08/10/2025
What you need to know about Blue Lotus
7 Oct
Written By Penelope Maguire
Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) or Egyptian Blue Water Lily, is an aquatic perennial native to the Nile and East Africa. Despite its name, it isn’t a true lotus (that’s Nelumbo nucifera or sacred lotus), but a water lily from the Nymphaeaceae family.
For the ancient Egyptians Blue Lotus was considered holy. Because of the way it blooms tall in the morning then retreats at night, always staying above the water and mud below, it symbolised rebirth, the rising sun, and higher consciousness, showing up everywhere from art on temple walls to layers of petals over mummies. Today, herbalists value Blue Lotus for its calming, mildly euphoric, and dream-enhancing qualities and the often sought after effect for one to think deeper and exist beyond surface level.
How will Blue Lotus make me feel?
For some, Blue Lotus is subtle, bringing a gentle sense of relaxation and peace. For others, it can provide a noticeable lift in mood and an enhanced sense of connection with the world around them (something that can often be influenced by dosing). It’s especially helpful for creatives seeking inspiration or for anyone who’s been running on autopilot and wants support tuning in and going deeper. These last two effects are my favourites. To me, a cup of Blue Lotus tea or a few drops of tincture feels similar to the calm, centred shift you get when pausing to reflect, set intentions, or in prayer.
Herbal Actions
Nervine relaxant: soothes the nervous system
Euphoric: gently uplifts mood and promotes bliss
Aphrodisiac: enhances sensuality and intimacy, may have positive effects on erectile dysfunction
Oneirogenic: supports vivid and lucid dreaming
Active Constituents
Apomorphine: a dopamine agonist that promotes relaxation and mood enhancement
Nuciferine: acts on serotonin and dopamine receptors, contributing to sedation and gentle euphoria
Flavonoids & glycosides: antioxidant and supportive actions
Volatile oils: gives blue lotus it’s subtle floral scent and calming effects
Herbal Applications
Tea/infusion: Dried petals or whole flower steeped in hot water for a calming evening ritual. The whole flower can be topped up with water several times. Tip! Sometimes the ‘core’ of the flower can thicken your cup of tea. If you do not like this just steep the petals. We have whole dried blue lotus flowers available here
Mocktails and herbal cordials: can be infused into simple syrup with other botanicals like lavender or fresh basil as a lovely flavoured cordial to have with soda water after work as a relaxing and mood enhancing evening wine alternative. You can also add a dropper full of our Good Vibes Only and Blue Lotus Elixir to any cocktail or mocktail. Its also beautiful dropped into warm cacao.
Tincture: Concentrated alcohol extract drops. We have our Good Vibes Only triple extract tincture and our alcohol free Blue Lotus Elixir here
Wine or spirit infusion: used ceremonially as well as recreationally infused in wines in Ancient Egypt. You can either put a dried flower in your glass of wine or infuse several in a full bottle for a few days.
Smoking or incense: May be used in a herbal smoking blend or rolled into incense. Start with just a little to see how your constitution sits with this. Herbs that go well with blue lotus for this are damiana, rose and mugwort.
Topical/skincare: Blue Lotus essential oil, oil infusions and extracts are soothing, antioxidant-rich, and hydrating; ideal for facial oils, serums, body oils and massage oils. Has been used as an anointing oil.
Best enjoyed in the evening for relaxation, dreaming, or intimacy, though some people use tincture in the daytime for creativity, focus and to lift mood.
Safety & Contraindications
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: There is very little research on Blue Lotus in pregnancy or breastfeeding (mostly for ethical reasons), so standard practice is to recommend avoiding it during that season of life.
Pharmaceutical interactions: caution with antidepressants, antipsychotics, Parkinson’s or sleep medications
Side effects: uncommon, though excess can cause dizziness or nausea. As with any herb, start slow and see how is works with your individual and unique constitution.
Legal status: Unresitricted in New Zealand
Folklore & History
Blue Lotus was seen as a cosmic flower in Ancient Egypt. Its blooms open with the sun and close at night, making it a natural symbol of creation and rebirth. It was associated with the sun god Ra and used in ritual, medicine, and wine. Artistic depictions often show Egyptians inhaling the flower and steeping in wine.
Why should I integrate Blue Lotus into my herbal practice?
Blue lotus is wonderful herb to invite into your routine. It is a mood lifting and joy enhancing plant ally that offers a gentle breath at the end of the day, allows one to communicate with more grace and ease, and may even be used as a tool to figure things out while you are dreaming. It’s so lovely.
