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Nelumbo nucifera (Blue Lotus) - Experienced - An Excellent Herbal Adventure

Piper methysticum

Bluelighter
Joined
Nov 9, 2002
Messages
1,530
"Blue Lotus and the Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile"

I have plenty of experience with both Nelumbo nucifera (Blue Lotus) and Nymphea caerulea (Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile). They are both amazing plants, however, I will focus primarily on the species Nelumbo nucifera (Blue Lotus) in this report, as I have found that it provides the more profound effect between the two plants even though it is reported that they contain similar alkaloids.

I first discovered the plant quite a few years ago while ordering Salvia divinorum. I read about the wonderful history of its usage in Egypt, and I became very interested. I decided to order it and had my first experience making tea with the petals directly before ingesting Morning Glory seeds. The effects noted were very similar to those of Codeine. There was a mild, but very pleasurable, opiate-like euphoria as well as a general feeling of relaxation. The effects of the LSA's (Morning Glory) did not cancel out the effects of the Blue Lotus but actually created a synergy. I felt like I was extremely relaxed thoughout the whole experience even though I was at a +++ from the Morning Glory, whereas normally a +++ with Morning Glory would have very visible stimulating effects and I wouldn't typically want to sit in one place. I felt more like I had smoked a profoundly psychedelic Cannabis.

After that, I had ordered a potent resin extract of the Nymphea caerulea plant. I proceded to smoke the material and found that it produced an Opium-like high. The euphoria from this method was more pronounced and enjoyable being by myself at the time. I made the rest of the resin into a tea when I got home, and I spent the rest of the night admiring the mild psychedelic effects which I would characterize as a cross between the dream state of Opium and the mild visual effects of Cannabis.

After that experience, I had not used these plants for a few years until my best friend "J" ordered some of the Nymphea caerulea petals. We actually had a tea party since he just got a new herbal infuser. It was me, "J", my girlfriend at the time "Ally," and J's girlfriend "L." I was beginning to become very aware of the prominent social effects that these plants have at this point.

Not too long after, I started ordering a variety of plant extracts and petals. The most notable were the Nelumbo nucifera petals, absolute oil (Nelumbo nucifera), 25x extracts (Nelumbo nucifera, and resin extracts (Nymphea caerulea). Since, I have had vast experiences with each of these products. Note: At this point, I am with a new girlfriend "A," who is much more interested in psychoactive plants than the previous girl.

With most Nelumbo nucifera products, I have found the effects to start after about 15-20min., and are immensely pleasurable. The euphoria isn't unlike that produced from opiates, but it isn't quite like it either. It reminds me more of the state of mind produced from MDMA with a sedative effect similar to that of the benzodiazepines. There are wonderful effects in the area of sensuality and the erotic. Not to be too descriptive, but the first time I was involved with my current girlfriend in a passionate way was under its influence. I was enjoying licking the absolute oil from her body. So, the plant is certainly an aphrodisiac.

Even more positive, are its effects on conversation. It has mild characteristics of MDMA in regards to intimacy. It just feels wonderful to share memories and other personal things with people. Conversation in general is easy.

Next, I am going to discuss the individual product differences. The absolute oil of Nelumbo nucifera is the most potent extract available. For some reason, it seems to produce an effect almost instantaneously. It could be the way the oil soaks into the membranes of your mouth, or it could also be psychological. It has a pleasant taste; better than honey in my opinion. With this product, you have to be careful about how much you take. Yes, I think you could overdose on it. High doses of the oil exerted side effects similar to high doses of opiates and opioids (paleness of the face, respiritory depression, nausea, etc..). There seems to be an instant gratification from it that tea from the petals does not produce as efficiently. An interesting effect of the oil is its ability to dispell nausea from Alcohol. Once, "L" was at my apartment in an uncomfortable state of drunkeness, and I gave her a drop on the finger of the absolute oil. She felt better within a couple minutes.

The 25x extracts of Nelumbo nucifera appear as a fine, brown powdered plant material. The taste is obviously not quite as good as the oil, but it is a positive taste that I can relate to chocolate in some way. My friends and I typically pass a bag of it around with a spoon and eat it with juice or milk. The effects are the same, though this product seems to have an increase in pleasant sedation.

Then, there are the resin extracts of Nymphea caerulea. These are typically smoked. The effect of this product is quite unique when compared with the other methods of comsuming the plant. There is an extreme mood lift and euphoric nature, again similar to MDMA. Once, my girlfriend and I, had a friend take us to the store to get a couple cans of beer, and they were listening to rap music. I normally dislike hip-hop and rap music, but I found myself bobbing my head to it, and that is something that Cannabis nor MDMA have failed to produce in me. When we stepped out of the car, we both felt as though we were rolling. For a minute, I couldn't believe I had just taken Blue Lotus. I was amazed. Though this was the strongest experience I've had with the resin, others were not unlike it.

Now, I want to take a moment to discuss the synergistic effects that I've found between these plants and other psychoactive substances. First, they tend to mix very well with other herbs in general, but they specifically mix well with Cannabis and Alcohol. Traditionally, the flowers were steeped in wine, and I can see why. It effectively does away with any negative effects produced from Alcohol, as well as adds to the euphoric and social aspects. With Cannabis, it adds a dreamy touch to the high and creates more relaxation for a positive mindset.

I have also used the plant in conjunction with Methylone. It reduces the immediate after effects of the stimulation and seems to increase the time of the comfortable social and sensual effects.

