Herb: Fragrant Water Lily


Latin name: Nymphaea odorata


Family: Nymphaeaceae (Water-lily Family)



Medicinal use of Fragrant Water Lily:

The root is alterative, anodyne, antiseptic, astringent and demulcent. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of TB, chronic bronchial complaints, diarrhoea, dysentery, gastrointestinal inflammation, gonorrhoea, vaginal discharge, inflamed glands, mouth sores and to stop bleeding. A poultice made from the roots is used in the treatment of swellings, boils, tumours, inflamed skin, vaginitis etc. The roots are harvested in the autumn once the plant has died down, and are dried for later use. A complete cure of uterine cancer by a decoction and uterine injection has been recorded.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Flowering:
July to
August

Scent:
Scented
Perennial

Habitat of the herb:

Lakes, bog pools and slow rivers.

Edible parts of Fragrant Water Lily:

Flower buds - cooked as a vegetable or pickled. Young flowers - raw. Leaves - raw or cooked. Used in soups and stews. Root. Boiled or roasted. Ripe seed - cooked or ground into a meal.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse in pots submerged under 25mm of water. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and grow them on in water in a greenhouse for at least two years before planting them out in late spring. The seed is collected by wrapping the developing seed head in a muslin bag to avoid the seed being lost. Harvest it 10 days after it sinks below the soil surface or as soon as it reappears. Division in May. Each portion must have at least one eye. Submerge in pots in shallow water until established.

Cultivation of Fragrant Water Lily:

Lakes, bog pools and slow rivers.

Known hazards of Nymphaea odorata:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.