For those with mental health disorders, it’s understandable to want to find some relief. For most that relief comes in the form of prescriptions written by clinical professionals after a thorough examination. However, with medication comes side effects and that can cause worse symptoms. When that sort of situation occurs, it’s understandable why some would turn to a more natural alternative. Today we’re going to look at the potential benefits of blue lotus for mental disorders. 

We’re going to explore the blue lotus flower to better understand what it can do for our mental states. We’ll also look at the risks and side effects of the natural ingredient. In the end, we invite you to ask questions and relate your experiences in the comments. 

What is the Blue Lotus Flower?

The blue lotus flower is a water lily that grows in African countries like Egypt and in tropical climates along the Eastern African coasts. However, in recent years its popularity has spread to Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

Blue Lotus typically develops along with bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. The lotus can appear to be blue, white, or pink in color, however, it’s most commonly in a sky-blue hue. It also serves as decorative or ornamental pieces for art and gardens.

These flowers are edible. Sailors and farmers in southeastern African countries have consumed the blue lotus since the 1800s. Blue lotus can be in stews or curries or it can be in teas and drunk. ¹

Blue Lotus Flower Effects

Most find that blue lotus gives a euphoric high, one that may compare to cannabis. The high is due to two alkaloids, apomorphine and nuciferine, which interact with the brain’s pleasure receptors in distinct ways. The apomorphine connects with a dopamine receptor which interacts with serotonin receptors giving the brain a euphoric and relaxed sensation. The nuciferine acts as a deliverer for the apomorphine, creating different bodily behavioral functions like an anticonvulsant and a relaxant. ²

What Does a Blue Lotus High Feel Like?

Understanding how the chemical reaction works inside the brain, one may wonder how it feels to experience a blue lotus high? Those that smoke the plant material can receive a euphoric, relaxing high that can last between three to five hours, although it can extend further in duration.

Can Blue Lotus Flower Help with Mental Illness?

When it comes to mental health, there are claims that blue lotus is valuable in cases of anxiety, depression, and even insomnia. There are also claims that blue lotus flowers have natural anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, and mood booster qualities. Although these claims may seem great, it’s always best to check these claims for yourself before trying out any natural ingredient or treatment option. 

What Does the Research Say?

Unfortunately, due to the fact that several countries have outright banned the plant and the US has made it unfit for human consumption, research on the impact of blue lotus on mental health issues is severely lacking. However, there is research that gives us insight into some of the benefits that blue lotus can provide: 

• One study looked into nuciferine, a psychoactive compound found in blue lotus extract, on mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and anxiety conditions such as PTSD. They found that nuciferine molecule may play a role in the treatment of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. However, there still needs more insightful research for human use. ³

• The findings of a study suggest that nuciferine may be a potentially important candidate for inflammatory diseases. Given that nuciferine is in abundance in blue lotus flower, the natural ingredient could be a valuable source for nuciferine. Blue lotus can be a therapeutic and medicinal method of treatement. ⁴

• A study on lab rats to test the toxicity potential of a liquid extract of the blue lotus flower. The researchers found that the plant material was not toxic to the rats. With that understanding, they felt it shouldn’t be toxic to humans consuming or utilizing extracts. The research proved the blue lotus extract has neuroprotective, anti-oxidant, and immune boosting properties. The effects were found in the lab rodents tested with said extract. However in regards of human use, the blue lotus extract should be carefully considered before being used as either drug or supplementary food. ⁵

Is Blue Lotus Legal?

Presently, the legal status of blue lotus is a grey area in the United States. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has not placed it on the list of controlled substances but they classify blue lotus as not fit for human consumption. Due to this classification, most retailers have made blue lotus available as essential oils, teas, tinctures, or incense packages rather than as raw plant material or through supplements. Other countries, such as Russia and Latvia, have outright banned blue lotus due to fear of its psychoactive properties.

Blue Lotus Dosage Recommendation

Due to the fact that blue lotus is illegal and banned in some countries, it’s always best to follow guidelines that apply to the country you are living in. However, there are some general dosing recommendations that align with different forms and ways blue lotus is prepared and consumed: ⁶

Smoking

Smoking blue lotus involves rolling the dried leaves of the plant into rolling papers and lighting them. Due to this fact, it’s difficult for most to find an even dose of the plant material for smoking purposes. Also smoking the leaves can increase the chances of having an elevated psychoactive experience. This can be uncomfortable for some. 

Teas

Blue lotus flower teas contain a consistency of quality plant material going into the tea mixes. If one is using dried leaves to make their own tea, the user should take 2-4 grams and seep it in 2 cups of boiling water. For pre-packaged tea, it’s often best to follow their instructions and guides on the package. However, due note the recommendation is to limit blue lotus tea consumption to 2 cups a day. 

Tinctures 

Blue lotus is available as a tincture, which can be added to foods and drinks. The most common dosage for tinctures is to add between 6 and 10 drops up to two times a day to a beverage or meal. Although if the tincture product has its own set of dosing recommendations, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s advice.

