Recent studies have shown Nympaea caerulea to have psychedelic properties, and may have been used as a sacrament in ancient Egypt and certain ancient South American cultures. Dosages of 5 to 10 grams of the flowers induces slight stimulation, a shift in thought processes, and mild closed-eye visuals. Nymphaea caerulea is very often confused with Nelumbo nucifera, the blue lotus, which contains the alkaloid nuciferine, which has sedative and muscle-relaxing properties. The active principal alkaloid in Nympaea caerulea is currently unknown.[citation needed]
These psychoactive effects make Nymphaea caerulea a likely candidate (among several) for the lotus plant eaten by the mythical Lotophagi in Homer's Odyssey and in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's (fl. 1850) poem, The Lotos-Eaters.
The flowers are rumored to contain aporphine, an entheogen that is purported to have divinatory properties, and nuciferine, an antispasmodic, but the Egyptian species have never been scientifically tested for these compounds.[citation needed]
Used in aromatherapy, Nymphaea caerulea is purported to have a "divine" essence, bringing euphoria, heightened awareness and tranquility.[citation needed]
Other sources cite anti-spasmodic and sedative, purifying and calming properties.
according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphaea_caerulea:
Recent studies have shown Nympaea caerulea to have psychedelic properties, and may have been used as a sacrament in ancient Egypt and certain ancient South American cultures. Dosages of 5 to 10 grams of the flowers induces slight stimulation, a shift in thought processes, and mild closed-eye visuals. Nymphaea caerulea is very often confused with Nelumbo nucifera, the blue lotus, which contains the alkaloid nuciferine, which has sedative and muscle-relaxing properties. The active principal alkaloid in Nympaea caerulea is currently unknown.[citation needed]
These psychoactive effects make Nymphaea caerulea a likely candidate (among several) for the lotus plant eaten by the mythical Lotophagi in Homer's Odyssey and in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's (fl. 1850) poem, The Lotos-Eaters.
The flowers are rumored to contain aporphine, an entheogen that is purported to have divinatory properties, and nuciferine, an antispasmodic, but the Egyptian species have never been scientifically tested for these compounds.[citation needed]
Used in aromatherapy, Nymphaea caerulea is purported to have a "divine" essence, bringing euphoria, heightened awareness and tranquility.[citation needed]
Other sources cite anti-spasmodic and sedative, purifying and calming properties.