Typha capensis / Love Reed / Typhaceae (Reedmace family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Ipomoea tricolor / Morning Glory / Convolvulaceae (Bindweed family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Ipomea Violacea, Ipomea tricolor, Flying saucers, Pearly gates, Ipomea, Morning Glory.

Description

Ipomea Violacea is a member of the Bindweed or Morning Glory family (commonly grown as ornamentals), as is Turbina Corymbosa, the Ololiuhqui (round things) used by Aztecs and other indigenous groups of Central America, mainly Mexico. Traditionally used in divination, the seeds of some varieties contain LSA (ergine). Nowadays, many varieties are known, including Heavenly Blue, Flying Saucers, and Pearly Gates.

Historical

Ipomea violacea was called "Badungas" or "Badoh Negro" in the Zapotec zone of Mexico. They used its seeds as a substitute for Ololiuhqui (MacDougall 1960). It has been suggested that I. violacea represented the Aztec drug "Tlitliltzin" (sacred black bones; Wasson 1963), and this species is known to the Mayans as "Yaxce’lil" (Garza 1990). Ipomea v. is still used today as a shamanic inebriant in Mexico, for example by the Mixe Indians of Oaxaca. It is commonly known in Mexico as "Quiebraplato" (plate breaker), which likely derives from the Mixe name "Pu’ucte.sh" "broken plate flower". The Zapotec also call I. violacea seed "La’aja Shnash" or "Seed of the Virgin", perhaps the origin of the contemporary Mexican term "Semillas de la Virgen" for Morning Glory seeds. Although it is widely assumed that the name "Semillas de la Virgen" refers to the Catholic virgin, it probably derives from the Zapotec term, which evidently refers to the virgin appointed to grind the seeds.

Plant Description

Native to the mountains of Southern Mexico, Guatemala, West Indies and Tropical South America, Morning Glory now grows around the world, favoring tropical warm temperate climates. It is a tender perennial vine with large, heart shaped, bright green leaves and showy, trumpet shaped flowers ranging from light blue to dark purple. These can be up to 6" in diameter. They open in the morning and last for one day. The ovoid fruit is about 1/2 inch in length and bears elongate, angular black seeds.

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Australia
• Italy
• Lithuania
• Estonia

References

Erowid Herb Vault

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Ergot
Lysergic acid

Related Products

Hawaiian Baby Woodrose (Argyrea nervosa)
Ololiuhqui (Rivea corymbosa)

Ipomoea tricolor / Morning Glory / Convolvulaceae (Bindweed family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Ipomea Violacea, Ipomea tricolor, Flying saucers, Pearly gates, Ipomea, Morning Glory.

Description

Ipomea Violacea is a member of the Bindweed or Morning Glory family (commonly grown as ornamentals), as is Turbina Corymbosa, the Ololiuhqui (round things) used by Aztecs and other indigenous groups of Central America, mainly Mexico. Traditionally used in divination, the seeds of some varieties contain LSA (ergine). Nowadays, many varieties are known, including Heavenly Blue, Flying Saucers, and Pearly Gates.

Historical

Ipomea violacea was called "Badungas" or "Badoh Negro" in the Zapotec zone of Mexico. They used its seeds as a substitute for Ololiuhqui (MacDougall 1960). It has been suggested that I. violacea represented the Aztec drug "Tlitliltzin" (sacred black bones; Wasson 1963), and this species is known to the Mayans as "Yaxce’lil" (Garza 1990). Ipomea v. is still used today as a shamanic inebriant in Mexico, for example by the Mixe Indians of Oaxaca. It is commonly known in Mexico as "Quiebraplato" (plate breaker), which likely derives from the Mixe name "Pu’ucte.sh" "broken plate flower". The Zapotec also call I. violacea seed "La’aja Shnash" or "Seed of the Virgin", perhaps the origin of the contemporary Mexican term "Semillas de la Virgen" for Morning Glory seeds. Although it is widely assumed that the name "Semillas de la Virgen" refers to the Catholic virgin, it probably derives from the Zapotec term, which evidently refers to the virgin appointed to grind the seeds.

Plant Description

Native to the mountains of Southern Mexico, Guatemala, West Indies and Tropical South America, Morning Glory now grows around the world, favoring tropical warm temperate climates. It is a tender perennial vine with large, heart shaped, bright green leaves and showy, trumpet shaped flowers ranging from light blue to dark purple. These can be up to 6" in diameter. They open in the morning and last for one day. The ovoid fruit is about 1/2 inch in length and bears elongate, angular black seeds.

