Hello friends!
Nymphaea alba, also known as the European white water lily, white water rose or white nenuphar. There are many legends about the origin of name of this wonderful plant. The ancient Greek legend of the water lily tells how a beautiful white nymph, flaming with love for Hercules and did not receive a response from him, from grief and love for him turned into a white water lily.
Do you know that water lilies are edible and even medicinal plants?
A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of dysentery or diarrhoea caused by irritable bowel syndrome. It has also been used to treat bronchial catarrh and kidney pain and can be taken as a gargle for sore throats. Externally it can be used to make a douche to treat vaginal soreness or discharges. In combination with slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) or flax (Linum usitatissimum) it is used as a poultice to treat boils and abscesses. The rhizome is harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use. The flowers are anaphrodisiac and sedative. They have a generally calming and sedative effect upon the nervous system, reputedly reducing the sex drive and making them useful in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety and similar disorders.
These shots I took last week, strolling through the garden of Ökowerk (Berlin).
