THE AMAZING BLUE LOTUS FLOWER
Blue lotus flower (Nymphaea caerulea) is a psychoactive plant, also known as blue Egyptian lotus, blue water lily, and sacred blue lily.
It’s been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years as a natural aphrodisiac, sleep aid, and anxiety reliever. However, due to its psychoactive properties, many people wonder if it’s safe to use.
This article tells you all you need to know about blue lotus flower, including its benefits and safety.
WHAT IS THE BLUE LOTUS FLOWER
It holds cultural importance, and images of the flower have been found on ancient papyri and on the walls of tombs. Historians believe it was once used in Egypt as a traditional medicine to treat an array of conditions and disorders like anxiety and insomnia.
It’s known as an entheogenic drug, which is a mind-altering substance believed to alter one’s consciousness in a spiritual or religious manner. This term is commonly used instead of “hallucinogenic” or “psychedelic”
The two main compounds responsible for the flower’s psychoactive and medicinal effects are apomorphine and nuciferine.
- Apomorphine. A psychoactive compound that acts as a dopamine agonist, meaning it can instill a happy and euphoric feeling. It may also help with muscle control in those with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and erectile dysfunction.
- Nuciferine. A compound thought to act as an antipsychotic drug that induces feelings of calmness through mechanisms that aren’t yet fully understood. It has also been shown to improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
Consuming blue lotus flower may make you feel “high” and result in a gentle euphoria. Some people have drawn comparisons to the high you experience after consuming cannabis, though this can be largely individual.
Currently, blue lotus flower isn’t approved for human consumption in the United States. However, it’s not a controlled substance and is legally allowed to be cultivated, sold, and purchased except in the state of Louisiana where it’s illegal.
The most common forms of the flower include teas, infused wine and spirits, and products to smoke or vape. You may be able to find these in specialty holistic wellness stores, vape shops, or online.
Despite this, always check your local and federal laws regarding the legality of any psychoactive substances and speak with a healthcare professional before trying them.
Despite the many claims of blue lotus flower’s health benefits, there’s only limited research on the plant.
Historically, it’s been used recreationally and medicinally, with most advocates claiming it can improve sleep, reduce anxiety, assist with erectile dysfunction, and act as a natural aphrodisiac.
Though no direct research supports these claims, many suspect that these effects come from the two compounds in the flower — apomorphine and nuciferine — commonly known to promote calmness and assist with muscle control.
Furthermore, blue lotus flower contains antioxidants like flavonoids, quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin.
Antioxidants promote good health by fighting free radicals, which can otherwise damage your body’s cells. A diet high in antioxidants is associated with a lower risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and certain types of cancer.
Yet, despite its antioxidant content, no research directly links this flower with a reduced risk of chronic disease, and no studies have confirmed whether there’s an ideal way to consume it to reap the most benefits.
The best way to get antioxidants is to include a variety of antioxidant-rich foods in your diet like vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, whole grains, green tea, and coffee
The blue lotus flower has been used for thousands of years as a traditional medicine in ancient Egypt.
Today, it’s commonly consumed as a tea, smoked or vaped, or inhaled as an essential oil. Despite many anecdotal claims, there’s no evidence that it helps reduce anxiety, improve sleep, increase sexual arousal, or manage erectile dysfunction.
Consumption of Blue Lotus can elicit psychoactive effects and should only be used after speaking with your healthcare provider.