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Australia
• Italy
• Lithuania
• Estonia

References

Erowid Herb Vault

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Ergot
Lysergic acid

Related Products

Hawaiian Baby Woodrose (Argyrea nervosa)
Ololiuhqui (Rivea corymbosa)

Commiphora myrrha / Myrrh / Burseraceae (Copal family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Balsamodendron Myrrha. Commiphora Myrrha, var. Aceite de palo, African Myrrh, Bal, Balasmodendron, Balsam copaiba, Bdellium, Bol, Bola, Bowl, Burseraceae, B samo de copayba, Cobeni, Commiphora Molmol, Commiphora Myrrha, Copaiba, Copaipera, Cupayba, Copauba, Copal, Copaiva, Copaiba-verdadeira, Copaibeura-de-Minas, Didin, Didthin, Guggal Resin, Gum Myrrh, Heerabol, Jesuit's balsam, Matidisguate, Matisihuati, Mal-dos-sete-dias, Mirra, Molmol, Morr, Mo Yao, Myrrh, Opopanax, Pau-de-oleo, Somali Myrrh.

Description

Commiphora myrrha is indigenous to eastern Mediterranean countries, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Yemen, and South Arabia. Myrrh is the resin of this tree. Myrrh has been used from remote ages as an ingredient in incense, perfumes, etc. Its a common ingredient of toothpowders, and is used with borax in tincture, with other ingredients, as a mouth-wash. According to Herodotus, Myrrh was used for embalming among the Egyptians. Myrrh also has an extensive record of traditional medicinal uses.

Scent

Warm, rich, spicy, earthy, woody, balsamic.

Aromatic Properties

The fragrance of Myrrh is thought to enhance spirituality. Aromatherapists use it as an aid in meditation or before healing. Its aroma is sedative, revitalizing, euphoric, purifying, comforting, protecting. It uplifts the spirit, helps moving forward emotionally, enhances visualization. When burned as incense, it gives a pleasant odor that calms the mind and soul. Myrrh is emotionally strengthening and empowering.

Contents

Alloaromadendrene, alpha-bergamotene, alpha-cubebene, alpha-multijugenol, alpha-selinene, ar-curcumene, beta-bisabolene, beta-cubebene, beta-elemene, beta-farnesene, beta-humulene, beta-muurolene, beta-selinene, calamenene, calamesene, carioazulene, caryophyllenes, coipaiferic acid, copaene, copaiferolic acid, copalic acid, copaibic acids, cyperene, delta-cadinene, delta-elemene, enantio-agathic acid, gamma-cadinene, gamma-elemene, gamma-humulene, hardwickic acids, illurinic acid, kaurenoic acids, kaurenic acid, kolavenol 1, maracaibobalsam, methlyl copalate, paracopaibic acids, polyalthic acid, trans-alpha-bergamotene.

Synergic Combinations

Frankincense, Lavender, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Rosewood, Tea Tree, Thyme, and all Spice Oils.

Historical

Myrrh is referred to in the Bible. Myrrh was used as a wine preservative in the ancient world. It was used by Egyptians in embalming mixtures. It was also used as an aromatic for perfumes, funerals, and insect repellents. It also has a long history as a herbal remedy, used by Greek and Roman physicians, as well as in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. Myrrh was an important trade item in ancient times, often worth more than its weight in gold. In Ancient Rome myrrh was priced at five times as much as Frankincense, though the latter was far more popular. The word Myrrh is derived from a Hebrew and Arabic word "Mur", meaning "bitter". The genus name Commiphora is from the Greek "Kommi", meaning "gum", and "Phoros", meaning "carrier". (1)(2)
Myrrh has shown to have "local anaesthetic, antibacterial and antifungal properties"(3).

