Ethnopharmacological insight and therapeutic potential of Nymphaea alba: A Comprehensive Review of Its Therapeutic Applications

Nymphaea alba L., widely recognized as Neelofar in Unani medicine, is a perennial aquatic plant renowned for its extensive therapeutic applications in traditional healing systems and its emerging significance in modern pharmacological research. This comprehensive review synthesizes the ethnobotanical, phytochemical, pharmacological, and clinical dimensions of Nymphaea alba, integrating classical Unani texts with contemporary scientific evidence to highlight its multifaceted medicinal potential. In Unani medicine, Neelofar is classified as having Barid (cold), Ratab (moist), and Musakkin (sedative) properties, making it a cornerstone for managing conditions such as reproductive disorders, neurological imbalances, inflammatory diseases, and metabolic disorders like diabetes. The pharmacological potential of the plant is attributed to its diverse array of bioactive constituents, including alkaloids (such as nupharine and nymphaeine), flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, kaempferol), phenolic acids (e.g., gallic acid, ellagic acid), and steroidal compounds (such as nymphayol). These compounds contribute to a wide spectrum of therapeutic activities, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, analgesic, anxiolytic, anticancer, antimicrobial, antifertility, and anti-urolithiatic effects. Clinical studies, particularly in ovulation induction, demonstrate its efficacy with ovulatory rates comparable to conventional treatments, underscoring its potential as a safe and effective therapeutic agent. Additionally, its ecological role as a bioindicator for environmental metals enhances its interdisciplinary relevance. This review compiles an extensive reference list to serve as a robust resource for researchers and practitioners, bridging traditional Unani wisdom with modern scientific validation and identifying critical gaps for future research to fully harness Neelofar’s therapeutic and ecological potential.