Uses Of Lotus Flowers

The lotus flower (Nelumbo nucifera) is an aquatic, perennial flower that is native to Southeast Asia. It is an easy growing flower that spreads quickly and has many uses.

All parts of the lotus flower plant are edible. The flowers are dried and used as seasoning. The stems of the lotus are used in salads. The seeds are roasted or candied and used directly in soups and sauces.

According to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, oils from the lotus flower are used in perfumes. The fragrance is said to elicit feelings of euphoria and heightened awareness.

According to the Institute for Traditional Medicine, lotus seeds are beneficial to the spleen, kidney and heart. They can reduce blood pressure and relieve diarrhea. The leaves are beneficial to the stomach and can help improve circulation.

The American lotus (Nelumbo lutea), also called the yellow lotus, grows in the still waters of rivers or ponds across the United States and in parts of Canada. Yellow lotus leaves are dark green, saucer-shaped and often more than 1 foot in diameter. The Asian lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is slightly larger than the American lotus, growing 5 to 8 feet tall. The colors of the flowers may be pink or white, with pink more common. The gold or yellow lotus flower represents the gaining of enlightenment. Lotus flowers are beautiful things that grow from muddy waters. Plant the rhizome at the edge of a shallow, wide, closed, weighted container filled with potting mix and 1/4-cup 10-10-10 fertilizer per gallon of soil. Cover the soil with 2 inches of gravel to keep it from floating into the water.