Sacred Blue Lotus
(Nymphaea Caerulea)
This amazing flower deserves it's own dedicated page.
The awe of Blue Lotus stretches back through time to ancient traditions of healing and spiritual awakening.
We are lucky enough to live in a world where the power of Blue Lotus can be delivered directly to your door.
Read on below for all the information you need to decide which products are best for you!
Preparing our beautiful Blue Lotus Flowers! by iAMBeyond Health & Wellbeing
The Enchanting Sacred Blue Lotus
The Blue Lotus Flower, scientifically known as Nymphaea caerulea or Nymphaea nouchali, is a captivating botanical wonder that has fascinated civilizations for centuries.
Originating from the Nile region in ancient Egypt and prominently cultivated in South-East Asia, especially around temples, this flower boasts a rich history, profound cultural significance, and a myriad of versatile uses.
As you embark on the journey of using the Blue Lotus Flower, let us delve into its captivating history, understand its cultural significance, explore its diverse applications, and recognize its therapeutic potential.
History and Cultural Significance
The Blue Lotus Flower has been celebrated in ancient Sanskrit, Pali, and Sinhala literary works as a symbol of virtue, discipline, and purity.
Often referred to as the sacred lily, played a pivotal role in ancient Egyptian civilization. Depicted in hieroglyphics and art dating back to the 14th century B.C., the Blue Lotus was not merely an ornamental flower but held deep symbolic meaning. 🌷 It was associated with creation, rebirth, and the cycles of life and death.
Ancient Egypt
The blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) played a crucial role in ancient Egyptian culture, holding both religious and medicinal significance. In religious ceremonies, the flower was associated with symbolism related to rebirth and the afterlife. Egyptians believed that the blue lotus had euphoric properties, and it was incorporated into various rituals to expand the consciousness. Medicinally, the flower was used to create teas or tinctures, valued for its calming and sedative effects. Additionally, the blue lotus was thought to enhance spiritual experiences, making it a staple in the ancient Egyptian pharmacopeia.
The Blue Lotus was not only revered for its spiritual significance but also cherished for its medicinal properties. Ancient Egyptians believed that consuming preparations made from the Blue Lotus could bring about a state of heightened consciousness, facilitating communication with the divine and promoting spiritual enlightenment.
Buddhism (Sri Lanka)
In Buddhism, the blue lotus holds profound spiritual symbolism. Symbolizing purity of body, speech, and mind, the flower is deeply connected to the journey towards enlightenment. Its representation in Buddhist art and teachings emphasizes transcendence – the ability to rise above the muddy waters of worldly attachments.
Beyond symbolism, the blue lotus is sometimes used as a meditative aid, believed to promote a calm and focused mind. In the context of Buddhist philosophy, the blue lotus becomes a powerful metaphor for the pursuit of spiritual awakening and the attainment of enlightenment.
Ayurveda
In Ayurvedic medicine, recognized as "Ambal" and "Neelotpala", the blue lotus is esteemed for its therapeutic and medicinal properties. Within this traditional Indian system of medicine, Neelotpala is revered for its anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties, believed to soothe the mind, alleviate stress, and promote a sense of calm. This makes it a valuable herb in formulations aimed at addressing conditions related to nervous system imbalances.
Additionally, Ayurveda recognizes Neelotpala for its digestive properties, thought to stimulate Agni, the digestive fire, thereby enhancing digestion and assimilation of nutrients. The flower may be used in Ayurvedic formulations targeting digestive disorders, promoting a healthy gut. Furthermore, the blue lotus is considered to possess anti-inflammatory properties, making it potentially beneficial in managing conditions characterized by inflammation, such as arthritis or inflammatory bowel disorders. Ayurvedic formulations incorporating Neelotpala may be prescribed to address these inflammatory conditions.
Beyond its physical benefits, Ayurveda acknowledges the importance of spiritual well-being. In this context, the blue lotus holds a special place, with its use extending beyond the physical realm to support mental and spiritual balance within the holistic framework of Ayurvedic medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Referred to as "Qing Xin Lian" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the blue lotus has found its place in the rich tapestry of herbal remedies. TCM attributes heat-clearing properties to Qing Xin Lian, making it valuable in addressing conditions associated with excess heat in the body. Its applications extend to respiratory health, where it may be used to alleviate coughs and congestion.
Additionally, the blue lotus is believed to contribute to detoxification, aligning with the foundational principles of balance and harmony within the body emphasized by traditional Chinese medicine. Through centuries, Qing Xin Lian has become an integral part of TCM's holistic approach to healing and well-being.
Botanical Details and Traditional Uses
As a freshwater herbaceous perennial plant, the Blue Lotus Flower grows on the bottom of ponds or lakes, creating a stunning rosette of leaves that float on the water's surface. The flowers, violet-blue with reddish edges, bloom during the day and have a distinct star-shaped appearance.
Beyond its ornamental value, the plant has been traditionally used in various ways. In Sri Lanka, it was once employed as a medicinal herb, and in the 1940s, villagers began cultivating it in rice fields during the monsoon season, making it more accessible.
The roots of the Blue Lotus are entirely edible, especially during the dry season when they are rich in starch. In Sri Lanka, the starchy rhizomes are turned into flour for baking bread. Lotus root juice is known for stopping internal bleeding and aiding those suffering from anemia.
Modern Uses
Blue Lotus, enriched with calming alkaloids, nuciferine, and aporphine, offers a gentle and serene experience in the midst of the constant activity of today's modern world.
