Blue Lotus: Ancient Remedy for Modern Euphoria

History:
Blue Lotus has a long history of use and adoration across the continents. It has been used by many cultures including those of the Egyptian, Myan, Syrian, and Thai peoples.
The ancient Egyptian peoples are most well known for their love of the Blue Lotus flower, they have even discovered the flowers laid upon the body of King Tut inside of his tomb.
Women and pharaohs would wear head dresses adorned with Blue Lotus flowers and they had many uses for it in both social and spiritual practices.
The flowers of Blue Lotus would be infused into wines- this preparation would be used during gathering thought to be what would be considered an orgy and durings piritual practice because of its euphoria inducing effects.



Medicinal Properties:
Blue Lotus is adaptogenic; meaning it will adapt to the needs of the person taking its medicine. For example; if you are in need of deep relaxation it will act in that way- but if you are in need of a little bit of energy it will not make you tired.
Its effects are diverse:

• Anti Anxiety
• Caming nervine
• Its anti spasmodic (contains a compound called nuciferan)
• Pain relieving
• Anti inflammatory
• Treats gastrointestinal discomfort (indigestion, diarrhea, nausea)
• Aids in restful sleep
• Aphrodisiac
• Remedy for erectile dysfunction
• Supports PMS symptoms​

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Effects:
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Blue Lotus does not produce a strong and overly heroic effect. It is subtle and divine.
When imbibed upon it produces a mildly euphoric effect, raising awareness and tranquility. Calming anxiety and tension, it is wonderful during social gatherings when one might feel overwhelmed. It calms frayed nerves.
Blue Lotus offers and supports introspective work too. Aiding in meditation and raising intuition. 
Blue lotus evokes vivid dreams that serve to unwind stuck subconscious and conscious patterns. Healing dreams is the best way I know how to put it.
Blue lotus can enhance tactile stimulation too. Giving a warmth and comfort to touch, acting as an aphrodisiac and is wonderful to use during love making.
In ancient Egypt it was used as an entheogen during religious ceremonies because of its effects on the pineal gland which allows us to reach higher levels of consciousness and connection to the divine spirit.

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​How to Use Blue Lotus:

• As a tincture or elixir (I make a beautiful elixir which can be found here)
• You can smoke the petals (some folks like to mix it in with cannabis for an extra relaxing effect)​
• You can find resinous extracts which will have a much stronger effect
• It is delicious infused in wine (recipe below)

Recipe: Blue Lotus infused wine:

Ingredients:

• 1-2 ounces of dried blue lotus petals or flower heads
• 1 bottle of wine (white or red- a dry wine like pinot noir or pinot grigio works nicely for 

this)

Process:
Grind down flowers using a mortar and pestle, scissors, or a coffee grinder. You want the petals to be fine but not a powder.
Add the ground petals to a quart sized mason jar. 
Fill jar with wine.Save corked wine bottle. Shake vigorously. You want to get it oxygenated.
Allow to soak in a cool dark place for at least 2 weeks. You can soak it for up to a month.
Shake daily.
Once ready to drink strain through a mesh strainer. I like to strain a second time through cheesecloth so that there isn't a lot of sediment. 
Using a funnel or lipped measuring cup pour the strained wine back into the wine bottle. Label and enjoy.


Cultivation:

Blue Lotus is an aquatic plant. It grows best in zones 10-12, but can be cultivated in a greenhouse in other growing zones. 
Blue Lotus flowers will bloom for 3-5 days and will move with the sun and close at night, much like a sunflower, which is why ancient people deemed it the sacred flower of the sun god.

To grow from seed:
Things You Will Need

• Loamy soil without any fertilizers 
• Waterproof container
• White sand
• Blue Lotus seeds

Process:

1) Place 2 inches of soil in the bottom of a waterproof container at least 6 inches tall. Slowly add warm water until it reaches about 1 inch above the top of the soil. Allow the soil to settle and then press it down gently to compact it.
 
2) Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil on the floor of the container. Space them evenly, at least 1 inch apart, with no two seeds touching each other. Lightly sprinkle a thin layer of white sand over them.
 
3) Keep the container in a warm, sunny location until the seeds sprout in several days. The sprouts look like thin grass initially. Wait until a sprout forms one or two leaves that float on the surface of the water before you pluck it out. Plant it in a separate container and then once the leaves mature more move it to deeper water, about 10-15 or so inches.
Tips

• You can propagate blue lotus by dividing their rhizomes more easily than with seeds. Plant the pieces of rhizome in small containers in spring, then set each container under 9 to 16 inches of 70-degree-Fahrenheit water.
• You can purchase blue lotus seeds commercially, but when your flowers are growing, you can produce your own. After the lotus blossom is pollinated, the flower head moves underwater to develop a spongy berry-type fruit. The fruit contains seeds that are released into the water as the fruit ripens. They sink into the soil beneath the water to germinate.

Although I am a community herbalist and healer I am not a medical doctor. I am not attempting to diagnose or treat major medical conditions or offer medical advice. These statements are not approved by the FDA.