March
2006 Ageless herbal newsletter
White lily was a favorite with the ancient Greeks and Romans and was dedicated to the Madonna in the early days of Christianity (hence the name
Madonna lily).
It is not often used in commercial products, as it is a relatively scarce material.
Lilium candidum L. belongs to the Liliaceae family and grows throughout Mediterranean regions and western Asia. It probably originated in Persia and Syria. Although often cultivated as a garden plant, it can be found spontaneously growing in the fields around gardens and country houses.
White lily is a perennial plant growing up to 60-150 cm in height. It’s a bulb species with large scaly white bulbs, about 1 m tall stalks and linear leaves; some leaves attached to the base of the stalk, spreading around it, other leaves erect, lanceolate, with slightly dentate margins.
Flowers are rather large and strikingly white. Each flower has six slightly curved petals and six stamens with white filaments and long yellow anthers.
The strongly aromatic white lilies bloom from May onwards. Seeds can be harvested from August to September. Bulbs are odorless, with a bitter and mucilaginous taste. Bulbs are harvested in August and can be used fresh or dried. Bulbs and flowers are the parts of the white lily plant that are used for therapeutic purposes.
The essential oil, extracted from flowers (0,3%), is rich in vanillin (up to 2,5%), p- hydroxy-m-methoxytoluene (up to 50%), p-cresol, linalol, terpineol, phenylethyl alcohol and its esters, with acetic, palmitic, benzoic, propionic and cinnamic acids. Flowers also contain flavonoids (kaempherol and its derivatives), lilaline, jatrophine and carotenoids.
Bulbs contain starch (about 14%), soluble polysaccharides (glucomannan)4, phytosterols, pyrrolic alkaloids, amino acids, such as g-methylene glutamic acid, and tannins. 2. d- methylene glutamic acid can be found in the bulb scales.
By blooming time, bulbs and roots contain abundant amounts of the later acid, together with its lactone derivative - a-methylene-butyrolactone - and
mineral salts, noticeably boron. Novel saponins of the spirostanol and furostanol types have been identified in Lilium candidum bulbs.
The bulb of the plant is used and this astringent mucilaginous herb
heals damaged and irritated skin and tissue.
Internally it has been used for female complaints and dropsy, but its greatest
value is in external application.
Externally it is used as an emollient cataplasm for tumors,
ulcers and external
inflammation, as well as for corns, burns and
scalds.
It is especially helpful in healing burns and wounds, as it
helps to effect a cure, but without leaving any
scar. The bulbs have traditionally been applied as a poultice for its properties as a demulcent and abscess or boil reliever. It has also been used to treat ulcers,
wounds and burnt skin.
Some recent studies show that the saponins present in the bulbs of Lilium candidum L. can
inhibit epidermal carcinogenesis promoters.
Lily flower extract is used in cosmetics to
treat cuperosis and the chemical composition of bulbs (saponins and polysaccharides) give the extract
soothing, anti-inflammatory and protective
properties.
The extract also has hydrating and emollient properties (polysaccharides) and therefore, it can be added to all types of formulations aimed at
dry, irritated or sensitive
skin.
Soluble polysaccharides have a filmogenic action on
skin, which promotes skin hydration. They act by holding water, consequently maintaining the
right moisture level in the horny
layer, which in turn improves skin
flexibility.
Polysaccharides are included in the group of hydrocolloids. These substances act by increasing viscosity, stabilizing emulsions and maintaining optimal moisture levels.
Because of these excellent qualities we have included white lily extract in the following
products
To read more about different herbs please visit our herbal encyclopedia.
Other articles of interest
| 
