From Ritual Supremacy to Scientific Evidence: A Comparative Review of Sacred Indian Plants Highlighting the Multifaceted Benefits of Lotus

Abstract

Traditional Indian knowledge systems describe a hierarchical reverence of sacred plants, in which ritual supremacy is often associated with perceived therapeutic superiority. Among these, blue lotus (Nymphaea nouchali; blue water lily) occupies a culturally exalted position and is frequently regarded as an apex offering in devotional practices, despite long-standing taxonomic confusion with true lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). This review critically evaluates selected sacred Indian plants-Nymphaea nouchali (blue lotus), Nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus), Pandanus odorifer (pagada flower), Datura metel (thorn apple), Raphanus sativus (radish), Acacia nilotica (gum arabic tree), Achyranthes aspera (prickly chaff flower), Desmostachya bipinnata (kusha grass), and Prosopis cineraria (shami tree) by integrating ethnobotanical knowledge with contemporary pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and pharmacological evidence. Emphasis is placed on the therapeutic relevance of Nymphaea species, traditionally employed in Ayurveda, Siddha, and folk medicine as cooling agents, nervine tonics, sedatives, cardiotonics, and anti-inflammatory remedies. Blue lotus exhibits a distinct pharmacological profile characterized by central nervous system–modulating, anxiolytic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective activities, attributed to aporphine alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, glycosides, and tannins. Comparative evaluation indicates that while Nelumbo nucifera demonstrates broader nutraceutical utility, Nymphaea species occupy a more specialized yet culturally supreme position with pronounced neuropharmacological and cooling properties. This review reinterprets sacred plant hierarchies through an evidence-based lens, positioning blue lotus as a culturally apex but scientifically underexplored medicinal plant with promising translational potential.