Euryale

Botanical

What is it

Euryale ferox (fox nut, Qian Shi, makhana) is an aquatic plant whose starchy seeds are eaten as a snack across India and East Asia. The seeds are also used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for urinary and digestive complaints.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Whole-grain-equivalent snack

Limited Evidence

Fox nut is a satiating, low-fat, gluten-free starchy snack. Specific clinical health benefits beyond a healthy diet pattern are not established.

How it works

The seeds are predominantly starch with some protein and small amounts of minerals. Popped or roasted seeds are a low-fat, gluten-free snack. Polysaccharide and polyphenol fractions of the seed have been studied in animal models for antioxidant and metabolic effects. In TCM, Qian Shi is described as astringent and is used for urinary frequency, diarrhea, and certain reproductive complaints. Modern controlled human evidence is limited.

Dosage

Culinary use is in normal snack portions (1-2 ounces). TCM doses for whole seed are 9-15 g in decoction. Extract products vary; no consensus modern dose has been published.

When and how to take it

Eat as a snack anytime. Traditional TCM decoctions are taken twice daily.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Popped/roasted fox nut (makhana)

Popular snack across South and East Asia.

Standard culinary form.

Dried seed (Qian Shi)

Used in TCM formulas.

Traditional TCM preparation in decoction.

Safety

Fox nut as a food is widely consumed and considered safe. Extract products have limited long-term safety data. Mild GI symptoms occur occasionally.

Who should be cautious

Generally safe in pregnancy as food. People with allergies to aquatic plants should check ingredient lists. Concentrated extracts should be used cautiously without specific guidance.

Interactions

No well-characterized drug interactions.

Food sources

Fox nut (popped)

Amount
1 oz (about 1 cup popped)
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Is fox nut a healthy snack?⌄

Yes, in normal portions. It is low-fat, gluten-free, and provides slow-digesting starch and some protein.

Will it help my bladder?⌄

TCM uses it for urinary frequency, but controlled human evidence is limited. See a clinician for persistent urinary symptoms.

References

Euryale on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Euryale on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Euryale (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.