Organic Blue Lotus Petals And Stamens

Organic Blue Lotus Petals And Stamens is a refined cut of the sacred blue water lily (Nymphaea caerulea), carefully sourced from Sri Lanka and sorted so that only the flower's delicate petals and golden stamens make it into the bag. Stems, sepals and receptacle are left out, which means every teaspoon is pure flower and the tea comes out cleaner, more fragrant and more refined than a whole-plant cut. The petals keep their blue-violet color and the stamens their yellow, so the dry blend is as pretty as the cup. We offer it from a 14 grams sampler through 1oz, 2oz, 3oz, 4oz, 8oz and 12oz, and by the Pound and Kilo.

At a glance

• Refined cut of only petals and golden stamens, with stems and green parts left out
• Organic, carefully sourced from Sri Lanka
• Carries nuciferine and aporphine, the alkaloid-rich parts of the flower, no standardized figure
• Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes
• Golden cup with subtle floral and earthy notes
• Sizes from 14 grams through 1oz, 2oz, 3oz, 4oz, 8oz and 12oz, and by the Pound and Kilo

The herb. Blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) is a day-blooming water lily of the Nymphaeaceae family, native to the Nile and the lakes of East Africa, and now cultivated in Sri Lanka and across South Asia. In ancient Egypt it was the most revered flower in the kingdom, the emblem of the sun and of rebirth, shown on tomb walls and temple columns, held to the nose at banquets, and steeped in wine at ceremonies. The alkaloids the flower is known for, nuciferine and aporphine, are concentrated in exactly the parts this product keeps: the petals and, above all, the stamens at the flower's heart.

What's in it. This is a whole-flower cut, not an extract, so there is no standardized figure to quote. What the petals and stamens naturally carry is the water lily pair of alkaloids in the flower's own proportion, together with flavonoids and the volatile aromatics that give the tea its scent. Because the stamens are the richest part of the flower, a petals-and-stamens cut gives a fuller cup, teaspoon for teaspoon, than whole blossoms with their stems and green parts included.

• Nuciferine: the calm, body-easing, dreamy side of blue lotus
• Aporphine: the brighter and more lifted side

Dosage, first time. Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of petals and stamens in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. The cup is golden with subtle floral and earthy notes and very little bitterness, and it is pleasant on its own or with a touch of honey. Drink one cup and wait half an hour before deciding on a second; a tea is a gentle, slow format, and a second cup too early is how people overshoot.

Regular use. Once you know your response, most people settle at one or two cups in the evening, brewed the same way each time. The blend layers beautifully with chamomile or lavender for a softer, rounder cup, and the spent petals will give a lighter second steep.

What to expect. Users describe this tea as a mellow, easygoing wind-down: a quiet body, a calm and slightly dreamy head, and a soft warmth that suits reading, a bath, meditation or the last hour of the evening. It is not a stimulant and not a fast or heavy format. Compared with the flower sold with stems, the petals-and-stamens cut is cleaner and more refined in the cup; if you prefer a fuller, more intense body, see our Blue Lotus with Stems, and for whole blossoms see our Blue Lotus Flower.

Side effects. Blue lotus tea is mild. A very strong brew or several cups back to back can bring drowsiness or a dry mouth, and both fade as the tea wears off; use fewer petals or fewer cups next time. Stop use if anything feels wrong.

Interactions and cautions.

• Keep this tea away from alcohol and sedative medications, which pile onto the drowsy side of blue lotus
• Not for use if pregnant or nursing
• Stay off the road until you know how it affects you
• For adults 21+ only; keep out of reach of children

Ingredients and storage. 100% Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) petals and stamens. Store in an airtight jar in a dark cupboard; the blue pigment fades in sunlight and the stamens lose fragrance in an open bag, so reseal after every use. Kept dry and dark, the blend holds for a year or more.

Common questions

• What is the difference between Organic Blue Lotus Petals and Stamens and the whole flower? This cut removes stems and green parts and keeps only petals and stamens, the alkaloid-rich parts, so the tea is cleaner and fuller per teaspoon.
• How much of the blue lotus petals and stamens goes in one cup? Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Can I blend blue lotus petals and stamens with other herbs? Yes, chamomile and lavender are the classic pairings for a layered, calming cup.

Disclaimer. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Blue lotus is a traditional botanical, and traditional use does not establish that it will produce any particular result. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you take any medication or have a medical condition. Use at your own risk and keep out of reach of children. Formulated by Healing Herbals, run by a practicing herbalist of 13+ years.