Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Astringent (Kashaya), Sweet (Madhura)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu)
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Sweet (Madhura)
- Key Constituents
- Alkaloids, Essential oils
- Also Known As
- English: Fragrant Water Lily
Sanskrit: सौगन्धिक, ह्लादिनी
Hindi: सौगन्धिक कमल
What is Fragrant Water Lily?
Of all the water lilies in the classical texts, the Fragrant Water Lily is the one named for its scent. Its Sanskrit name, Saugandhika, means "the fragrant one", and the Bhavaprakash Nighantu singles out the delightful fragrance of its flower as its special property.
Its botanical name is given as Nymphaea stellata (also listed as Nymphaea nauchali). Another Sanskrit name for it is Hladini, "the one that gladdens".
It is used much like the other water lilies, for cooling and to support the heart, and the Sushruta Samhita counts it among the cooling water-flower group (Utpaladi Gana).
Benefits of Fragrant Water Lily
The Fragrant Water Lily tastes astringent and sweet (Kashaya and Madhura Rasa), is light (Laghu Guna), cooling (Sheeta Virya) and has a sweet post-digestive effect (Madhura Vipaka).
Heart support
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists it as heart-supporting (Hridya), which links it to heart disease (Hridroga).
Aroma
It is also classed as aromatic (Sugandhi). Fragrance is its defining feature among the water lilies.
Cooling, in classical recipes
The Sushruta Samhita places it in the Utpaladi Gana, a group of water flowers:
The Utpaladi Gana consists of: utpala, raktotpala, kumuda, saugandhika, kuvalaya, pundarika, and madhuka (verse 52).
Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana 38.52
The Charaka Samhita also includes it, with sugar candy, grapes, liquorice and honey, in a soothing preparation given during the treatment of poisoning (Chikitsa Sthana 23).
How to Use Fragrant Water Lily
Our classical sources give no single-herb dose for the Fragrant Water Lily. It appears mainly as one ingredient in classical groups and recipes.
| Form | Dose | Best For | When to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practitioner-prepared remedy | No classical dose recorded | Cooling, heart support | As directed by a practitioner |
| Utpaladi Gana formulas (Sushruta Samhita) | As part of a formula | Cooling | As directed by a practitioner |
Note that in some classical passages the word saugandhika means something else entirely, such as a variety of ruby or a type of worm. A practitioner can tell you which is meant.
Safety & Side Effects
The classical sources available to us list no contraindications or drug interactions for the Fragrant Water Lily. Its sweet, cooling nature suggests a gentle herb, but that is not proof of safety.
Never use any herb in place of prescribed heart medicine, and talk to your doctor before adding one.
Take care with the name when you buy. In the classical texts the word saugandhika can also mean a variety of ruby or a type of worm, so make sure any product is the flower, labelled Nymphaea stellata, and that it comes from a supplier you trust.
Recommended: Start Here
The Fragrant Water Lily is rarely sold as a single remedy, and classical texts give no dose. The sensible first step is a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner, who can include it in a cooling formula if it suits you.
If you look for it yourself, search by the botanical name Nymphaea stellata, often sold as a dried flower.
Find Nymphaea Stellata on Amazon ↗ Dried Water Lily Flower ↗
Safety note: if you have a heart condition, are pregnant, nursing or on medication, speak to your doctor first.
Fragrant Water Lily vs Other Herbs & Supplements
The Fragrant Water Lily is best understood beside the other water flowers it is grouped with.
| Comparison | Fragrant Water Lily | Alternative | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fragrant Water Lily vs Indian Water Lily | Prized for its scent; aromatic and heart-supporting | Indian Water Lily, with small blue to purple flowers | Similar cooling, heart-supporting water lilies. Saugandhika's distinguishing feature is fragrance. |
| Fragrant Water Lily vs Sacred Lotus | A water lily in the Utpaladi Gana | Sacred Lotus, the larger, more widely used flower | Both are cooling water flowers. The lotus is easier to find and better documented. |
Fragrant Water Lily for Specific Populations
Classical sources give no population-specific guidance for the Fragrant Water Lily, so take the cautious path.
Pregnancy & Nursing
No guidance is available. Avoid it unless a qualified practitioner recommends it.
Children
No dosing for children is given. Do not give it to a child without a practitioner's advice.
Elderly
No specific guidance is given. Older adults with heart conditions should check with their doctor first.
Athletes
Classical sources say nothing specific about athletic use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Saugandhika mean?
"The fragrant one". The Bhavaprakash Nighantu names the delightful fragrance of its flower as its special property.
Does every mention of saugandhika in the classics refer to this flower?
No. In the Charaka Samhita the same word also names a type of worm "having a specific smell" and a variety of ruby. Context decides the meaning.
Is it heating or cooling?
Cooling. It tastes astringent and sweet, is light, and has a cold potency with a sweet post-digestive effect.
What compounds does it contain?
Its listed constituents are alkaloids and essential oils.
How to Use Saugandhika by Condition
Explore how Saugandhika is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
References in Charaka Samhita
These shlaishmika krimis on the basis of morphology and color are of three types- These three types of worms can have the names like -antrada (damaging intestines), udarada (damaging abdomen), hridayachara (moving in the cardiac area), curu, darbhapushpa (like the flowers of darbha), saugandhika (having specific smell), mahaguda(which reside in gastrointestinal tract);
— Charaka Samhita, Vimana Sthana — Specific Medical Principles, Chapter 7: Signs of Morbidity (Vyadhita Rupiya Vimana / व्याधित रूपीय विमान)
), sukshmaila (Elettaria cardomum Maton), lavana dvayam (sauvarchala and saindhava), tamra (copper), ayas (iron), rajata (silver), saugandhika (variety of manikya, ruby), jatiphala (Myristica fragrans Houtt), seeds of shana, apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा)
The wise physician should console the patient and administer the portion of sharkara (sugar candy), saugandhika (Nymphaea alba), draksha (Vitis vinifera), payasya (Ipomea dioitata), madhuka (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and honey.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Vimana Sthana — Specific Medical Principles, Chapter 7: Signs of Morbidity (Vyadhita Rupiya Vimana / व्याधित रूपीय विमान); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
References in Sushruta Samhita
The Utpaladi Gana consists of: utpala, raktotpala, kumuda, saugandhika, kuvalaya, pundarika, and madhuka (verse 52).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
The Utpaladi Gana consists of: utpala, raktotpala, kumuda, saugandhika, kuvalaya, pundarika, and madhuka (verse 52).
— Sushruta Samhita, Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs; Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.