In recent years, the Lotus flower has become a popular symbol of strength, beauty, and purity. This post aims to explore the many ways the Lotus flower has influenced various aspects of our lives, from culture to art to spirituality. We will discuss the history of the Lotus flower, its spiritual significance, and its popularity in art and fashion. We will also look at the many health benefits associated with the Lotus flower and its essential oils. Finally, we will take a look at how the flower has been used as a tool for meditation and mindfulness. Through this post, we will learn how the Lotus flower has transformed our lives in more ways than we can imagine.
Lotus and India
The lotus is the supreme symbol of the evolution of the soul. The lotus floating in the water is the emblem of the world. It is also symbolic of the mountain Meru, the residence of the gods and the emblem of female beauty. The lotus is the national flower of India and holds a very important place in the culture and traditions of the country. It is a symbol of beauty, purity, fertility, prosperity, spirituality, and eternity. In Hinduism, the lotus is associated with the divine beauty of the gods and goddesses and is used as a symbol of divine purity and spiritual awakening. Hindus often use the lotus as a metaphor for the human life journey, from the muddy waters of suffering to the bright and beautiful lotus flower of enlightenment. The lotus is also believed to have healing and purifying powers.
- Scientific Binomial: Nelumbo nucifera
- Common English: East Indian Lotus / Sacred Lotus / Bean of India
- Ayurvedic: Kamala / Padma / Nalina / Aravinda / Jalaja / Raajeeva / Pushkara / Ambuja / Abja / Pankaja / Pundarika / Kokanada / Indivara
- Unani: Nilofar – as a substitute
- Sanskrit: Sarsija / Pankeruha / Sharada / Ambuj
- Hindi / Urdu: Kamal / Pundarika / Padma / Nilufer
- Bengali: Komol / Padma
- Marathi: Pandkanda / Kamal
- Telugu: Tamara / Erra-tamara
- Tamil: Thaamarai / Ambel / Chenthaamarai / Tamarai / Ambal
- Gujarati
- Kannada: Taavare / Tavare-gadde
- Malayalam: Tamara
- Oriya
- Punjabi / Sindhi
- Assamese
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Manipuri
- Dogri
- Bhojpuri
Flower
The flower is a sacred symbol in many Asian cultures. It is considered a symbol of purity and beauty, with the flower itself often being depicted in art, literature, and religious texts. In Hinduism, it is associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and fertility. In Buddhism, it is seen as a symbol of enlightenment as it grows out of the muddy waters and blooms into a beautiful flower. The lotus flower has also been used in many traditional Chinese medicines as a remedy for various ailments.
Seeds
Lotus seeds are a common food in Chinese cuisine. They are used in soups, stews, and desserts, as well as in traditional Chinese medicine. They have a nutty, slightly sweet flavor and are highly nutritious, containing a good amount of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Lotus seeds are thought to have several health benefits, including helping to improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and boost immunity. They may also help lower cholesterol and improve heart health.
- The seeds clean the blood, and a tonic to the heart and reproductive system.
- Seed sprouts and root tea are considered as one of the best treatment for restlessness as it is caused by yin or blood deficiency.
- According to Chinese Herbalism, in the treatment of diabetes lotus seed plays important role along with lilyturf root, grassy privet, and Chinese yam. These all herbs aimed at nourishing the spleen, kidneys, stomach and also helps to normalize blood sugar levels.
- The seed and stamen are aphrodisiac and are used in spermatorrhoea.
- They also benefit the development of language, speech and expression as they nourish nervous system. This specifically helps body imbalances due to slow development and malabsorption of nutrients.
- The seeds also have a direct affinity for the uterus, promoting fertility and nourishing the fetus.
- All parts of the lotus benefit the intestines as they help to stop diarrhoea and nourish the mucous membranes.
- In China, some parts of India and in Ceylon, the black seeds of this plant, not unlike little acorns in shape, are served at table. The seeds and slices of its hairy root are served at banquets and the roots are pickled for winter use. In Japan, the stems are eaten.
Root
Lotus root is a root vegetable that is popularly used in Asian cuisine. It is long and slender, with a segmented skin, and has a crisp texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor. Can be eaten raw, cooked, or pickled, and is often used in stir-fries, soups, salads, and tempura. Also a good source of fiber and vitamins.
- Lotus root is a traditional Asian medicine that strengthens the lungs and opens the airways. A few root slices can be simmered into a soup or made into a tea. Adding some chopped lotus root to any hot soups helps to dissolve mucous.
- The young leaves of lotus make a good cooked green. The enlarged tubers along the rhizomes are edible, boiled or roasted like a potato, although they are difficult to procure in deep water.
- The immature and mature seeds are also edible roasted and make a tasty snack or can be ground into flour for baking.
- Lotus root flour is starch and can be used to make desserts.
- The root, is astringent, stops bleeding, heals the colon. The roots benefit base chakra tissues, the seeds benefit heart chakra tissues.
Stem and Leaves
Lotus leaves are usually available dried and are most familiar as a wrapping for steamed Chinese dumplings, or dim-sum. Only fresh young leaves can be eaten raw. The lotus grows all over the lakes of India, their flowers opening in the morning and closing at dusk. All parts of the lotus are used. The seeds, root and stamen help to calm a nervous system and directly influences the heart function. Both the roots and seeds are esculent, sapid and wholesome and are used as food by the Egyptians. When dealing with bladder infections, eating cooling anti-inflammatory food is more effective and lotus root can be one of them along with asparagus, barley, carrots, celery, cucumbers, grapes, millet, mung beans, parsley, pomegranates, red beans etc.
Pink vs Blue vs White Lotus
There are three main medicinal varieties – white, pink and blue. The node and root are specific for bleeding disorders from the lungs, GIT and uterus. It astringes and cools the oily heat overflowing from its site in the small intestine. Flower petals are best for cooling effect, bleeding, thirst, painful urination. Decoction of flowers is given in cholera, hemorrhages, menorrhagia, fever, strangury and as a cardiac tonic. Powdered rhizome is prescribed in burning sensation of the body, in nausea, chronic dyspepsia; externally in the form of a paste in scabies and ringworm. An arrowroot of rhizomes is given to children for dysentery and diarrhoea. Seeds are used for their antiemetic, diuretic and refrigerant properties. Lotus essential oil can be used as inhalations, in the bath, or diluted and used in massage. It is very helpful to diffuse anger. Lotus is very useful as a brain and reproductive tonic. Lotus stamen is astringent, aphrodisiac, and again benefits with “pitta dosha” burning. The flower stalk increases breast milk.