Blue Lotus: An Entheogen for the Pharaohs ... and Us?

The blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea)--also known, more accurately, as the 'sacred blue lily'--is an ancient, psychoactive water lily that grew in the Nile ... and is now gaining renewed popularity in the West. The flower is said to emerge from the muddy waters only once a year, and the bloom lasts only three days. It became a symbol of life, immortality and resurrection. associated with the sun god Ra as well as the god of perfumes, Nefertem, who is generally portrayed with a blue lotus on the top of his head. The first recorded ritual use of the plant was in the Fifth Dynasty (2494-2345 BCE). The Egyptians typically infused it in red wine, which was then consumed as a mild euphoriant--and as an aphrodesiac. It was also believed to stimulate the "third eye" (the Eye of Horus) during meditation or contemplation.

The blue lotus produces a number of alkaloids with a narcotic effect, the primary ones being apomorphine and nuciferine. Apomorphine is a dopamine agonist (that is, it binds with dopamine receptors, increasing a person's energy and pleasure). It has been used to treat erectile dysfunction in men and hypoactive sexual desire in women. Today, it may be prescribed for those with advanced Parkinson's disease.

As a euphoriant: Blue lotus flowers may be consumed in a variety of ways. They may be infused into wine, soaked in boiling water and drank as a tisane, smoked alone or added to a smoking mix with other herbs; vaped in a dry herb vape pen or as an e-liquid. Finally, some people prefer to buy a powder made from finely ground flowers and insufflate them.

The plant may also be used for a variety of cosmetic purposes, and to that end, these additional products are on the market: tinctures; essential oils; insence; face and body lotions, etc. It is not approved for food consumption by the FDA, but neither is it listed as a controlled substance; Consequently, it is legal in every state except Louisiana, where it is banned as a narcotic.

Please join us on Sunday, March 26th, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Honolulu Coffee Experience, to discuss the history, as well as the ritual and therapeutic uses of this remarkable plant. Weather permitting, we will be seated on the lanai.

Sample of blue lotus products will be available to take home for your personal use.