Essential NoseLotus
Lotus absolute (Nelumbo nucifera) is produced almost exclusively by solvent extraction; steam distillation yields only trace quantities. GC-MS analysis of the flower's volatile fraction identifies benzyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, and 1,4-dimethoxybenzene as prominent components — distinct from the alkaloids (nuciferine, neferine) that dominate non-volatile extracts.[1] The sacred lotus has an extensive ethnopharmacological profile encompassing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective activity.[2]
Pink Lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
- Also Known As
- Lotus, Sacred Lotus
- Family
- Floral
- Perfumery Note
- Middle
- Intensity
- Medium
- Extraction
- Solvent Extraction
- Plant Parts
- Flowers
- Origins
- India, Egypt, China
- Effect
- Grounding & Centering, Energy & Uplifting
- Aroma
- Floral, Sweet, Delicate
- Applications
- Perfumery, Aromatherapy, Skincare
- Price
- $$$$A specialty luxury floral oil produced by solvent extraction in small batches for high-end perfumery.
Lotus absolute (Nelumbo nucifera) is produced almost exclusively by solvent extraction; steam distillation yields only trace quantities. GC-MS analysis of the flower's volatile fraction identifies benzyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, and 1,4-dimethoxybenzene as prominent components — distinct from the alkaloids (nuciferine, neferine) that dominate non-volatile extracts.[1] The sacred lotus has an extensive ethnopharmacological profile encompassing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective activity.[2]
Blue Lotus
Nymphaea caerulea
- Also Known As
- Egyptian Blue Water Lily, Blue Egyptian Lotus, Sacred Blue Lily, Blue Water Lily
- Family
- Floral
- Perfumery Note
- Middle
- Intensity
- Medium
- Extraction
- Solvent Extraction
- Plant Parts
- Flowers
- Origins
- Egypt, Thailand, India
- Effect
- Romance & Mood, Grounding & Centering
- Aroma
- Floral, Honeyed, Sweet, Aquatic
- Applications
- Perfumery, Aromatherapy
- Price
- $$$$Extremely low absolute yield from hand-harvested flowers makes it one of the most expensive floral materials in perfumery.
Despite its popular association with the aporphine alkaloids apomorphine and nuciferine, GC-MS analysis of authentic Nymphaea caerulea absolute finds these compounds only in trace amounts or entirely absent, with the fragrance instead built from aliphatic hydrocarbons such as 6,9-heptadecadiene, benzyl alcohol, and tetradecanol.[3] Emergency-medicine reports of sedation, delusions, and altered mental status following vaped or infused blue lotus products more likely reflect synthetic cannabinoids or other adulterants sold under blue lotus branding than the flower's own low-yield chemistry.[4] The plant's enduring reputation rests chiefly on its role in ancient Egyptian temple and funerary ritual, where it was steeped in wine and depicted throughout tomb art as a symbol of the sun's daily rebirth.[5] Produced almost exclusively as a solvent-extracted absolute at yields below 0.1 percent, it lends a sweet, honeyed, faintly aquatic floral note prized in high-end perfumery.
References
- [1]Comparing Three Different Extraction Techniques on Essential Oil Profiles of Cultivated and Wild Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) Flower — Banjerdpongchai R et al. Life, 2020
- [2]The sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) — phytochemical and therapeutic profile — Mukherjee PK et al. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2009
- [3]Chemical Composition, Market Survey, and Safety Assessment of Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea Savigny) Extracts - Dosoky NS et al., Molecules, 2023
- [4]Toxicity From Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) After Ingestion or Inhalation: A Case Series - Schimpf MJ et al., Military Medicine, 2021
- [5]Nymphaea cults in ancient Egypt and the New World: a lesson in empirical pharmacology - Bertol E et al., Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 2004