There are similar legends in many countries regarding the emergence of Water Lily. There is a story that once a beautiful nymph lived in a lake, and rose to the water's surface during the day to seduce young men. Blinded by the beauty of the girl, they drowned – the nymph ruined many lives this way. But soon, the gods became furious with her and turned the cunning beauty into a flower; that is why the Water Lily is often called Nymphea.

Lily is popularly known as "Water Queen", not only because of its extraordinary beauty, but also because of its almost endless list of useful substances that its tender petals contain. Among these is the unique nymphea alkaloid. Its healthy influence on nervous system has long been scientifically proven.
All parts of water lily are used in traditional medicine: roots, scapes, leaves, and, naturally, the flowers themselves. In some countries water lily is used as a food. Lily flowers combined with red teas imart a pleasant and soft flavor to a drink.