The Timeless Allure of Blue Lotus

The flower, commonly referred to as the Egyptian Blue Lotus, has long been associated with intoxicating beauty and enchantment. From the banks of the Nile in Pharaoh’s garden to accompany him in temple rights and even into the afterlife.  It might be somewhat surprising to know that this plant, Nymphaea caerulea. is actually not a true lotus at all but a water lily.

This beautiful blue flower has been revered for more than 4,000 years and its imagery found its way not only into Ancient Egyptian art, architecture, mythology, and medicine but was commonly rendered in the form of jewelry and other decorative elements.

In antiquity, lotuses were referred to as seshen.

The Ancient Egyptians viewed the fabled Blue Lotus as a symbol of beauty, rebirth, pleasure, spirituality, and mystery. Because it was connected to the idea of Ra’s regeneration each day, this aquatic plant was consistently used in temple rites and other cultural practices. We can still see the influence of this sacred plant on the walls of temples and tombs and it was considered a suitable offering to the gods.

There is a lot of misinformation on the Internet about this plant. Some claim that it has hallucinatory properties. While the ancients would indeed use this plant as an aphrodisiac or in sacred rites where it was mixed with other herbs such as mandrake. However, what is largely ignored is that the fresh flowers, when steeped in wine has almost identical properties to the herb, Ginko Biloba.

Today, Blue Lotus is undergoing a marked resurgence. Many are embracing this flower for use in aromatherapy, teas, tinctures, and bath products because of its calming effects.

Because of this increased demand, Blue Lotus has been a little more difficult to obtain. While we do carry Blue Lotus here at ReAlive, factors such as climate change, pollution, and overharvesting have proved to be challenging. However, botanical gardens and private water gardeners have been working together to help ensure its survival.

Disclaimer: The statements and information made here are not intended to advise, diagnose, treat, cure, recommend, or prevent any medical condition or replace professional medical advice. Please consult your physician or healthcare professional before using any product, supplement, or tea.