BLUE LOTUS ~ Nymphaea caerulea

Blue Lotus ~ Nymphaea caerulea

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Tradition and mythology

The Egyptian culture is deeply connected with the Blue Lotus: according to the mythology, Nefertum, the Egyptian god of perfume and aromatherapy, was born from a blue lotus bud that emerged from the waters of Nun at the beginning of creation. This god is deeply associated with Nymphea caerulea, the Blue Lotus and based on one ancient legend

“Nefertum brought a bouquet of beautiful lotuses to the aging Ra to ease his suffering“_I,

The belief that this plant has healing properties is deeply rooted in popular tradition, where this flower was used for many purposes, as medicine and aphrodisiac, as a ritual herb during the ceremony or just as a beautiful ornament. According to Emboen (1989), the Blue Lotus is part of the Egyptian healing and shamanistic rituals since the 14th century B.C.₍₁₎₍₂₎

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Benefits of Blue Lotus

The effect changes according to the dosage, from sedative to mild stimulant, is good for relieving anxiety, and is a traditional aphrodisiac.

• Sedative and narcotic
• Aphrodisiac
  – increase sexual desires
  – prevents erectile dysfunction
• Anti-anxiety
• Antioxidant
• Mild-stimulant

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Apomorphine: one alkaloid for many uses

The plant contains apomorphine, a powerful alkaloid already well-known to the ancient Egyptians and with a large use in their traditional medicine.

Apomorphine is a dopamine receptor agonist and activates serotonin receptors and α-adrenergic receptors. This substance has been used for the treatment of various health disorders as₍₃₎:

• Insomnia, depression, schizofrenia
• Erectile dysfunction
• Alcohol and morphine addiction
• Treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Herbal tea with Blue lotus

One of the most popular way to consume Blue Lotus is preparing a herbal tea. The suggested dose is 1 to 5 grams of Blue Lotus for each person. Leave in infusion for 5-6 min in hot water. Blue Lotus is a mild stimulant in low dosage and sedative in higher dosage. The taste is bitter and herbaceous.

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Wine with Blue Lotus

Is theorized that Egyptians used to soak Blue Lotus flower in wine, to obtain a stronger drink.

“Harer (1985) suggested that the Egyptians used the blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) and white lotus (Nymphaea lotus) as intoxicants in a recreational context. He proposed that the flowers of these plants were immersed in wine to extract active alkaloids into a fortified (more intoxicating) drink.”

Rosalie Ann David – Egyptian Mummies and Modern Science 2008

You can read more about this topic here:

Our homemade Blue Lotus Wine

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Vaporizing Blue Lotus

Is possible to consume the flower or the extract in a vaporizer. Users describe the effects of Blue Lotus as dreamlike, euphoric, and relaxing_(II).

DOSE: for beginners is suggested less than 0,1 grams
TEMPERATURE of vaping: 100 – 125 °C

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Trade information

Possibly illegal in some countries, Latvia, Poland, and Russia, although cultivation as an ornamental is common throughout the world₍₄₎