Kidney to build up the body's energy, Qi and Blood and help to stop bleeding associated with miscarriage. Women who have a history of miscarriage with the symptoms mentioned above can eat some Lotus Seeds while undergoing their treatment. We suggest dishes like Lotus Sticky Rice Porridge and Lotus Red Dates Porridge. 

Tonify the body & increase energy
Lotus Seed can increase the body's energy through tonifying the Spleen and Kidney. Chinese medicine considers the Kidneys to contain the bodies original essence (obtained from parents during pregnancy) from before birth. The Spleen continues to make the body's essence from digestion. Both essences are very important for body energy, so if these two organs are weaker it will effect the body's energy, Qi and blood. This may cause the following symptoms: sluggish bowel movements, or even has a bowel movement very early in the morning (5am), sometimes has undigested food in the stool, a lack of energy, shortness of breath, palpatations especially during or after doing things, looks pale, dizziness from changing posture, abdominal bloating which is worse after eating, low back ache or pain, puffiness or a heavy feeling in the arms and legs, lower libido. If you are pregnant these symptoms may lead to a miscarriage and developmental problems for the foetus.

Recipes: Lotus Seed Sticky Rice Porridge
1 Handful of white rice
15 Lotus seeds
500ml-800ml (approx. 2-3 cups) of water
Soak Lotus Seeds for 2-3 hours before cooking
Cook rice and lotus seeds in 500ml-800ml water on simmer for 30 minutes or until the rice softens.

Effects of the dish: This dish has long been very popular as a healthy porridge dish in China since ancient times and is useful in tonifying the Spleen and Kidneys, raising the energy and help to stop bleeding from miscarriage.