Plant Description

Commiphora myrrha is indigenous to eastern Mediterranean countries, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Yemen, and South Arabia. It is a large shrub or small tree that grows in the Middle East and Ethiopia and Somalia. A pale yellow oil drips from the cuts in its dull gray bark and hardens to form teardrop-shaped nuggets of Myrrh, which are powdered for use as an incense.
The bushes yielding the resin do not grow more than 30cm in height, but they are of sturdy build, with knotted branches, and branchlets that stand out at right-angles, ending in a sharp spine. The trifoliate leaves are scanty, small and very unequal, oval and entire. The fruit is ovate, smooth, brown, somewhat larger than a pea, surrounded at base by a 4-toothed calyx, and supported on a very short stalk. There are ducts in the bark, and the tissue between them breaks down, forming large cavities, which, with the remaining ducts, becomes filled with a granular secretion which is freely discharged when the bark is wounded, or from natural fissures. It flows as a pale yellow liquid, but hardens to a reddish-brown mass, being found in commerce in tears of many sizes, the average being that of a walnut. The surface is rough and powdered, and the pieces are brittle, with a granular fracture, semi-transparent, oily, and often show whitish marks. The odor and taste are aromatic, the latter also acrid and bitter. It is inflammable, but burns feebly.

References

(1) Myrrh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(2) Myrrha, King's American Dispensatory, by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D., 1898
(3) Local Anaesthetic, Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties of Sesquiterpenes from Myrrh, Piero Dolara, Barbara Corte, Carla Ghelardini, Anna Maria Pugliese, Elisabetta Cerbai1, Stefano Menichetti, Antonella Lo Nostro; University of Florence, Italy.

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Myrrh and Franckincense

Nymphaea caerulea / Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile / Nymphaeaceae (Water Lily family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile, Sacred Lotus, Blue Lotus, Lily, Blue Water Lily, Blouwaterlelie, Kaaimanblom, Frog's Pulpit, Paddapreekstoel, Blou Plomb, Izubu.

Description

The Blue Lily, or Blue Lotus was the most sacred plant of Ancient Egypt. It was frequently depicted in works of art, where it is most often shown in party and other social scenes, and sometimes in scenes of sexual debauchery. The flowers were noted for their delightful perfume, suggestive of the sweat of Ra. "A divine essence, for bringing euphoria, heightened awareness and tranquility". Some people today believe that the Egyptians used this plant as a narcotic both for its healing qualities and as a recreational drug when soaked in wine, though this is a hotly debated topic.

Scent

Enchanting, aquatic, yet not like water. Somewhat like river mud, yet clean. Floral, yet austere. Ornamental and sweet smelling. Its fragrance is almost creamy, with a sharpness hiding within, similar to that of a hyacinth, a loquat and even of a banana. A transcendent, ethereal, softly sweet, and uplifting bouquet.

Aromatic Properties

The Blue Lotus is connected to the expansion of the higher mind. It eases the spirit out of the body and assists it forward towards its highest potential in the realm of Spirit. It offers one of the highest vibrations of any flower. It is the symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses, of intelligence and wisdom, of knowledge.
As well as stimulating spiritual evolvement it acts as a "booster" to other flower essences by intensifying and spiritualizing their effects. Blue Lotus acts on all levels encouraging a gentle unfolding of the highest potential within the Self. Used as a fragrance in aromatherapy, Blue Lotus is purported to have a "divine" essence, bringing euphoria, heightened awareness and tranquility. It can be used to create a feeling of contentment and good health and for some works as an aphrodisiac. It was the Egyptian symbol for good health, good romance and birth. Blue Lotus is also a component of both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda.

Contents

Nuciferin, Aporphine, Nurpharine, Nupharidine.

Historical

Fossil remains of the Blue Lotus, remarkably similar to today's plant, have been dated to the Jurassic period, and it was widely dispersed before the Ice Age, making it one of the world's first known flowering plants, if not actually the first. This gives an archaeological link to the central role played by the lotus in the creation legends of so many different cultures.
The Blue Lotus flower had a wide variety of uses and meanings to various cultures. They were used for artistic purposes, for symbols, to make bread, to make perfume, for healing and funerary purposes.
The Blue Lotus has had a profound impact on human society, and human civilization, including the Ancient Egyptians, the Chinese, the Japanese, the people of India, the Buddhists, the Greeks and numerous other cultures around the world.
The primary reason for the use of the Blue Lotus as a symbol by the Ancient Egyptians was because it symbolized the origin of life. According to Watterson, they equated the Creator-god with the Blue Lotus, which is believed to have emerged at some point in time from the primeval ocean. Nun-Ra, their primary god, was believed to have first appeared as a beautiful child floating on a great Blue Lotus. As a symbol of rebirth for the Kemet, the Lotus was closely related to the imagery of the funerary and Osirian cult. The Four Sons of Horus were frequently shown standing on a Blue Lotus in front of Osiris. The Book of the Dead contains references to "transforming oneself into a Lotus" and thus fulfilling the promise of resurrection. The Blue Lotus was found scattered over Tutankhamon's body when the Pharaoh's tomb was opened in 1922.
The precise use made by the Kemet of Nymphaea caerulea apart from in funerary rites is still being debated.
In Asia and Africa, the Blue Lotus symbolized immortality in recognition of the plant's ability to survive and resprout after long droughts, and the seed's ability to remain viable for many years.
In China it was regarded as a religious symbol, and a symbol of feminine beauty. Similarly in India, it was compared with the human female form, and in their legends they believe that Brahma, their creator of the universe, sprang from a Lotus-like blossom.
In view of the fact that people are represented sniffing Lotus flowers as early as the time of the pyramid builders, we are faced with a practice that could well date back to the dawn of civilization. At a time when man’s senses had not yet been pampered with products obtained through distillation, not to mention modern artificial preparations, sensitivity to natural scents must have been even more acute. When an Egyptian buried his nose in a Lotus flower, and perhaps kept it there for a while, the effect on him may well have been considerable, and the scent alone may have been sufficient to achieve an alteration of his consciousness.

