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Lily of the Valley – Convallaria majalis L. (Liliaceae)
Common names: Lilly of the Valley, ladder-to-heaven, Lily Convalle,
May Lily, Out Lady’s Tears.
Related species:
Lesser Nettle – U. urens used similarly to U. dioica.
Botany:
Habitat: Native Europe and Asia. Naturalized to North America.
Prefers a rich, moist soil but tolerates some dryness, found in
shady gardens, thickets, open woods.
Description: Perennial, usually with two large oblong lanceolate
leaves up to 15 cm. long, and a raceme of small fragrant nodding
bell-shaped white or very pale pink flowers. The flowers may be
followed by scattered production of red berries. The berries are
poisonous.
Cultivation: Propagation is by rhizome division in late September
or October, or in early spring. Pips are large buds on the end of
the rhizomes and their tips should be one inch below the soil
surface.
Actions: Cardioactive tonic and stimulant, anti-arrhythmic,
hypertensive, diuretic.
Parts Used: Herba and flora (Berries are poisonous).
Constituents:
Cardiac glycosides (including convallatoxin, convallatoxol,
convallamarin, convallarin).
Saponins
Flavonoid Glycosides
Asparagin
Pharmacology:
Cardioactive Glyc. – Similar to Foxglove, but they have
half-life and lower absorption rate than those of Foxglove
(Convallatoxin has an absorption rate of about 10%.).
They have positive inotropic & negative chronotropic
action on the heart (strengthen the heart beat, while
regulating the heart rate).
Flavonoids – vasodilator of coronary vessels.
Asparagin – diuretic effect
Uses:
For cardiac irregularities due to mechanical impairment (e.g.
mitral stenosis/regurgitation), feeble circulation, palpitations,
arrhythmias, shortness of breath, cor-pulmonale, mild to
moderate degree of heart failure.
History & Folklore:
Lily of the Valley’s white flowers became a symbol of
Virgin Mary, and called “Our-Lady’s-Tears, appears in
many painting of the Virgin. Because of the step like
arrangement of the flowers, the medieval monks named
“ladder-to-heaven”, and its fragrance was said to attract
nightingales.
Sixteen hundred herbalists used the flowers, steep in
water, to gout; and in wine to strengthen memory and
sooth inflamed eyes. The remedies were so highly valued
that were stored in silver or gold vessels. It was and still
is used for heart problems to strengthen the heart.
Other: Wedding bouquets, perfumes.
Pharmacy:
Tincture: 1:5 @40%, 0.5–0.8 ml 3 times/day (Weekly max=20 ml).
1:8 @40%, 10–20 drops 3 times/day (Weekly max=24 ml).
Cautions, contraindications and toxicity:
Cautions/warnings:
- Low dose & Short term use: 4 – 6 weeks.
Contraindications:
Avoid using with anthraquinones glycosides or
laxatives – potassium can be depleted and potentiate
the effect of cardioactive Glyc. Resulting in
arrhythmias.
Toxicity: nausea/vomiting, violent purging, cardiac
arrhythmias, increased blood pressure, trembling, mental
confusion, … circulatory collapse, death
Lily of the Valley – Convallaria majalis L. (Liliaceae)