Lotus - other uses

Lotus flowers were once a source of highly prized perfume in South Asia.

Fragrant flowers

A miniature gouache with two elaborately drawn blue, pink and orange lotus flowers.
Lotus flowers, illustrated in this miniature gouache, were once used for perfume.

Lotus flowers have been used as a source of valuable perfume called 'lotus perfume' which used to be available in South Asia. Lotus perfume is still made today, but now it contains a blend of patchouli, benzoin and storax and no longer contains lotus.