Contemporary reference to the role of Waterlilies and Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) in ancient Egyptian healing suggest the possible importance of these plants as adjuncts to shamanistic healing in dynastic Egypt. Although the usual interpretation of the Waterlily and the Mandrake has been that of a part of ritual mourning, it is argued that the dynastic Egyptians had developed a form of shamanistic trance induced by these two plants and used it in medicine as well as in healing rituals. Analysis of the ritual and sacred iconography of dynastic Egypt, as seen on stelae, in magical papyri, and on vessels, indicates that these people possessed a profound knowledge of plant lore and altered states of consciousness. The abundant data indicate that the shamanistic priest, who was highly placed in the stratified society, guided the souls of the living and dead, provided for the transmutation of souls into other bodies and the personification of plants as possessed by human spirits, as well as performing other shamanistic activities.

Plant Description

An aquatic plant of the family Nymphaeace. The Blue Lotus has pointed flowers and floating leaves with smooth edges, leaves broadly rounded, 25-40 cm across, with a notch at the leaf stem. The flowers are 10-15 cm diameter. The flower buds rise to the surface over a period of two to three days, and when ready, open in the morning and close in the early afternoon. The flowers and buds do not rise above the water in the morning, nor do they submerge at night. The flowers have pale bluish-white to sky-blue petals, smoothly changing to a pale yellow in the centre of the flower.

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Poland
• Romania

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Lucid Dreaming
Nymphaea caerulea - Entheology
Nymphaea caerulea - Erowid
Nymphaea caerulea - God's favorite flower
Nymphaea caerulea - Nymphaea cults in ancient Egypt and the New World: a lesson in empirical pharmacology
Nymphaea caerulea - Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f. var. caerulea (Sav.) Verdc.
Nymphaea caerulea - Seven Facet Blue Lotus Seichem
Nymphaea caerulea - The Blue Water Lily, by Caroline Seawright
Nymphaea caerulea - The Flowers of Ancient Egypt and Today, by Jane Howard
Nymphaea caerulea - The Lotus And The Nile, by Christopher Rutledge
Oneiromancy
Psychoactive Lotus / Lily - The Vaults of Erowid

Related Products

Dreamherb (Calea zacatechichi)
Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
African Dream Root (Silene capensis)

Nymphaea caerulea / Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile / Nymphaeaceae (Water Lily family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile, Sacred Lotus, Blue Lotus, Lily, Blue Water Lily, Blouwaterlelie, Kaaimanblom, Frog's Pulpit, Paddapreekstoel, Blou Plomb, Izubu.

Description

The Blue Lily, or Blue Lotus was the most sacred plant of Ancient Egypt. It was frequently depicted in works of art, where it is most often shown in party and other social scenes, and sometimes in scenes of sexual debauchery. The flowers were noted for their delightful perfume, suggestive of the sweat of Ra. "A divine essence, for bringing euphoria, heightened awareness and tranquility". Some people today believe that the Egyptians used this plant as a narcotic both for its healing qualities and as a recreational drug when soaked in wine, though this is a hotly debated topic.

Scent

Enchanting, aquatic, yet not like water. Somewhat like river mud, yet clean. Floral, yet austere. Ornamental and sweet smelling. Its fragrance is almost creamy, with a sharpness hiding within, similar to that of a hyacinth, a loquat and even of a banana. A transcendent, ethereal, softly sweet, and uplifting bouquet.

