The Lotus Eaters

In literature, Homer's epic tale "The Odyssey" relates a tale of the Lotus Eaters. This was a race of people that survived by eating the Lotus plant. According to Odysseus those who eat the Lotus are so enamored by the delicious taste that they lose all desire of home. The taste was almost addicting. Odysseus had to force his men back on the ship so he could continue his journey. That must be some tasty plant!

After a bit of research, I find that this "Lotus" could be any number of water plants. This started me thinking about the water lilies that grow in my little pond..could they be edible? Are they what Odysseus was referring to as the Lotus? I dug a little further and find that these water lilies are edible! Who knew?? The lilies and parts can be eaten in a variety of ways. They can be eaten raw, the leaves can be cooked like any vegetable, the seeds can be ground into a flour and even the roots or tubers can be used in the same way as potatoes. Ahh, the multi-purpose plant!

Now comes another surprising fact..the water lily has medicinal value, too! I am always on the lookout for herbal remedies and this seems to fit the bill for several maladies. The thickened root or tuber can be boiled in water to be used to combat diarrhea. Some say it tastes a lot like sweet potatoes so that should be helpful in administering this as a medicine! Another use for the water lily is as a remedy for sore throats. It seems that the water from boiling the roots can be used as a gargle! Now..when you think of it, these two bits of information might come in right handy if you are out camping and get either diarrhea or a sore throat! Just grab a few of the very common water lilies, yank them from the water, cut off the roots and boil them. Your problems should come to an end..unless you are careless and encounter a cottonmouth moccasin in the pond where the lilies grow..or if it is some highly polluted area and the lilies contain toxic chemicals..or if you happen to mis-identify the lily and get some poisonous plant instead. Well..it was a good thought anyway! As with this and all plants..a positive identification is a must!

For now, I think my lilies will stay in the pond and just bring me a bit of joy when they bloom. I love to see the yellow and pink blossoms afloat on the water with dragonflies flitting about them.