Natural Remedies - Healing with Medicinal Herbs

Water lily

White Water Lily / Yellow Water Lily (Nymphaea alba/Nuphar luteum Nymphaeaceae)


Other Names: European White Water Lily, Mud Flower, Water Rose, Yellow Cork, Spadderdock, Brandy-Bottle

These aquatic plants feature floating leaves, submerged stems, and a thickened rhizome anchoring them to the lakebed. Their fragrant flowers and large leaves grow on long stalks. White water lily flowers reach up to 12 cm in diameter, while yellow water lily flowers are 4–5 cm.


Parts for Use

Rhizome (both plants) and White Water Lily Flowers

  1. Rhizomes are harvested during dormancy, dried with flowers, and used for decoctions.

Ingredients

Rhizomes contain sesquiterpene alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and vitamin C, contributing to their therapeutic effects.


Use in Treatment

White water lily has a calming effect, relieving diarrhea, intestinal inflammation, and high blood pressure. Yellow water lily, traditionally used to reduce sexual desire and counter alcohol intoxication, shares this anaphrodisiac property. Both plants treat skin, mouth, and throat inflammation, as well as catarrh. Yellow water lily also addresses vaginal discharge and fungal infections. A 1973 study confirmed their antifungal activity, attributed to sesquiterpene alkaloids in the rhizomes.


Cultivation

Plant in nutrient-rich, moist soil, submerged in water up to 45 cm deep.


Preparation and Dosage

For Internal Use (White Water Lily: Excessive Sex Drive, Diarrhea)

  1. Infusion: Steep 5 g dried flowers in 250 ml boiling water for 20 minutes, strain, drink 2–3 cups daily.
  2. Decoction: Boil 5 g dried rhizome in 200 ml water for 15 minutes, drink 2–3 cups daily.

Yellow Water Lily: Use only as prescribed by a doctor or herbalist.

For External Use (Cracked Skin, Burns, Diaper Rash)

  1. Compress: Soak a cloth in the decoction, apply to affected areas 3–6 times daily.

Warnings

  1. Consult a healthcare professional before use.
  2. Use white water lily only as prescribed by a herbalist.
  3. Prolonged use of white water lily may cause irreversible loss of sexual desire.
  4. Use yellow water lily only as prescribed by a herbalist.