Beyond its historical and cultural significance, the Blue Lotus Flower is associated today with various therapeutic benefits. These include:
- Calming and relaxing properties
- Anxiety and stress relief
- Mood enhancement
- A gentle sleep aid
Additionally, the flower has been linked to enhancing spiritual practices, such as:
- Meditation and yoga
- Lucid dreaming
- Psychic abilities
- Enlightenment
- Universal connection
- Channelling
The Blue Lotus Flower (Nymphaea caerulea) has also gained attention for its euphoric effects. While it has been used traditionally as a sleep aid and anxiety reliever, the flower is often consumed at higher doses in modern times, which can induce euphoria and associated experiences. These active effects are attributed to aporphine alkaloids like apomorphine and nuciferine, which interact with dopamine and serotonin receptors.
Why choose iAMBeyond?
The Blue Lotus has naturally mutated and hybridised over the millenia since the writings of the Ancient Egyptians, meaning that the modern flower is quite different to its ancient ancestor, which exists only in a small handful of specialist controlled environments and accessible to a select few.
However, a well-tended specimen of premium modern Nymphaea will yield all the compounds and power that the Ancients revered.
This is what we offer here at iAMBeyond Health & Wellbeing.
Our Sacred Blue Lotus is;
- Grown organically on a small farm in Sri Lanka
- Free from pesticides and preservatives
- Harvested by hand
- Naturally air-dried to preserve the quality of this beautiful flower
- Prepared and packaged in the UK
Further to this, our Blue Lotus Pre-Rolls are;
- Hand-rolled to order, to ensure freshness
- Shipped in waterproof bagging to protect and maintain the premium quality of this beautiful herb
- Rolled using RAW unbleached, organic hemp papers and unbleached filter tips to ensure a smooth and natural experience
Recipes and Methods of Use
Taken from Ancient writings and oral history
Ancient Blue Lotus Wine
Ingredients:
Dried blue lotus flowers
Red wine (of your choice)
Honey (optional for sweetness)
Method:
Take a handful of dried blue lotus flowers and add them to a bottle of red wine.
Seal the bottle and let it steep in a cool, dark place for at least 12 hours (preferably much longer, up to a few weeks). Shake the bottle at regular intervals.
Strain the wine to remove the flowers before consumption. You may also wish to add honey or another sweetener to taste before serving, as the lotus flower can impart a bitter flavour.
This ancient recipe is inspired by historical use of blue lotus in ceremonial and spiritual contexts.
Blue Lotus Tea
Ingredients:
Dried blue lotus flowers or petals
Hot water
Optional: honey/agave and lemon/lime
Method:
Steep a small handful of dried blue lotus flowers or petals in hot water for 10-15 minutes.
Strain the mixture to remove the plant material.
Add honey or agave to sweeten as desired. We also recommmend adding a citrus juice (2 teaspoons of fresh lemon or lime, etc), as there is evidence that this aids in activating the alkaloids.
Enjoy this calming and aromatic tea, which is believed to have soothing effects on the mind and body.
Smoking Blend with Blue Lotus
Ingredients:
Dried blue lotus flowers
Optional: Your choice of smoking herbs (such as damiana or mullein)
Method:
Clean the flowers and ensure removal of polutants that may have been absorbed, depending on time stored.
Grind the dried blue lotus flowers into a fine consistency, avoiding large pieces of petal or creating a 'dusty' texture (which will act as an irritant for the throat and should always be avoided)
Prepare any other chosen smoking herbs in the same way, then proceed to blend with the prepared blue lotus.
Use the blend in a pipe or rolled with unbleached papers.
The process of preparing the flowers can be quite laborious. We've taken the hassle out of this for you! Click Here to view our Pre-rolled Lotus products.
Dried Blue Lotus Tincture
Ingredients:
Dried blue lotus flowers
High-proof alcohol (like vodka)
Method:
Place dried blue lotus flowers in a jar.
Pour enough alcohol to cover the flowers completely.
Seal the jar and let it sit in a dark place for a few weeks. Shake the jar at regular intervals.
Strain the mixture, and you now have a blue lotus tincture.
For medicinal use, apply a 2-4 drops under the tongue as required (before sleep, for example). For culinary use, add a few drops to beverages or desserts for a subtle floral flavor.
Blue Lotus Infused Honey
Ingredients:
1 cup raw honey
2 tablespoons dried blue lotus flowers
Instructions:
Place the dried blue lotus flowers in a clean, dry glass jar.
Heat the honey gently in a saucepan until it becomes more fluid, but avoid overheating.
Pour the warm honey over the blue lotus flowers in the jar.
Stir the mixture gently to ensure the flowers are well immersed in the honey.
Seal the jar tightly and let it sit in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks, allowing the flavors to infuse.
After the infusion period, strain out the blue lotus flowers using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
Transfer the infused honey to a clean jar for storage.
For Medicinal uses, mix with equal parts Ghee and take a teaspoon orally, up to 3 x per day. For culinary use, try as a sweetener in tea & desserts, or as a flavorful spread.
Other applications
Blue lotus is also traditionally enjoyed as a cooking ingredient, both in its fresh and dried forms. The pods and stalks can be used to make flour for breads/pasta, added (along with the flowers) to soups/stews, or rehydrated and used in stir-fries and vegetable dishes.
These alternative applications make use of the whole flower and pod, available here.
Caution and Advice
Despite its historical use and potential therapeutic benefits, Blue Lotus products are not regulated by the FDA, and caution is advised in their consumption.
Disclaimer: Our advice and recommendations are based on the knowledge obtained by our founder, Adrian, through his varied Yoga, Ayurveda and Holistic Health training and qualifications. However, in terms of modern medicine, they do not replace the advice of a specialist medical practitioner in relation to a diagnosed health condition or associated medical advice. We believe that Modern Medicine and Metaphysical Medicine both have a place in the Holistic care of the individual, without infringing on or compromising the other. If you have any concerns or health conditions, consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating blue lotus into your diet.