Finally, I want to comment on medicinal value and a mild addictive potential. It does efficiently decrease anxiety and does have slight pain reducing properties. If I have a large amount of it around, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't use it and there never seems to be a mood that does not accept its use. It reminds me somewhat of Cocaine in that I don't typically like to stop using it once I start, and it certainly does have some stimulant-like qualities in its euphoria. This is to be taken on a very general level, though my girlfriend does sometimes act like a fiend with it. Two of my closest friends "J2" and "L2" enjoy it as much as I do. We often can't stop smiling if "Blue Lotus" gets brought up in conversation.

As for the addictive qualities, I have actually used it enough to develop a mild withdrawal syndrome. The withdrawal noted was characterized by anxiety and restlessness. Once I noticed this, I was curious about what receptor sites the alkaloids might operate on. Strangely enough, the symptoms were not taken away by opiates or benzodiazepines nor is the withdrawal from opiates loosened from the consumption of Nelumbo nucifera. I have never had any significant withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines, so I cannot comment there. The symptoms were only decreased by more use of the Lotus flower. Although I do not believe it to be very addictive, it does have some mild addictive qualities.

Overall, I am very fond of these plants, and am pleased that they have found their way into my life. My interest goes far beyond the history of them, and in the end, I started enjoying them more than Kratom.

substancecode_bluelotus
substancecode_nelumbonucifera
substancecode_ethnobotanicals
explevel_experienced
roacode_oral
exptype_positive
 
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I have not tried nelumbo, but I am very fond of strong nymphea carulea extracts. I found nymphea alba to be without effects. It is awesome for the comedown of 2c-x's. I will have to try the nelumbo oil.
 
^^^

If you prefer the strong N. caerulea extracts, you would probably love the absolute oil of N. nucifera.
 
very interesting i was recently remembering some delightful experiences with the plant. i will experiement with it further is does produce a pleasent high. the only way i can describe it is it puts you in a dreamlike state, not psychedelic but relaxed serene and soft.

did you use the lotus with alcohol? i believe that is the way to experience the full effects of it.
 
Fascinating!

Thanks a lot for a long-needed report. I urge you to submit it to Erowid if you haven't already.

Perhaps I should brew some with alcohol...
 
i've heard stories about this and combined with the fact thats its in the Odyssey you would think that i would have tried it by now, but i've always been doubtful of its effects for some reason..
definitley going to try this out now. thanks for the report
 
there is an episode of sacred weeds on the blue lotus lily. They only use the minimal dosage possible though as they are not trying to get into any trouble. Watch it, its kind of neat.

They also discuss the history of its use in egyptian times. one guy is pretty stubborn and wont admit that the egyptians knew of its potential, even though they depict drunken orgys and other parties through out artwork.

Check it out, theres a link in the DITM forum under the DITM video thread.
 
Yes, I submitted this report to Erowid.

In reply to another post, yes, I have mixed it with Alcohol. There is a section on that in the report here.
 
I just procured a small amount of the absolute oil. what would be a good dose to start at with the absolute oil? A few small drops? I cant seem to find any information other than pipers post.
 
I was going to buy some blue lotus yesterday but opted for other things. I first heard about it on that program 'Sacred Weeds' you can watch it on Youtube. It brought to my attention that you can legally buy peruvian torch, not just the cactus itself but prepared doses. I didn't think it was legal here in UK when prepared.
 
Ordered mine as soon as I read this, was expecting it friday damnit! Got the 15x resin
 
anyone try the alkaloid extract of Nymphaea caerulea? claims its 85% alkaloids.. would you smoke this or take it orally?
 
In reply to the dosage of the absolute oil, be careful. Just let a little bit run out onto your finger and lick it. If you use too much, you will get unpleasant effects.
 
I've only ever smoked petals and made teas, as well as steeping the leaves ad petals in a bottle of wine, for some quite relaxing effects. I'd like to do an extract on it, make my own resins but I can't get much fresh plant matter- on tht note, does anyone know if freshness will allow a better yield?.

Egor, I noticed you mentione nymphae alba, the mayan lily, and had no effects- thats interesting, I thought they basically had the same constituents..... I'll have to have a try, I've only use caerulea... Thanks for the report! :)
 
reporting on my experience with the absolute oil, i have found it to be only vaugely active if at all for me. Most likely a placaebo and definitly not worth the high price tag of 40$ per gram. I will not be ordering more nelumbo nucifera products. Next on my list to try is Kratom.
 
willow11 said:
I've only ever smoked petals and made teas, as well as steeping the leaves ad petals in a bottle of wine, for some quite relaxing effects. I'd like to do an extract on it, make my own resins but I can't get much fresh plant matter- on tht note, does anyone know if freshness will allow a better yield?.

Egor, I noticed you mentioned nymphae alba, the mayan lily, and had no effects- thats interesting, I thought they basically had the same constituents..... I'll have to have a try, I've only use caerulea... Thanks for the report! :)




I thought it would be worth a shot as a less expensive alternative to carulea, but it was worthless. I will give it another try if I can find some fresher material though.
 
hawkeye151 said:
reporting on my experience with the absolute oil, i have found it to be only vaugely active if at all for me. Most likely a placaebo and definitly not worth the high price tag of 40$ per gram. I will not be ordering more nelumbo nucifera products. Next on my list to try is Kratom.


It isnt an in your face type high, it is more a pleasant subtle buzzing. Dont give up on it yet, there is some reverse tolerance involved and the effects become more pronounced with experience, like cannibis, salvia, or kava.
 
yes i thought i noticed some slight sedation effects for sure but the effects did not seem to increase at all in higher doses. it didnt seem to matter whether I took 3 drops or 10.
 
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