Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lily, particularly species such as Lilium candidum (Madonna Lily) and Nymphaea species (sometimes called “water lily”), has a history of use in traditional herbal medicine for promoting restful sleep and alleviating insomnia. In traditional Chinese medicine, certain lily bulbs (especially Lilium brownii and Lilium lancifolium) are considered to nourish the yin and calm the spirit, and are often included in formulas for treating restlessness, disturbed sleep, or irritability. In Western herbal traditions, dried lily flowers or bulbs have also occasionally been included in herbal blends intended for sleep.

However, the direct scientific validation for lily’s efficacy in sleep disorders is limited. Few clinical studies have investigated the sedative or anxiolytic effects of lily species, and most evidence is anecdotal or based on traditional formulations rather than isolated extracts or modern pharmacological research. The evidence rating is thus moderate for traditional use (2 out of 5), but very limited for scientific substantiation. If considering lily for sleep, it is important to correctly identify the species and consult expert sources, as “lily” can refer to many plants, some of which (such as true lilies in the Lilium genus) can be toxic in certain contexts, especially to pets. Overall, while there is some traditional precedent, robust scientific validation is lacking.

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