 For its use in Buddhist art, see "utpala".Some evidence indicates the medicinal effects of plants including "N. caerulea" that contain the psychoactive alkaloid aporphine were known to both the Maya and the Ancient Egyptians.The mildly sedating effects of "N. caerulea" makes it a likely candidate (among several) for the lotus plant eaten by the mythical Lotophagi in Homer's "Odyssey".