Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Water lily, referring generally to plants in the Nymphaeaceae family such as Nymphaea alba or Nymphaea caerulea, has a history of traditional use in various medicinal systems, although reports are often vague and not specific to all water lily species. In traditional European herbalism, water lily rhizomes and flowers were at times employed for their purported astringent and diuretic properties, which indirectly supports their use in treating edema (fluid retention). Texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries mention water lily as a mild diuretic, recommending its use in “dropsy,” an old term for edema. However, these references are uncommon and often lack detail regarding preparation or dosage. Modern herbal compendia rarely include water lily for this indication, and there is a lack of rigorous clinical or pharmacological studies validating its efficacy or mechanism for reducing edema. The evidence for its use is therefore primarily traditional, stemming from scattered herbal lore rather than systematic clinical observation or scientific investigation. Overall, water lily is not widely recognized or recommended in contemporary herbal medicine for edema, and the traditional evidence available is weak and anecdotal.

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