Aromatic Properties

The Blue Lotus is connected to the expansion of the higher mind. It eases the spirit out of the body and assists it forward towards its highest potential in the realm of Spirit. It offers one of the highest vibrations of any flower. It is the symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses, of intelligence and wisdom, of knowledge.
As well as stimulating spiritual evolvement it acts as a "booster" to other flower essences by intensifying and spiritualizing their effects. Blue Lotus acts on all levels encouraging a gentle unfolding of the highest potential within the Self. Used as a fragrance in aromatherapy, Blue Lotus is purported to have a "divine" essence, bringing euphoria, heightened awareness and tranquility. It can be used to create a feeling of contentment and good health and for some works as an aphrodisiac. It was the Egyptian symbol for good health, good romance and birth. Blue Lotus is also a component of both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda.

Contents

Nuciferin, Aporphine, Nurpharine, Nupharidine.

Historical

Fossil remains of the Blue Lotus, remarkably similar to today's plant, have been dated to the Jurassic period, and it was widely dispersed before the Ice Age, making it one of the world's first known flowering plants, if not actually the first. This gives an archaeological link to the central role played by the lotus in the creation legends of so many different cultures.
The Blue Lotus flower had a wide variety of uses and meanings to various cultures. They were used for artistic purposes, for symbols, to make bread, to make perfume, for healing and funerary purposes.
The Blue Lotus has had a profound impact on human society, and human civilization, including the Ancient Egyptians, the Chinese, the Japanese, the people of India, the Buddhists, the Greeks and numerous other cultures around the world.
The primary reason for the use of the Blue Lotus as a symbol by the Ancient Egyptians was because it symbolized the origin of life. According to Watterson, they equated the Creator-god with the Blue Lotus, which is believed to have emerged at some point in time from the primeval ocean. Nun-Ra, their primary god, was believed to have first appeared as a beautiful child floating on a great Blue Lotus. As a symbol of rebirth for the Kemet, the Lotus was closely related to the imagery of the funerary and Osirian cult. The Four Sons of Horus were frequently shown standing on a Blue Lotus in front of Osiris. The Book of the Dead contains references to "transforming oneself into a Lotus" and thus fulfilling the promise of resurrection. The Blue Lotus was found scattered over Tutankhamon's body when the Pharaoh's tomb was opened in 1922.
The precise use made by the Kemet of Nymphaea caerulea apart from in funerary rites is still being debated.
In Asia and Africa, the Blue Lotus symbolized immortality in recognition of the plant's ability to survive and resprout after long droughts, and the seed's ability to remain viable for many years.
In China it was regarded as a religious symbol, and a symbol of feminine beauty. Similarly in India, it was compared with the human female form, and in their legends they believe that Brahma, their creator of the universe, sprang from a Lotus-like blossom.
In view of the fact that people are represented sniffing Lotus flowers as early as the time of the pyramid builders, we are faced with a practice that could well date back to the dawn of civilization. At a time when man’s senses had not yet been pampered with products obtained through distillation, not to mention modern artificial preparations, sensitivity to natural scents must have been even more acute. When an Egyptian buried his nose in a Lotus flower, and perhaps kept it there for a while, the effect on him may well have been considerable, and the scent alone may have been sufficient to achieve an alteration of his consciousness.

Contemporary reference to the role of Waterlilies and Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) in ancient Egyptian healing suggest the possible importance of these plants as adjuncts to shamanistic healing in dynastic Egypt. Although the usual interpretation of the Waterlily and the Mandrake has been that of a part of ritual mourning, it is argued that the dynastic Egyptians had developed a form of shamanistic trance induced by these two plants and used it in medicine as well as in healing rituals. Analysis of the ritual and sacred iconography of dynastic Egypt, as seen on stelae, in magical papyri, and on vessels, indicates that these people possessed a profound knowledge of plant lore and altered states of consciousness. The abundant data indicate that the shamanistic priest, who was highly placed in the stratified society, guided the souls of the living and dead, provided for the transmutation of souls into other bodies and the personification of plants as possessed by human spirits, as well as performing other shamanistic activities.

