Ambal (Nymphaea stellata) -Flowers of India

March 23rd, 2007 | admin

Ambal (Nymphaea stellata), also known as water lily or blue lotus is a common flowering water flower, as much popular as lotus in India.

According to Indian mystics, lotus is the better half of sun while water lily is of moon.

The aquatic plant has roots firmly on the bottom of a pond or river, while the leaves and flowers float above water-level. There are different varieties of water lilies found in Indian water bodies. The plant is also found as an ornamental plant in almost all over the world.

Aambal is the Malayalam word for the plant.

Water lily is used in different Ayurvedic medicine preparations too. The rhizome is the main usable part. It is used in the treatment of diarrhea, certain skin diseases, piles, and diseases that affect urinary tract and kidney. The leaves and seeds of the plant are used in stomach upset.