Some people believe the blue lotus flower has health benefits, including for anxiety and sleep. However, it has psychoactive properties, and research on its safety and efficacy is needed.

Blue lotus flower (Nymphaea caerulea) is a psychoactive plant, also known as blue Egyptian lotus, blue water lily, and sacred blue lily.

It’s been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years as a natural aphrodisiac, sleep aid, and anxiety reliever. However, due to its psychoactive properties, many people wonder if it’s legal and safe to use.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the blue lotus flower for consumption in the United States. Because of this, there is no generally accepted dosage. More research is still needed better to evaluate the benefits and uses of blue lotus flower.

Keep reading to learn what you need to know about blue lotus flower, including its potential benefits, downsides, legality, and safety.

Blue lotus flower safety

Blue lotus flower can have psychoactive effects. It’s best to talk with a doctor before using or consuming it, as it may possibly have negative health effects, especially if you have underlying health conditions, such as mood disorders or schizophrenia, or possibly interact with other substances you may be taking, such as alcohol or cannabis. More research on its health effects is still needed.

It is not approved for human consumption in the United States. Always check your local and federal laws before buying or trying it.

Blue lotus flower (Nymphaea caerulea)Share on Pinterest
Blue lotus flower, Photo by Getty Images

Blue lotus flower is a water lily that predominantly grows in Egypt and certain parts of Asia.

It holds cultural importance, and images of the flower have been found on ancient papyri and the walls of tombs. Historians believe it was once used in Egypt as a traditional medicine to treat an array of conditions and disorders, such as anxiety and insomnia.

It’s known as an entheogenic drug, which is a mind-altering substance believed to alter one’s consciousness in a spiritual or religious manner. This term is commonly used instead of “hallucinogenic” or “psychedelic.”

The two main compounds responsible for the flower’s psychoactive and medicinal effects are apomorphine and nuciferine:

  • Apomorphine: A psychoactive compound that acts as a dopamine agonist, meaning it can instill a happy and euphoric feeling. It may also help with muscle control in those with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and erectile dysfunction.
  • Nuciferine: A compound thought to act as an antipsychotic drug that induces feelings of calmness through mechanisms that aren’t yet fully understood.

Consuming blue lotus flower may make you feel “high” and result in a gentle euphoria. Some people have drawn comparisons to the high you experience after consuming cannabis, though this can be largely individual.

Currently, blue lotus flower isn’t approved for human consumption in the United States. However, it’s not a controlled substance and is legally allowed to be cultivated, sold, and purchased except in the state of Louisiana, where it’s illegal.

The most common forms of the flower include teas, infused wine and spirits, and products to smoke or vape. You may find these in specialty holistic wellness stores, vape shops, or online.

Despite this, always check your local and federal laws regarding the legality of any psychoactive substances and speak with a healthcare professional before trying them.

Despite the many claims of blue lotus flowers’ health benefits, limited research exists on the plant.

Historically, it’s been used recreationally and medicinally, with most advocates claiming it can improve sleep, reduce anxiety, assist with erectile dysfunction, and act as a natural aphrodisiac.

Though no direct research supports these claims, some researchers suspect that these effects come from the two compounds in the flower, apomorphine and nuciferine, commonly known to promote calmness and assist with muscle control.

Furthermore, like many plants, blue lotus flower contains various antioxidants, including:

Antioxidants promote good health by targeting free radicals, unstable molecules that contribute to cellular damage. A diet high in antioxidants is associated with a lower risk of chronic conditions like:

  • heart disease
  • diabetes
  • obesity
  • certain types of cancer

Yet, despite its antioxidant content, no research directly links this flower with a reduced risk of chronic disease, and no studies have confirmed whether there’s an ideal way to consume it to reap the most benefits.

The best way to get antioxidants is to include a variety of antioxidant-rich foods in your diet, including:

  • vegetables
  • fruit
  • nuts
  • seeds
  • whole grains
  • green tea
  • coffee

Even though you can buy blue lotus flower online and in certain stores, there’s a large debate about whether it should be a legal substance due to its psychoactive properties.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labels the flower as unsuitable for consumption but doesn’t classify it as a controlled substance. This means that you can legally purchase blue lotus teas, incense, and oils.

However, its legality is complex, and it is illegal in Poland, Russia, and Latvia.

Though proponents of the flower tout its medicinal benefits, very limited research backs up these claims. Further, there’s no safety data on the substance and no generally accepted dosage.

Therefore, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if you’re considering trying blue lotus flower.

It’s also important to note that children and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid the flower due to the lack of research on its safety in these populations.

Finally, because of its psychoactive properties, it may not be suitable for everyone and shouldn’t be mixed with other substances like cannabis, alcohol, or drugs, including medications, that affect the central nervous system.

Do not drive or perform other activities while consuming the flower.

Blue lotus flower can be used in many different forms, though there’s no data available on its safety, maximum dosage, and potency:

  • Tea: To make blue lotus flower tea, add one premade tea bag or 3 to 5 grams of dried flowers to 1 to 2 cups (250 to 500 mL) of hot water. Let steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Smoking: If you choose to smoke it, roll dried flowers using rolling papers. Just keep in mind that this method may cause significant psychoactive effects and should be used with caution. Smoking any substance may also negatively affect your lung health and overall health.
  • Vaping: For vaping, finely ground flowers can be added to a vaporizer and inhaled. Vaping any substance may also negatively affect your lung health and overall health.
  • Alcoholic beverages: Some people infuse wine or alcoholic spirits with the flower. Due to the unknown safety surrounding this practice, it’s best to avoid it.
  • Massage and essential oil: You can purchase blue lotus flower massage oil or essential oil, which can enter the body through the skin or be breathed in through the nasal passage. Many claim these forms are less potent, though research is still needed to confirm this.

Despite these uses, blue lotus toxicity and drug interactions may occur.

A 2023 case report noted that five soldiers in the military who consumed blue lotus flower in various ways, including one who vaped it and another who drank wine infused with blue lotus flower, experienced symptoms including:

  • paranoia
  • agitation
  • hallucinations
  • strange behavior

Don’t exceed the recommended dosage instructions on the product’s packaging. It’s also important to purchase these products from a reliable source and speak with a healthcare professional to ensure their safety.

It’s also best to avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how blue lotus flower affects you.

If you experience side effects or symptoms of toxicity, it’s best to stop use and talk with a doctor.

The blue lotus flower has been used as a traditional medicine in ancient Egypt for thousands of years.

Today, it’s commonly consumed as a tea, smoked or vaped, or inhaled as an essential oil. Despite many anecdotal claims, there’s no evidence that it helps reduce anxiety, improve sleep, increase sexual arousal, or manage erectile dysfunction.

Though legal in most countries, the substance can elicit psychoactive effects and should only be used after speaking with a healthcare professional.