Plant Description

An aquatic plant of the family Nymphaeace. The Blue Lotus has pointed flowers and floating leaves with smooth edges, leaves broadly rounded, 25-40 cm across, with a notch at the leaf stem. The flowers are 10-15 cm diameter. The flower buds rise to the surface over a period of two to three days, and when ready, open in the morning and close in the early afternoon. The flowers and buds do not rise above the water in the morning, nor do they submerge at night. The flowers have pale bluish-white to sky-blue petals, smoothly changing to a pale yellow in the centre of the flower.

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Poland
• Romania

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Lucid Dreaming
Nymphaea caerulea - Entheology
Nymphaea caerulea - Erowid
Nymphaea caerulea - God's favorite flower
Nymphaea caerulea - Nymphaea cults in ancient Egypt and the New World: a lesson in empirical pharmacology
Nymphaea caerulea - Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f. var. caerulea (Sav.) Verdc.
Nymphaea caerulea - Seven Facet Blue Lotus Seichem
Nymphaea caerulea - The Blue Water Lily, by Caroline Seawright
Nymphaea caerulea - The Flowers of Ancient Egypt and Today, by Jane Howard
Nymphaea caerulea - The Lotus And The Nile, by Christopher Rutledge
Oneiromancy
Psychoactive Lotus / Lily - The Vaults of Erowid

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Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
African Dream Root (Silene capensis)

Nymphaea caerulea / Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile / Nymphaeaceae (Water Lily family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile, Sacred Lotus, Blue Lotus, Lily, Blue Water Lily, Blouwaterlelie, Kaaimanblom, Frog's Pulpit, Paddapreekstoel, Blou Plomb, Izubu.

Description

The Blue Lily, or Blue Lotus was the most sacred plant of Ancient Egypt. It was frequently depicted in works of art, where it is most often shown in party and other social scenes, and sometimes in scenes of sexual debauchery. The flowers were noted for their delightful perfume, suggestive of the sweat of Ra. "A divine essence, for bringing euphoria, heightened awareness and tranquility". Some people today believe that the Egyptians used this plant as a narcotic both for its healing qualities and as a recreational drug when soaked in wine, though this is a hotly debated topic.

Scent

Enchanting, aquatic, yet not like water. Somewhat like river mud, yet clean. Floral, yet austere. Ornamental and sweet smelling. Its fragrance is almost creamy, with a sharpness hiding within, similar to that of a hyacinth, a loquat and even of a banana. A transcendent, ethereal, softly sweet, and uplifting bouquet.

Aromatic Properties

The Blue Lotus is connected to the expansion of the higher mind. It eases the spirit out of the body and assists it forward towards its highest potential in the realm of Spirit. It offers one of the highest vibrations of any flower. It is the symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses, of intelligence and wisdom, of knowledge.
As well as stimulating spiritual evolvement it acts as a "booster" to other flower essences by intensifying and spiritualizing their effects. Blue Lotus acts on all levels encouraging a gentle unfolding of the highest potential within the Self. Used as a fragrance in aromatherapy, Blue Lotus is purported to have a "divine" essence, bringing euphoria, heightened awareness and tranquility. It can be used to create a feeling of contentment and good health and for some works as an aphrodisiac. It was the Egyptian symbol for good health, good romance and birth. Blue Lotus is also a component of both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda.

Contents

Nuciferin, Aporphine, Nurpharine, Nupharidine.

Historical

Fossil remains of the Blue Lotus, remarkably similar to today's plant, have been dated to the Jurassic period, and it was widely dispersed before the Ice Age, making it one of the world's first known flowering plants, if not actually the first. This gives an archaeological link to the central role played by the lotus in the creation legends of so many different cultures.
The Blue Lotus flower had a wide variety of uses and meanings to various cultures. They were used for artistic purposes, for symbols, to make bread, to make perfume, for healing and funerary purposes.
The Blue Lotus has had a profound impact on human society, and human civilization, including the Ancient Egyptians, the Chinese, the Japanese, the people of India, the Buddhists, the Greeks and numerous other cultures around the world.
The primary reason for the use of the Blue Lotus as a symbol by the Ancient Egyptians was because it symbolized the origin of life. According to Watterson, they equated the Creator-god with the Blue Lotus, which is believed to have emerged at some point in time from the primeval ocean. Nun-Ra, their primary god, was believed to have first appeared as a beautiful child floating on a great Blue Lotus. As a symbol of rebirth for the Kemet, the Lotus was closely related to the imagery of the funerary and Osirian cult. The Four Sons of Horus were frequently shown standing on a Blue Lotus in front of Osiris. The Book of the Dead contains references to "transforming oneself into a Lotus" and thus fulfilling the promise of resurrection. The Blue Lotus was found scattered over Tutankhamon's body when the Pharaoh's tomb was opened in 1922.
The precise use made by the Kemet of Nymphaea caerulea apart from in funerary rites is still being debated.
In Asia and Africa, the Blue Lotus symbolized immortality in recognition of the plant's ability to survive and resprout after long droughts, and the seed's ability to remain viable for many years.
In China it was regarded as a religious symbol, and a symbol of feminine beauty. Similarly in India, it was compared with the human female form, and in their legends they believe that Brahma, their creator of the universe, sprang from a Lotus-like blossom.
In view of the fact that people are represented sniffing Lotus flowers as early as the time of the pyramid builders, we are faced with a practice that could well date back to the dawn of civilization. At a time when man’s senses had not yet been pampered with products obtained through distillation, not to mention modern artificial preparations, sensitivity to natural scents must have been even more acute. When an Egyptian buried his nose in a Lotus flower, and perhaps kept it there for a while, the effect on him may well have been considerable, and the scent alone may have been sufficient to achieve an alteration of his consciousness.

