Exploring Nymphaea alba Linn: A Potential Aquatic Herb

Abstract

Nymphaea alba, or European White-Water Lily, is a well-known aquatic herb that has been noted to carry high concentrations of bioactive phytochemicals. This plant has a scattered distribution in countries of Asia, Europe, and Africa. Its variety of therapeutic uses has made it gain traditional and pharmacological importance. This review summarizes the botanical identity, best practices for cultivating the plant, morphology, phytochemical characteristics, and other therapeutic potential of the plant. Different parts of N. alba, especially its rhizome and flowers, contain a lot of compounds, including flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, and alkaloids, that have been traditionally used for decades. A pharmacological study revealed it to be an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-ulcer, and antimicrobial. It is worth mentioning that the plant also demonstrates the potential for cardiorenal and renal complications and metabolic syndrome management. This review serves as a bridge connecting the gap between the common claim and the scientific evidence. This review demonstrates how incorporating traditional knowledge with modern pharmacological research can form a point of reference on which researchers can base when they want to explore plant-based therapeutics. In addition, by filling out the lack of toxicity data, the growing conditions, and the reliability of phytochemicals, this review helps pharmacologists, botanists, and drug scientists in the choice of N. alba as a promising candidate for further preclinical and clinical studies.