LOTUS

Nelumbo nucifera: Nymphaeceae

THE HERB

PART USED: seeds and root (strongest in the nodes of the root) leaves, plumule (the sprout)
PLANET: Moon ELEMENT: Water
TASTE: sweet, astringent VIPAKA: sweet
WARMTH: cooling DOSHAS: V- P- K+

MERIDIANS:
seeds and plumule: heart, spleen, kidney
root: lung, stomach, liver
leaves: heart, liver, spleen

ACTIONS:
all parts:nutritive tonic, aphrodisiac, astringent, haemostatic, nervine, emmenagogue.
seeds: cardiac tonic, seminal tonic, astringent, sedative, refrigerant, strengthens kidneys, clears phlegm, clears inflammation of eyes.
root: astringent, haemostatic, works on first chakra issues.
leaves: alterative (used for mushroom and alcohol poisoning), astringent, refrigerant.
plumule: refrigerant, nervine, alterative.

INDICATIONS: diarrhea, bleeding disorders, menorrhagia, leucorrhea, bleeding associated with threatened miscarriage, impotence, spermatorrhea, venereal diseases, heart weakness, poisoning, fever, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, dark urine, hematuria

PRECAUTIONS: indigestion, food stagnation, constipation

CONSTITUENTS:
root nodes: asparagine, tannin, NELUMBINE, carotene, thiamine, nicotinic acid, riboflavin, ascorbic acid
leaf: starch, vit C, asparagine, NELUMBINE
plumule: Raffinose, oxoushinsunin, N-norarmepavine, calcium, iron

PREPARATION AND USE:
-decoction
-food (take 3 g powder daily in rice)
-leaves, 15-30 grams as antitoxin

-sacred to Lakshmi, Goddess of prosperity; brings material and spiritual abundance
-symbol of spirituality and the center of the Universe
-has also been used to invoke Isis, Osiris, and Hermes
-dress a candle with the oil or a wash of the flowers for spiritual protection and cleansing
-breathe the scent for protection
-place a piece of root under the tongue and say, "SIGN, ARGIS" in the direction of a locked door; it will open
-seeds and pods are used as antidotes to love spells
-carried or worn to attract luck and the blessings of the gods
-associated with both amber and aquamarine

USE IN PERSONAL GROWTH:
-symbolises purity, peace, serenity
-its physiology of reaching into the murk for nurturance and flowering in the sun symbolises embracing our true inner self with loving respect
-calms the mind and subdues restlessness
-seeds open heart center, aid devotion and aspiration, and improve speech and concentration
-root opens the root chakra
-helps us listen to the heart

"Centered in my heart, I form a connection from the heavens to the deepest parts of the Earth. In this is spiritual awakening with humility."

THE FLOWER ESSENCE

POSITIVE QUALITIES: Open and expansive spirituality, meditative insight and synthesis.

PATTERNS OF IMBALANCE: Spiritual pride, "top-heavy" spirituality.

"The soul is meant to wear a crown of light, and quite literally bears a subtle energy center called the crown chakra. This chakra gives the soul its sense of dignity, and awareness of its own regal or divine nature. But the crown can only be righly worn by the soul which has acquired true objectivity and inner humility. Lotus is particularly indicated for the crown chakra. It acts as a spiritual elixer or harmoniser, helping the soul to open itself to its inner divinity. However, an individual can also become "top-heavy" in its spirituality. If the crown is over-developed in relationship to the other energy centers, especially the heart, the Lotus flower will re-direct and balance the spiritual forces. It particularly heals the tendency toward spiritual pride, or the illusion that the Self is "spiritually correct". Lotus is an excellent, all-purpose remedy for enhancing and harmonising the higher consciousness, and especially for integrating spirituality in a balanced way with the other energy centers." (2)

(2) Flower Essence information quoted from Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz, Flower Essence Repertory, The Flower Essence Society, Nevada City, CA. ISBN 0-9631306-1-7