White Lotus

A cosmopolitan genus of 50 species of aquatic perennials with floating leaves. Ten species and many hybrids are grown as ornamentals, including tropical and hardy kinds, in a great variety of colors and sizes. These include the European N. alba and American N. tuberosa, which resemble N. odorata in appearance, and are used interchangeably for medicinal purposes. Nymphaea odorata has a long history of medicinal use among native N. Americans. In the 19th century the powdered rhizome was widely sold by apothecaries for making poultices. Research has shown that the flowers of N. alba are anaphrodisiac, comfirming its reputation for depressing sexual function. Nymphaea lotus (white lotus) was one of the most important plants in ancient Egyptian art, ritual, food, and medicine. The flowers were a common ingredient of oils, ointments, poultices, and enemas; the leaves appear in remedies for liver disease; the roots were eaten raw or cooked; the seeds were added to bread. White lotus flowers are still used by Egyptian herbalists for their cooling, calming effects; N. caerulea (Blue lotus) was similarly venerated and used medicinally. It is found in N and tropical Africa, where it is used internally for kidney or bladder complaints, and externally as a soothing, antiseptic remedy for sunburn, heat rashes, and skin inflammations. Nymphaea is from the Greek nymphaia, "water nymph".

Aquatic perennial with a tuberous rootstock and rounded, toothed, dark green leaves, to 50cm (20in) across, which have wavy margins. White, sometimes pink-tinged, slightly fragrant flowers, to 25cm (10in) across, are held above the surface, opening at night or during the day. Globose fruits containing numerous ribbed seeds ripen under water.


Common Name:
White Lotus
Other Names:
Egyptian Lotus
Botanical Name:
Nymphaea lotus
Genus:
Nymphaea
Family:
Nymphaeaceae
Native Location:
Grows from Egypt to tropical and SE Africa
Cultivation:
Rich soil in still water, to 45cm (18in) deep (N. odorata); right soil in still water at least 30cm (12in) deep (N. lotus). Both species need full sun. Dormant tubers of N. lotus may be stored in moist sand. Aphids may attack plants. Water lily beetles and caterpillars may eat leaves. Deep water and over-rich soil inhibit flowering.
Propagation:
By seed sown when ripe at 10-13°C (50-55°F) for hardy species, and 23-27°C (73-81°F) for tender species; by offsets or division of rhizomes in spring or early summer. Sow seeds on surface of wet soil mix, covering with 2.5cm (1in) of water.
Harvest:
Flowers are cut when open and used fresh for infusions. Rootstocks are lifted when dormant and used fresh or dried for decoctions (N. lotus). Fruits and seeds are harvested when ripe and used fresh. Rhizomes are lifted in autumn, after the leaves have died down, and are dried for decoctions, liquid extracts, and powders (N. odorata).
Width:
2-3m (6-10ft)
Hardiness:
Z3-11
Parts Used:
Rootstock, flowers, fruits, seeds.
Properties:
A soothing, astringent herb that has diuretic and tranquilizing effects, and is reputedly detoxicant and aphrodisiac.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally in Ayurvedic medicine for dyspepsia, enteritis, diarrhea, fevers, hemorrhoids, urinary problems, and insomnia (rootstock); palpitations (flowers); blood in urine from snakebite (juice of fruits mixed with Setaria italica, or foxtail millet, and salt). Seeds, crushed in water, are a traditional remedy for diabetes.
Culinary Uses:
Rootstock is boiled as a starchy vegetable, and ground into flour in parts of India, Sri Lanka, and China. Unripe fruits are eaten raw. Seeds are roasted, fried, pickled, added to curries, or ground and mixed with flour for baking.
Bibliography:
The Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pg 289