Comment: The lily of the valley, which was not mentioned in ancient times, first appeared in herbal books of the 15th century. Due to its toxicity and the highly fluctuating concentrations of cardioactive glycosides, the medicinal plant must be used with extreme caution. The lily of the valley is particularly suitable for flushing out edema in cases of not too severe heart failure when a cumulative effect is not desired (heart of old age). In addition, the lily of the valley is used instead of digitalis when the latter is contraindicated due to bradycardia. Analogous to traditional Chinese medicine, in which the spirit (shen) resides in the heart, the lily of the valley herb is used in western Herbalists Used for mood disorders. Poisoning rarely occurs due to confusion with wild garlic. I strongly advise against self-medication!
Botanical name: Convallaria majalis L.
Plant family: Liliaceae
Main botanical characteristics: Perennial, horizontally creeping rootstock, large, dark green, oval to lanceolate leaves (approx. 10 cm long / 5 cm wide) with a strong midvein and parallel lateral veins. Two leaves enclose the flower stem, which bears fragrant, bell-shaped, nodding, white flowers with 2 lobes.
Occurrence: in deciduous forests on limestone and primary rock, blooms abundantly only in open areas.
Flowering time: May June
Plant parts used: Herb / Herba Convallariaea
Ingredients: Cardiac glycosides: including convallatoxin, convallatoxol, gluccoconvaloside, convallatoxol, vallarotoxin, majaloside
Effect: Positive inotropic effect on the working myocardium, economization of cardiac work, reduction of elevated end-diastolic pressure of the left ventricle, lowers pathologically elevated venous pressure, venous tonic, diuretic, natriuretic, kaliuretic.
Indications: Mild (bradycardic) heart failure (up to stage 2), aging heart, chronic cor pulmonale (increased strain on the right ventricle due to lung disease), cardiac-related edema, conduction block, cardiac neuroses, arteriosclerosis during menopause, cardiac disorders in the course of thyrotoxicosis, mood disorders, angina pectoris, cardiac asthma, chest pressure, blue lips/face, depression
Contraindication: Concomitant therapy with digital glycosides, potassium deficiency
Side effects: In case of overdose, nausea and vomiting
Interactions: Increased efficacy and side effects with simultaneous administration of quinidine, calcium, laxatives, and long-term therapy with glucocorticoids
Preparation and dosage form:
- Internally as a mother tincture
- Homeopathic from D2
- For infusion approx. 4-8g / 200g
- Dose increase after about 5 days (habituation)
- No self-medication!
Effect of lily of the valley in the context of TCM:
- Thermally neutral
- Nourishes the heart qi and heart blood
- Nourishes the heart yang
- Resolves heart-blood stagnation
- Stimulates diuresis
- Dissolves swelling and deposits in blood vessels, joints, muscles
