The common name blue lotus can refer to either the true lotus, Nelumbo nucifera or any of several water lily species found in Africa, Australia and Mesoamerica, including Nymphaea caerula, Nymphaea ampla, and Nymphaea nouchali. Blue lotus may also be called blue lily, white lotus, or, perhaps most telling, as far as its historical use goes, sacred blue lotus. At Sweet Smoke Herbs, we sell a 50x extract of blue lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) that can be used on its own. Blue lotus also features in several blends we offer at our shop.
The Nymphaea species listed above are water lilies which flourish in wetland habitats like ponds and lakes. They are usually blue or white (and sometimes pink), with graceful, tapering petals resting atop a base of round leaves that floats on the water’s surface. Partly because of its aesthetic beauty, blue lotus features frequently in visual art from Tibetan mandalas and statues to Classic Mayan frescoes. Blue lotus also likely held pride of place as a ritual sacrament in Egyptian religious rituals and Mayan shamanistic practices, and seems to have been an important medicine in these cultures. Plentiful discoveries of ritual art from Egypt have helped to cement the evidence that blue lotus was a common sacrament in Egyptian shamanistic healing rituals. Wall frescoes from ancient Egypt suggest that priests would take blue lotus either on its own, infused in wine, or in combination with mandrake root to induce a trance in their religious rituals.
Their art suggests that the Egyptians had deep knowledge of psychoactive plants and their effects on human beings: Egyptian mythology endows plants with human spirits and makes frequent reference to the transformative abilities priests gained under the influence of these plants. For instance, Egyptian priests believed that blue lotus gave them the ability to guide the souls of the dead and transmute souls into different bodies.
Although we sell blue lotus primarily as a smoking herb, there are a number of ways you can consume this fascinating plant. The active ingredients of blue lotus, nuciferine and apomorphine, are present in both the bulbs and flowers and can be absorbed by smoking the lotus or consuming it orally. According to some archaeological sources, a preferred technique of the Egyptians was to infuse blue lotus flowers and bulbs in wine over a few days to create a potion. There is anecdotal evidence that alcohol is best for extracting the blue lotus’ active compounds; drunk in moderation with blue lotus, alcohol may potentiate the flower’s psychoactive effects.
No matter what method of consumption you choose, expect to take between 5 and 10 grams of blue lotus to achieve a noticeable psychoactive effect. This translates to about two bowls worth of plant material in a water pipe; many users also recommend using cold water in a pipe so that the flower doesn’t burn too hot. You can also make lotus tea: place a measured amount of lotus flowers and bulbs into a tea bag or filter device, and steep it in two cups of boiling water. Add lemon juice and honey for flavor if desired. You can even try drinking and smoking blue lotus in the same session to get the full effect, or what some users have called the “Egyptian experience”. Whether you choose to smoke or drink it, blue lotus has a smooth taste and smell and has been reported as one of the gentler smoking herbs available today.
The sensory effects of blue lotus include a feeling of warmth about the face and head, increased tactile sensitivity, and sometimes enhanced sexual arousal. Some people have reported mild visual effects: details in their surroundings may seem to jump out, or they may perceive changing patterns on textured surfaces. These kinds of visual distortions seem to occur after users have consumed a higher dose (10 grams or more) and/or a more potent extraction of blue lotus into alcohol or tea.
Consumed socially, blue lotus seems to enhance sociability and emotional connection between those who take it. Romantic partners who have taken blue lotus together have reported feeling a strong sense of empathy and emotional closeness to their partner; some couples have stated they became able to open up and resolve serious emotional blocks and issues in their relationships after taking blue lotus. This herb may also have potent aphrodisiac effects, increasing and speeding up users’ sense of arousal, sensitivity, and sexual satisfaction. Blue lotus’ active compounds can have “a sort of Viagra effect”, according to drug researcher Liz Williamson. Perhaps it comes as no surprise that one of the active ingredients in Viagra is derived from the blue lotus plant!
Because it is a mild relaxant and anti-spasmodic, blue lotus can be used to relieve anxiety and help users unwind from daily stress, worries and long-term issues. Many users report that blue lotus promotes a feeling of serenity and peace, as though one’s troubles were far away and unimportant. This is a long-lasting perception that can remain with a user for days after ingesting blue lotus. Blue lotus often also induces a dreamy, euphoric feeling in users, but without the blurred thinking or sedation that accompanies opiates like morphine. On the contrary, many people have said blue lotus actually increases mental focus, creativity and clarity of thought. Some cite blue lotus as an amazing aid to meditation and, in a few cases, even lucid dreaming. This is possibly because blue lotus, much like the celebrated dream herb Calea zacatechichi, may help your brain stay more active than usual during REM sleep. We have not found any reports of blue lotus disrupting sleep, however: rather, the flower may actually be useful as a sleep aid because of its calming effects. Users of blue lotus generally describe feeling refreshed and rested the next day, with no hangover or ill effects.
If you’re looking for a versatile herb with the power to relax you, clear your head and gently enhance your emotional and spiritual well-being, look no farther than blue lotus.