Blue Lotus Side Effects

While more research is necessary to see the long-term effects of blue lotus on the human body, there are concerns about how blue lotus affects glucose levels in those diagnosed with diabetes. Blue lotus has a tendency to lower blood sugar in some people. For those with diabetes who are taking medications to lower blood sugar, adding lotus along with such medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Also, it’s generally not advisable for pregnant women to imbibe blue lotus products as it could result in pregnancy complications. ⁷

Furthermore, if you plan to use blue lotus for mental disorders, keep in mind that this plant does cause psychoactivity. In turn, there’s a chance it can worsen psychological behaviors and thoughts.

Blue Lotus Flower for Sale

Presently, blue lotus is available from online retailers in various different forms including whole flower options, extracts, resins, oils, and powders. However, it’s important to purchase blue lotus from trusted and safe distributors that have a history of providing high-quality products from sustainable sources.

It’s also important to understand that this natural ingredient has been controversial and banned in some countries. Please be aware of any of these restrictions apply to where you live and follow all local and governmental laws and guidelines.

We have provided a few examples of blue lotus retailers for you to choose from:

Herb Stomp

Herb Stomp is an online retailer for 100% organic plant material and natural ingredients. They offer a few options to get blue lotus flowers including dried flowers, powders, and extracts. 

• Blue Lotus Flower is a bulk package of dried flower petals. The product is available in different weights from 1 ounce to 8 ounces.

• Blue Lotus Powder is the plant material of the blue lotus including the stems and flower petals grounded into a fine powder which can be added to shakes, meals and diluted in water. Again available in four weighted options from 1 ounce to 1 kilograms. 

• Blue Lotus Extract is a 25:1 extract made from blue lotus flower plant material. Comes in weighted options from 1 ounce to 15 grams. 

Kratora

Kratora has been providing an online option for natural ingredients, supplements, and tinctures since 2013.  They focus on naturally sourced, high-quality botanical products from the rainforests of Southeast Asia. All of their products are inspected, packaged, and distributed through their US-based offices. They started with specializing in distributing kratom in its many forms and variations, including different strains and strengths but they have since included other natural options including blue lotus flower. 

For blue lotus, Kratora has three different options which include powders, extracts, and flower materials for purchase: 

• Blue Lotus Flower is a bulk package of dried flower petals. The product is available in different weights from 1 ounce to 1 pound.

• Blue Lotus Powder is the plant material of the blue lotus including the stems and flower petals grounded into a fine powder which can be added to shakes, meals and diluted in water. Again available in four weighted options from 1 ounce to 1 pound. 

• Blue Lotus Extract is a 50:1 extract made from blue lotus flower plant material. Kratora’s 50:1 extract takes 50 ounces of flower material and condenses it down into 1 ounce of extract for a higher concentration of the plant’s bioactive components. The extract comes in weighted options from 5 grams to 100 grams. 

Zamnesia

Zamnesia is a European company offering over 5,000 high-quality products, including over 3,000 feminized and cannabis varieties, mushroom grow kits and laboratory supplies, vaporizers, entheogenic herbs and seeds, and CBD oils. 

For blue lotus, Zamnesia has three different options which include powders, extracts, and flower materials for purchase: 

• Blue Lotus Flower is flower petals of the blue lotus in 10 gram pouches. The recommended use for the flower material is to take  5 grams of flowers and soak in hot water, served in teas or with traditional wine. The flowers can be smoked or can be ground up as a fine powder and included in a vape cartridge.

• Blue Lotus Extract is a blend of blue lotus materials that’s 20 times stronger than regular leaves. Zamnesia’s Blue Lotus extract also includes a high concentration of aporphine and nuciferine content present. It comes in one gram option, however there are bulk options with discounts. 

• Blue Lotus Resin is a waxy product that contains plant material from the blue lotus flower. Its intended for the user to break the resin material into 2 or 3 small balls and ingest it with water or let it melt in warm water and drink it in a tea. It comes in one gram option, however there are bulk options with discounts. 

• Blue Lotus Tincture is a tincture that is 15 times more potent than the dried leaves. The tincture is to be used twice daily at 6 to 10 drops a day which can be added to water, teas or meals. 

Final Word

When it comes to mental health disorders it is understandable that one would want to find the best and most effective treatment possible. However, with modern mental health medication, the side effects can be insurmountable and uncomfortable. Finding a natural alternative such as the blue lotus flower could bring relief as well as negate having all of the side effects that other mental health pharmaceuticals can provide. 

Although it is important to check all differing treatment options with your provider, if blue lotus and other natural alternatives work for you then you should try them out. It is always best to try natural alternatives with the understanding that it will take some time for the effects to kick in. However, with continual use, a beneficial outcome can be achieved.

Your Questions

Still, have questions about blue lotus for mental disorders? 

We invite you to ask them in the comment section below. If you have any further knowledge on this topic – whether personal or professional – we’d also love to hear from you!

Reference Sources 

¹ National Center for Biotechnical Information: Nymphaea cults in ancient Egypt and the New World: a lesson in empirical pharmacology

² National Center for Biotechnical Information: Blue Lotus Flower Resin Used in a New Type of Electronic Cigarette

³ ResearchGate: The Role of Nuciferine and its Putative Value as an Antipsychotic Drug

⁴ MDPI: Nuciferine Inhibits Proinflammatory Cytokines

⁵ PubMed: Safety assessment of the aqueous extract of the flowers of Blue Lotus to Oral Toxicity

⁶ KatromGuides: Blue Lotus Dosage Guide

⁷ RxList: Blue Lotus Flower Side Effects