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Nymphaea alba L.

Summary
It is commonly known as Nilofar and belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family. Leaf petiole, peduncle and root are consumed as vegetables. Gallic acid, Granatin B, Brevifolin are among some of the bioactive compounds found in this plant. Extracts of N. alba (100 and 200 mg/kg) provided protection against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats with a significant downregulation of TNF-α in a dose dependant manner.

Mode of Consumption : Fried and cooked
Plant Details Agro-climatic Zone Vernacular Names Pictures
Scientific Name: Nymphaea alba L.
Family: Nymphaeaceae Salisb.
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Nymphaeales
Genus: Nymphaea L.
Fruiting Season: October to November
Parts: Leaf petiole, Peduncle, Root
  • The North-Eastern Hill Region
  • The Middle Ganga Plain Region
  • The Upper Ganga Plain Region
  • North-Western Mountain Region
  • The Deccan Interior Region & The Eastern Coastal Region
  • The Lower Ganga Plain Region
 Assam : Swetshaluk
Bihar : Nilofar, Yukhm nilofar, Gule nilofar, Gul-i-nilofar
Delhi : Nilofar, Yukhm nilofar, Gule nilofar, Gul-i-nilofar
Jammu & Kashmir : Brimposh, Nilofar, Yukhm nilofar, Gule nilofar, Gul-i-nilofar
Manipur : Tharo-angouba
Tamil Nadu : Neytarkilanku, Neytal, Neitharkizhangu, Neytarkilanku
Tripura : Swetshaluk
West Bengal : Nilofar, Yukhm nilofar, Gule nilofar, Gul-i-nilofar

Plant
Compound/Extract Activity Mode of Action Marker/References
ExtractHepatoprotective, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatoryN. alba extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) protected against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats with significant decrease of TNF-α in a dose dependant manner.TNF-α[2]
Major Class Metabolites (Content of bioactives: mg/100g Fresh Weight)
Ellagic rhamnosyl hexoside: , Lagerstannin A: , Lagerstannin B: , Lagerstannin C: , Phyllanthusiin B: , Phyllanthusiin C: , Phyllanthusiin E: , Phyllanthusiin U: [2]
Carboxylic AcidGallic acid: , Methyl gallate: , Valoneic acid: , Valoneic acid dilactone: [2]
FlavanoidLuteolin: [2]
Flavonoid Apigenin: , Catechin or Epicatechin: , Isoquercetin: , Quercetin: , Quercetin 3–O-acetyl hexoside: [2]
GlycosideChebulagic acid: , Reynoutrin: [1]
GlycosidesOrientin: [2]
Heterocyclic CompoundEllagic acid: [2]
KetoneBrevifolin: [2]
PhenolEllagic acid hexoside: , Ellagic acid pentoside: , Ellagic acid rhamnosyl : [2]
Phenolic acidCastalin: , Galloy ellagic acid: [2]
Pyran3,4,8,9,10-pentahydroxydibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one: , Digallolyl ellagic acid: , Hyperoside: , Isokaempferide : [1]
TanninCorilagin: , Geraniin: , Granatin B: , Pedunculagin: , Vescalagin: [2]
Effect Observation DOI
Disease Formulation Reference Author TKDL
Burning sensation, Disease with Pitta predominance, Vomiting / Emesis, Syncope/Fainting, Anorexia, Menorrhagia / Metrorrhagia, Leucorrhoea, Anaemia / Hyperbilirubinaemia, Giddiness/Vertigo, Jaundice, Tuberculosis / Pthysis, Alcoholism, Bronchial asthma, Polydipsia / Excessive thirst, Haemorrhagic diseasesDrakshadi churnamBharata Bhaishajya Ratnakara - Vol.-IIIcompiled by Naginadasa Chaganalala Shah, Translated by Gopinath GuptaAyurveda
Diseases of head.Sambeera ThylamTherayar Thailavarukka ChurukkamTherayarSiddha
Spermatorrhoea, Premature Ejeculation, Sexual Debility/Anaphrodisia, Leucorrhoea, Sterility, and Male InfertilityHalwa-e- Supari PaakBayaaz-e-Kabir, Vol. IIKabiruddinUnani
Treatment of Hot, Neurological diseases, Vertigo, Otalgia, Headache, Conjunctivitis, Toothache, and Diseases, of LiverIyaarij-e-sardQuaraabaadeen Najm-al-GhaniMohd. Najmul Ghani KhanUnani
Headache, Hot, Meningitis, and Cough / BronchitisJoshanda Barai SarsamQuaraabaadeen Najm-al-GhaniMohd. Najmul Ghani KhanUnani
Treatment of Hot, Coryza and catarrh, and PleurisyKhesanda Zaatul JanbQuaraabaadeen Najm-al-GhaniMohd. Najmul Ghani KhanUnani
Piles / Ano rectal mass / Haemorrhoids, Gastric dyscrasia, Coldness, of Stomach.Maajoon-e- AtiyatullahAl-Qaanoon-fil-Tibb, Vol. VAbu Ali Ibn SinaUnani
Constipation, associated with PhthisisNaqoo MunaqqiQuaraabaadeen Azam wa AkmalMohd. Akmal KhanUnani
Insomnia, Meningitis, and Severe, HeadachePaashoyah Bara-e- Suda Wa SaharI'laaj-al-AmraazMohd. Shareef KhanUnani
Palpitation, due to Scorpion sting poisoningSharbat -e- MufarrehKitaab - Al - U'mdah - fil - Jeraahat, Part IIAminuddaula Abul Farj Ibn Al-Quff MaseehiUnani
Cough / Bronchitis, due to heat, coarseness, of Larynx, and in Infiltration, of Irritant, Waste Products, to Lung, and StomachSharbat-e- NeeloferKaamil-al-Senaa'h, Part IAli Ibn Abbas MajoosiUnani
Information from Wealth of India Reference
  • The rhizomes are eaten boiled and seeds of the plant are eaten in times of scarcity.
  • The rhizomes are astringent. A decoction of the fresh rhizome is given in diarrhoea.
  • An infusion of flowers and fruits is diaphoretic and used in diarrhoea.
 CSIR(1966).The Wealth of India, Raw materials,Vol.-VII ,P.70-72, New Delhi, India
4.2, 04.2.1, 04.2.1.1, 04.2.1.3, 04.2.2.6, 04.2.2.8
    CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat-6, Assam, India
    CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur-61,Himachal Pradesh, India