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 |