European Water-lily

Nymphaea alba

Nymphaea alba, commonly known as white water lily, originates from traditional medicine practices primarily in Europe and parts of Asia. Traditionally, it has not been extensively used for medicinal purposes; however, recent scientific studies have explored its potential applications. Research indicates that Nymphaea alba extracts may show promise in biomedical fields, such as enhancing magnetic hyperthermia efficiency and promoting wound healing through cell migration enhancement and regulation of key proteins. Additionally, the use of Nymphaea alba for synthesizing nanomaterials like SPIONs (superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles) with gold-coated nanodiamonds has been investigated, suggesting its potential in targeted drug delivery systems. Notably, the effectiveness can vary based on the bioinformatic pipeline used for microbial community analysis of Nymphaea alba leaves. Safety concerns and known drug interactions are currently minimal; however, further research is warranted to fully understand its therapeutic applications and potential risks.

At a glance
Best evidence
D
Cautions

Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.

What the science says

  • The study found that green-synthesized Nymphaea alba-based SPIONs with Gd incorporation showed enhanced magnetic hyperthermia efficiency and selective cytotoxicity towards prostate cancer cells. D PMID
  • Nymphaea alba flower extract showed promise in promoting wound healing by enhancing cell migration and regulating key wound-healing proteins. D PMID
  • The study synthesized gold-coated nanodiamonds using Nymphaea alba root extract, confirming their potential for biomedical applications. D PMID
  • The choice of bioinformatic pipeline significantly affects the identification and composition of microbial communities in Nymphaea alba leaves. D PMID

Frequently asked questions

What is European Water-lily?

European Water-lily (Nymphaea alba) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.

What does the scientific evidence say about European Water-lily?

4 sourced findings are recorded for European Water-lily; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: The study found that green-synthesized Nymphaea alba-based SPIONs with Gd incorporation showed enhanced magnetic hyperthermia efficiency and selective cytotoxicity towards prostate cancer cells.

How strong is the evidence for European Water-lily?

The strongest finding for European Water-lily carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).

Is European Water-lily safe? What are the side effects?

No major safety issues are recorded for European Water-lily in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.

Does European Water-lily interact with medications?

No drug interactions are recorded for European Water-lily in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.

What are the common names of European Water-lily?

European Water-lily is also known as: кувшинка белая, Nénuphar blanc.

Is European Water-lily a proven treatment?

No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.

Sources

  1. T2 Microbial methods matter: Identifying discrepancies between microbiome denoising pipelines using a leaf biofilm taphonomic dataset. literature abstract metadata
  2. T2 Wound Healing Properties of Nymphaea alba (Nymphaeaceae) Flower Extract: Evidence from In Vivo, In Vitro, and In Silico Network Analysis. literature abstract metadata
  3. T2 Green-synthesized gold-coated nanodiamonds as potential radiosensitizers for proton therapy. literature abstract metadata
  4. T2 Integrating green chemistry into SPION development: a theranostic study on prostate cell models. literature abstract metadata