Farmacja Polska (Oct 2022)
Using of Madonna lily (Lilium candidum L.) in medicine from ancient to modern times: review and perspectives
Abstract
Subject of study Among the rich collection of plants used for medicinal purposes since the primitive times, a special place, due to its participation in European culture, is occupied by the white lily (Lilium candidum L.). Antiquity shaped its unique position as a symbol of purity, beauty and dignity, the whole was strengthened by Christianity, linking the flower with Mary and thus making it a symbol of chastity. The parts of the lily that were most widely used in the community were not only known as a medicinal raw material, but were even credited with magical abilities, especially in the case of its petals. Medicine, both ancient and modern, which draws from its wisdom, knows many ways to use mainly the lily root for purposes such as softening hardened tissues, relieving pain or reducing the effects of burns. This practice also involves the art of medicine and pharmacy in Poland, reinforced by popular beliefs about its effectiveness. Today, the white lily, associated mainly with horticulture and widely understood ornamentation, has lost its status as a medicinal plant, but new light on this matter is shed by the latest research published in scientific journals, which associate the lily with potential antibacterial, antiviral and wound-healing effects. Purpose of research This paper provides an overview of how the white lily is perceived in a therapeutic context and its use in preparations of multiple forms and applications over the millennia. Material and methods The data for this review was provided by the medical journals of ancient authors (Dioscorides, Pliny the Elder, Celsus, Avicenna, Galen), modern pharmacopoeia (Sardinian, Galeno-chymica, Extemporanea, Universalis) and contemporary scientific articles from such journals as Plants ( Basel), Molecules, Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care or Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research. The Polish accent was introduced by taking into account the minor prescriptions of Nicolaus Copernicus, Polish herbalists (Siennik, Falimirz, Spiczyński, Syreniusz), letters intended for farmers or guides for keeping a home first aid kit in the manor. All materials were obtained in digital form with the participation of such platforms as Google Books, the PubMed database or the website of the Elsevier publishing house. Results The review of these positions proves the wide use of raw materials derived from the white lily, i.e. tubers, seeds, crown petals and leaves for medical, cosmetic and magical purposes. Lily root had the status of a softening, pain-relieving raw material, widely used in slices, ointments and in the form of decoction. The main use of the leaves was to soothe burns by directly applying the cooked material. Lily petals used in cosmetics (water after distillation of lilies was considered an anti-wrinkle and whitening cosmetic) were used to create lily oil, while the seeds were used as an antidote to snake venom and fungal poison. Modern research confirms the antibacterial, antiviral and potential wound-healing effects of lily-based preparations, but these issues require more careful research. Conclusions The white lily and its parts was a raw material known and widely used in European medicine, repeatedly described in specialist literature, pharmacopoeias, herbariums and books or magazines intended for mass use. The potential properties of lilies may also be useful today.
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