🪃Aboriginal Australian Medicine

Nardoo (Water Clover)

Marsilea drummondii

About Nardoo (Water Clover)

Nardoo (Water Clover) (Marsilea drummondii) is a herb used in the Aboriginal Australian Medicine tradition to help with Nutritional Support, Digestive Issues, Wound Healing, and Energy. The flower buds are the part traditionally used, used both internally and topically.

Botanical background

Marsilea drummondii is a species of fern known by the common name nardoo. It is native to Australia, where it is widespread and common, particularly in inland regions. It is a rhizomatous perennial aquatic fern that roots in mud substrates and produces herbage that floats on the surface of quiet water bodies. It occurs in water up to one meter deep. It occurs in abundance after floods. It can form mats on the water's surface and...

Source: Wikipedia, via iNaturalist

Parts used

Flower Buds · both
🍵

Tea / Infusion

1–3 cups daily
  • Steep 1–2 tsp of dried Nardoo (Water Clover) in freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes.
  • Cover while steeping.
  • Strain and drink.
💧

Tincture

20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily
  • Pack dried Nardoo (Water Clover) into a jar and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
  • Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
  • Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.
💊

Powder / Capsule

500 mg – 1 g, 1–3× daily
  • Grind dried Nardoo (Water Clover) into a fine powder.
  • Fill size 00 capsules or stir into smoothies or honey.
🖐️

Topical / Poultice

1–2× daily as needed
  • Mash fresh Nardoo (Water Clover) or mix the powder with a little water to form a paste.
  • Apply to the affected area for 20–30 minutes.
🫙

Infused Oil

Massage into affected area 1–2× daily
  • Fill a jar with dried Nardoo (Water Clover).
  • Pour over a carrier oil until submerged.
  • Leave for 4–6 weeks, then strain.
  • Use topically or as a salve base.
🛁

Herbal Bath

2–3× per week as needed
  • Brew 4–6 tbsp of Nardoo (Water Clover) in 1 litre of hot water for 15 minutes, strain, and add to a warm bath.
  • Soak for 20–30 minutes.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Children

No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Nardoo (Water Clover) in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Nardoo (Water Clover) itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.

Pregnancy

Avoid

This herb is associated with stimulant activity, which can raise heart rate and blood pressure — generally best avoided or strictly limited in pregnancy. This is a general, mechanism-based caution, not herb-specific research.

Breastfeeding

Use Caution

Stimulant compounds pass into breast milk and can cause infant irritability or poor sleep — generally used cautiously and in moderation.

Children

Avoid

Stimulant effects on the developing cardiovascular and nervous system mean these herbs are generally avoided in children.

Contraindications

    Warnings

    ⚠️ Allergic Reactions

    Discontinue immediately if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

    ⚠️ Not Medical Advice

    This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal remedies.

    Drug & herb interactions

    May have a stimulant effect

    Watch for: Other caffeine-containing products, MAOIs, and stimulant medications (for ADHD or weight loss)

    Additive stimulant effects can raise heart rate and blood pressure.

    Where to find in nature

    Native region

    Australia

    Climate

    Varied — arid to tropical

    Habitat

    Eucalyptus woodland, desert shrubland, tropical rainforest, and coastal areas of Australia

    🌿 To see Nardoo (Water Clover) growing, visit botanical gardens, university plant collections, or specialist herb nurseries near you. If foraging in the wild, always work with an expert identifier — never consume a plant you are not 100% certain of.

    Where to buy

    In store

    • Health food stores (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Holland & Barrett, GNC)
    • Naturopathic clinics and integrative medicine practices
    • Specialist herbal apothecaries and herbalist practices
    • Farmers markets with herb vendors

    Online

    iHerb

    Wide selection of standardised extracts, capsules, and powders with lab testing

    Mountain Rose Herbs

    Premium bulk dried herbs — certified organic, ethically sourced

    Starwest Botanicals

    Large selection of certified organic bulk herbs and powders

    Herb Pharm

    High-quality liquid extracts and tinctures, rigorous quality standards

    Amazon

    Convenient — verify brand certifications and check third-party testing

    Etsy

    Small-batch artisan herbalists, hand-harvested and wildcrafted herbs

    Quality tips

    When buying Nardoo (Water Clover), look for: certified organic labelling, clearly stated country of origin, third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and a batch expiry date. Standardised extracts offer consistent dosing; bulk dried herbs are more economical for regular use. Avoid very cheap, unlabelled products — quality varies enormously.