What Is Blue Lotus Flower?
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Medically reviewed by Kristie Reed, PharmD
Blue lotus flower, or Nymphea caerulea, is an Egyptian water lily. Sometimes called blue Egyptian lotus, historians speculate that this plant was used in ancient Egyptian culture as part of healing and shamanistic rituals. Today, people sometimes use blue lotus flower to promote sleep, reduce anxiety, improve sexual performance, and address mental health conditions.
Although blue lotus flower is not listed as a controlled substance, it also is not approved for consumption in the United States and is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It also is not legal in all 50 states and is on the list of prohibited dietary supplements list for members of the military. Some blue lotus flower products may also be laced with cannabinoids, which are controlled substances and can show up on a drug test.
Additionally, blue lotus flower can cause hallucinations, paranoia, anxiety, slurred speech, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and seizures. These responses are caused by two properties in the flower—apomorphine and nuciferine. Most people find blue lotus flower on the Internet in the form of flower extracts, resins, dried leaves, oils, powders, and electronic cigarette refill liquids (e-liquids).
Health Claims
There is limited research on blue lotus flower, and most studies that have been conducted have been animal studies, in vitro (test tube), or observational studies of people who have ingested the plant in some form. Because of this, there is no concrete evidence on the benefits of using blue lotus flower nor is there any data on its safety.
Blue lotus flower contains apomorphine, which is thought to stimulate dopamine receptors and improve motor function. Because of this component, researchers have proposed using blue lotus flower for the treatment of depression, insomnia, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, and erectile dysfunction.
The other significant compound in blue lotus flower is nuciferine, which is an alkaloid associated with dopamine receptor blockade (a compound that slows down certain kinds of cell activity in your brain and body). Because of this ability, scientists have suggested blue lotus also may be useful as an antipsychotic drug. Researchers also have proposed that it may be useful in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. It has also been used to induce vomiting in animals.
Older research indicates that blue lotus flower also contains antioxidants like quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin. Because of this, it may have antimutagenic effects (the ability to prevent potentially harmful substances from making permanent changes to DNA) and anticarcinogenic effects (the ability to prevent or delay cancer). However, the studies so far have been in vitro and in vivo. There also is no current research indicating this plant can impact health or reduce the risk of disease.
Is Blue Lotus Flower Safe?
Because blue lotus flower is not a regulated substance, it’s nearly impossible to be certain about the ingredients and purity of the products on the market. One study found that none of the commercial blue lotus products they studied resembled authentic extracts, particularly when it came to their smell and their composition.
The researchers also found that the compounds nuciferine and apomorphine were either completely absent from the products or only found in trace amounts. This means you may be ingesting a substance that doesn't contain the active ingredients you are looking for.
Blue lotus flower is not approved for consumption in the United States, nor is not regulated by the FDA. For this reason, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not take blue lotus flower.
Additionally, if you have allergies to flowers or plants, there is a possibility that you could have an allergic reaction to the blue lotus flower. This plant is part of the water-lily Nymphaeaceae family, which contains a number of rhizomatous aquatic herbs.
Uses
The flowers, stems, and roots are the parts of the plant primarily used for health-related purposes. These parts are then made into extracts, oils, powders, resins, and electronic cigarette refill liquids (e-liquids.) You also may be able to find dried leaves that are used to make tea.
According to researchers, the leaf and flower extracts are better sources of the active compounds than the rhizome and root. Take caution with more concentrated forms, such as extracts, as blue lotus flower can cause hallucinations and euphoria in high doses.
People who use blue lotus flower are likely using it to improve sleep or reduce anxiety. Some people also use it to improve sexual performance and address mental health conditions.
Side Effects of Blue Lotus Flower
Blue lotus is considered a psychoactive plant, which means it can affect your mind or alter your state of consciousness. The plant has been shown to cause hallucinations as well as feelings of euphoria, paranoia, and anxiety.
It can also cause several other side effects, especially if taken in high doses. Here are some potential reactions to taking blue lotus flower:
Confusion
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Slurred speech
Chest pain
Rapid heartbeat
Seizures
Can You Take Too Much Blue Lotus Flower?
People who take high doses of blue lotus may experience a number of uncomfortable or frightening symptoms such as hallucinations, chest pain, and tachycardia (fast heart rate). They also may be anxious, disoriented, paranoid, agitated, and hypoxic (low levels of oxygen). Some people have experienced metabolic acidosis (a buildup of toxins) and priapism (unwanted persistent erection).
It also can take some time for symptoms to subside. One study of people in the military who went to the emergency room after vaping or ingesting blue lotus flower found that it took them about three to four hours to return to a sober state.
As blue lotus flower is not regulated by the FDA or considered safe for consumption in the U.S., there is no information available on the amounts of blue lotus that are safe or unsafe to ingest.
However, you should not take more blue lotus than what is recommended on the product’s packaging. When choosing a product, speak with a healthcare provider to determine if it's a reputable brand and safe for you to use.
Potential Drug Interactions
Due to limited research, it's unknown if blue lotus interacts with other drugs. However, you should avoid using blue lotus if you are taking medications for a mental health condition, erectile dysfunction, or a sleep disorder. Since blue lotus has properties that may address those conditions, you may experience an enhanced reaction when combined with medications that have a similar effect.
Legal Status
Although blue lotus has a psychoactive effect and can produce a high similar to cannabis, it is not listed as a controlled substance. However, it also is not approved for human consumption in the U.S. and it is not regulated by the FDA.
Blue lotus is not legal in some states in the U.S. and has been banned in several countries including Russia. The plant is also on the list of prohibited supplements for members of the military and other Department of Defense (DoD) employees. The DoD warns that blue lotus is often laced with cannabinoids, which are controlled substances that would show up on a drug test.
A Quick Review
Blue lotus flower is an Egyptian water lily used to promote sleep, reduce anxiety, improve sexual performance, and address mental health conditions. Although the plant is not listed as a controlled substance in the U.S., it's also not approved for human consumption nor is it regulated by FDA. It also is on the prohibited list of supplements for members of the military.
People who use blue lotus may experience a range of side effects and adverse reactions, especially at high doses. These can include hallucinations, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and more. If you are considering taking blue lotus flower, talk to a healthcare provider to determine if it's right for you.
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