Contemporary reference to the role of Waterlilies and Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) in ancient Egyptian healing suggest the possible importance of these plants as adjuncts to shamanistic healing in dynastic Egypt. Although the usual interpretation of the Waterlily and the Mandrake has been that of a part of ritual mourning, it is argued that the dynastic Egyptians had developed a form of shamanistic trance induced by these two plants and used it in medicine as well as in healing rituals. Analysis of the ritual and sacred iconography of dynastic Egypt, as seen on stelae, in magical papyri, and on vessels, indicates that these people possessed a profound knowledge of plant lore and altered states of consciousness. The abundant data indicate that the shamanistic priest, who was highly placed in the stratified society, guided the souls of the living and dead, provided for the transmutation of souls into other bodies and the personification of plants as possessed by human spirits, as well as performing other shamanistic activities.

Plant Description

An aquatic plant of the family Nymphaeace. The Blue Lotus has pointed flowers and floating leaves with smooth edges, leaves broadly rounded, 25-40 cm across, with a notch at the leaf stem. The flowers are 10-15 cm diameter. The flower buds rise to the surface over a period of two to three days, and when ready, open in the morning and close in the early afternoon. The flowers and buds do not rise above the water in the morning, nor do they submerge at night. The flowers have pale bluish-white to sky-blue petals, smoothly changing to a pale yellow in the centre of the flower.

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Poland
• Romania

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Lucid Dreaming
Nymphaea caerulea - Entheology
Nymphaea caerulea - Erowid
Nymphaea caerulea - God's favorite flower
Nymphaea caerulea - Nymphaea cults in ancient Egypt and the New World: a lesson in empirical pharmacology
Nymphaea caerulea - Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f. var. caerulea (Sav.) Verdc.
Nymphaea caerulea - Seven Facet Blue Lotus Seichem
Nymphaea caerulea - The Blue Water Lily, by Caroline Seawright
Nymphaea caerulea - The Flowers of Ancient Egypt and Today, by Jane Howard
Nymphaea caerulea - The Lotus And The Nile, by Christopher Rutledge
Oneiromancy
Psychoactive Lotus / Lily - The Vaults of Erowid

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Dreamherb (Calea zacatechichi)
Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)
African Dream Root (Silene capensis)

Leonotis leonorus / Wild Dagga / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Lion's Beard, Lion's Ear, Umunyane (Zulu), Lebake (Sotho), Umfincafincane (Xhosa), Umhlahlampetu (Shona)

Description

Tall shrubby South African plant of the mint family with deep green foliage that elongates into long strips after flowering. Especially striking for its fiery orange, feathery flower tufts that bloom in spikes or balls, depending on the species (e.g., L. leonurus vs. L. nepetefolia). The very closely related L. nepetefolia has similar morphological and entheogenic properties, and looks very similar. However, L. leonurus is commonly called "Lion’s Tail" because of its feathery gladiolus-like spiked flowers, whereas L. nepetofolia is commonly called "Lion’s Ear" because of its furry ball-shaped flower bundle. The scent of the foliage is very planty and minty and needs to be kept in sealable closed containers, as the aroma is rather pungent.

Legal Remarks

This product is illegal or somehow problematic to send to the following countries. Click on the country link for further information.

• Poland

References

Erowid Herb Vault