WHITE POND LILY
Nymphaea odorata
COMMON NAMES: Water nymph, water cabbage, sweet scented pond lily, cow lily.
FEATURES: The lily family embraces many economically important genera, including sources of fibers,
food (onion, garlic), spices, resins, medicines, soap, poisons, and essential oils. However, the so-called
water lily (Nymphaea) and calla lily (Calla palustris) are not members of the lily family. White pond lily
grows in ponds, with large, round, dark green leaves floating in the water, bearing a large white flower
that looks like a large gardenia in shape. Growing from Canada to Florida and Louisiana.
MEDICINAL PART: Root.
SOLVENT: Water
BODILY INFLUENCE: Antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, discutient.
USES: An old-fashioned home remedy brought into use by Native Americans, the knowledge of which has
been passed down for generations. There are few remedies that act more promptly than this in old cases
of leukorrhea, where there is chronic inflammation of the womb or abrasion of the vagina; and for
ulceration of the womb it has proven efficacious, having completely cured the disease after all other
available means have failed. It should be used locally, by injection of the infusion to the neck of the
womb, and taken internally. Very accommodating in cases of dropsy and kidney trouble, catarrh of the
bladder, irritation of the prostate. Has been used largely for diarrhea and bowel complaints, excellent for
infant diarrhea, scrofula, and diseases of the lungs. The infusion is healing to sores, ulcerated mouth,
inflamed gum, canker, sore throat.
DOSE: 1 ounce of the root boiled in 1 pint of water for 20 minutes, taken in wineglassful to teacupful
amounts two or three times a day. Of the fluid extract, 10–15 drops, morning and night.
EXTERNALLY: The fresh juice of the root mixed with lemon juice is excellent for removing freckles,
pimples, and dark discolorations of the skin. Make a strong tea for use as a local application applied with
Turkish towels, or white cotton, for painful swellings, boils, ulcers, etc. The bruised leaves are healing to
wounds and cuts, applied as poultice.
HOMEOPATHIC CLINICAL: Tincture of the root for back (pain in), coryza, diarrhea, throat (sore).
RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE: In Russian literature mention is made of two kinds of pond lily, kuvshinka—