The blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea), also known as blue water lily, is a beautiful flower that originally comes from ancient Egypt, where it was cultivated along the river Nile. The plant had been of great spiritual and cultural importance for the ancient Egyptians, often appearing in artwork and acting as a symbol of certain deities. It was also associated with royalty, having also been found in King Tutankhamun's shrine.
There's a lot more to this fascinating flower, however. We'll walk you through all the various uses we have for blue lotus to show you how much we have in common with the ancient Egyptians. We'll even show you how to grow and prepare it yourself!
HISTORY OF THE BLUE LOTUS
The history of the blue lotus goes back all the way to ancient Egypt. There, more than 3000 years ago, the plant had been widely cultivated at the banks of the Nile for its beauty and intoxicating effects. Considered a sacred plant, closely linked with Egyptian deities like Osiris, Nefertem and Ra, blue lotus had also been used as a religious sacrament, along with being a component of a recreational “feel good” tincture.
From Egypt, the plant made its way into the rest of the ancient world, from the Roman Empire to Britannia and Greece, even getting as far as India. In time however, as the ancient world faded into history, the blue lotus flower had been forgotten. This changed when findings by archaeologists in modern times re-ignited the interest in the sacred flower from the Nile. In the early 19th century, with ancient tombs being discovered and Pharaohs being unearthed from their eternal resting places, researchers wondered about the numerous depictions of the blue lotus in almost all the tombs. It became clear that the blue lotus had a deep importance, and the flower of the Nile once again had rose into the spotlight.
WHAT IS BLUE LOTUS GOOD FOR?
• APHRODISIAC
Many people use blue lotus as a sort of aphrodisiac, although modern medicinal research hasn’t confirmed its usefulness in this aspect. Early research, however, suggests nuciferine, an alkaloid in the plant, may particularly help enhance sexual performance.
• PROMOTES A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP
The blue lotus has also been long-used for its purported ability to help people get a good night’s sleep. Specifically, users say that it provides them with a relaxed sensation, and that resulting relaxation helps them get better sleep at night.
• MAY RELAX MUSCLES & SOOTHE DISCOMFORT
Research on this subject has been performed it is believed that two of the main compounds in blue lotus, the alkaloids apomorphine and nuciferine may assist with muscle control.
• LUCID DREAMING
Blue lotus is among these plants that is said to help people to induce or enhance lucid dreams. People report that tea or a tincture made from the flowers consumed before bed time or using blue lotus in a vaporizer helps them enhance their dreams.
• CAN WORK AS A TENSION REDUCER
The flower has also been long-used by people when they are feeling tense and restless. They say that the plant produces a mild high similar to that from consuming cannabis. With this effect, the blue lotus can be good alternative for those with a low tolerance to THC.
• MOOD BOOSTER
Its popularity as an aphrodisiac since ancient times, along with the reported mildly relaxing effect, suggests that the plant may work as a natural mood booster. So, if someone you know is feeling down and low, the blue lotus may possibly be a good herbal supplement to suggest them.
BLUE LOTUS CHEMISTRY
Chemical analysis of the blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) shows that the plant contains more than 20 different antioxidants including phenols, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones and anthocyanins. These are present in all parts of the plant, with the highest concentrations in the leaves and the flowers. Most importantly, the blue lotus contains the two alkaloids apomorphine and nuciferine.
Apomorphine has been described as a psychoactive alkaloid and non-selective dopamine agonist, meaning it can bring on happy feelings. It can also help with tension. Nuciferine is another plant alkaloid with similar effects, albeit non-psychoactive.