Nymphaea alba
Botanical Nomenclature | Nymphaea alba |
Common Name | European White Water Lily, White Nenuphar, White Water Rose |
Taxonomy- Family | Nymphaeaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Nymphaea alba is a perennial, aquatic herb with heart-shaped or oval leaves which float on the water surface and large, white flowers. The flowering lasts from June to August and the harvesting takes place from August to October |
Region Found | Ioannina |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Root, flowers, seeds, leaves |
Active Substances | Nupharin (alkaloid), cardenolide (glycoside), nymphaline, tannins, gallic acid, starch, phytic acids, myricetin (flavonoid) |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The herbal tea is used as cardio, astringent, antiseptic, emollient, diuretic and sedative. It is recommended for the treatment of dysentery, insomnia, cough, pulmonary complaints, renal and bladder's diseases. Nymphaea alba is also known in Greek as ''Love's destructor '' as it has anaphrodisiac properties and reduces sexual overstimulation and spermatorrhea. |
Method of Administration | It is administered in the form of herbal tea (half spoon of dried herb in a cup of boiled water, 3 times a day after eating) and tincture (1: 5 parts of dried herb and ethyl alcohol 40%, 20 drops in a cup of water, 3 times a day after eating). Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | No side effects have been reported, although nupharin and nymphaline are neurotoxic. |
References | 1) http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Nymphaea+alba 2) http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/n/nymphaea-alba=white-water-lily.php 3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3062121/ 4) http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_water_lily.htm 5) http://www.ijppsjournal.com/Vol6Issue6/9733.pdf |