| Lotus ( nelumbo nucifera ) is one of those rare | | | | plant was thought to help reduce muscle spasms. |
| flowers that blooms in the morning and closes its | | | | This same ingredient may cause hallucinations when |
| petals in the evening. It is rather amazing to see the | | | | mixed with wine. The leaves are popular as a |
| condition this perennial aquatic flower needs to | | | | treatment for jaundice. The flowers and leaves are |
| survive - muddy, dirty waters. The roots grow from | | | | also made into tea or garnish for soups. I remember |
| the mud underwater and in the mornings the flower | | | | my grandmother used to make a wonderfully sweet |
| reach up to meet the sun. In the evenings they close | | | | Chinese consomme soup with lotus roots. She was a |
| and retreat under the surface of the water. They | | | | wise woman indeed. |
| have either pink, blue or white petals and are not to | | | | The Romans and Greek used it to cure asthma and |
| be confused with water lily which is a different | | | | rheumatism. In meditation, it is known to help to |
| species of plant altogether. The lotus is a sacred | | | | direct energy and keep the mind focused. It allows |
| flower in both Buddhism and Hinduism. The Buddhists | | | | thoughts to be kept in the present moment and the |
| use it for meditation and legend has it that wherever | | | | physical body can't help but take deeper breaths |
| Buddha walked, a lotus bloomed where his feet | | | | when exposed to it. |
| touched the ground. The Hindus believed that the | | | | The aroma of lotus essential oil is flora and heady. I |
| God of the universe sprang from the lotus flower. It | | | | think it imparts a clean and pure scent as well. My |
| is a symbol of purity, beauty, wealth, knowledge and | | | | favorite scent is sandalwood but after taking in my |
| enlightenment The Egyptians see it as a symbol of | | | | first whiff of lotus, I had found it to be extremely |
| resurrection. | | | | intoxicating. Now it shares center stage with |
| There are many uses for the lotus plant. The Chinese | | | | sandalwood in my essential oils cabinet. The lotus |
| use it to treat everything from diarrhea to bleeding | | | | essential oil is extracted using the solvent extraction |
| ulcers. As the plant is regarded as a diuretic they | | | | method much like jasmine and rose. Although the use |
| believe the leaves can help with weight loss. The | | | | of lotus essential oil has no known side effects, |
| plant is employed as a treatment for mushroom | | | | pregnant women are advised against using it. |
| poisoning. Nuciferine, an ingredient found in the lotus | | | | |