Health benefits of Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley scientifically known as Convallaria majalis is a fragrant perennial herb of the genus Convallaria in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). The plant is native to cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia and Europe. There are several folklores and legends related with the plant. According to Greek legend, Lily of the Valley was given by Apollo, the Sun God, to Aesculapius, the great healer. According to Christian folklore, the flowers of this plant symbolize the tears of Virgin Mother Mary.

May lily, Mary’s tears, Lily-of-the-valley, our lady’s tears, little maybells, fairy cups, muguet, lily constancy, ladder-to-heaven, and Jacob’s ladder are popular common names of the plant. Genus name comes from the Latin word convallis meaning a valley. Specific epithet means of or belonging to May in reference to the month of flowering. Apart from its medicinal and health benefits, wedding bouquets of these sweet smelling, beautiful flowers are carried by brides for good luck and prosperity in married life. Due to its dense content of cardiac glycosides, it is extremely poisonous if consumed by humans or domestic animals. In pre-modern England, the plant was known as glovewort (as it was a wort used to create a salve for sore hands), or Apollinaris (according to a legend that it was discovered by Apollo).

Lily of the Valley Facts

Plant Description

Lily of the Valley is a perennial herbaceous rhizomatous plant that normally grows up to 12 in (30 cm) tall. It often forms widespread colonies by spreading underground stems called rhizomes. New upright shoots are formed at the ends of stolons in summer; these upright dormant stems are often called pips. These grow in the spring into new leafy shoots that still remain connected to the other shoots underground. The plant is found growing in tamarack bogs, rich deciduous woodlands, and pioneer cemetery prairies, oak savannas near pioneer cemetery prairies, abandoned homestead sites, dry and young forest heaths, ridges, forest margins, rocky ridges, banks, broad-leaved forests and coppices. The plant easily grows in moist, fertile, organically rich, well-drained soils. The plant has fibrous and rhizomatous roots. Stem is bristly, sometimes with purple base.

Leaves

Pair of leaves is nearly basal and single racemes of flower occur. The leaf blades are 5-10 inches long, 3-5 inches across, and more or less erect. They are oval-ovate in shape and smooth (entire) along their margins. Both the lower and upper leaf surfaces are medium to dark green, glabrous, and sometimes slightly glaucous. Leaf venation is parallel. The leaves taper into petioles about 1½–3 inches long that wrap around a short basal stalk that is partly underground.

Flower

Between the leaves, there develops a raceme of flowers about 4-9 inches long. This raceme is shorter than the leaves and it tends to nod toward its apex. There are 6-16 flowers per raceme. The central stalk of the raceme is medium green, terete, somewhat slender, and glabrous. The nodding flowers usually occur along one side of the raceme from pedicels that are up to ½ inches long. These pedicels are light green, terete, and glabrous. At the bases of these pedicels, there are solitary floral bracts. These floral bracts are up to 8 mm. long, light green to nearly white, and narrowly lanceolate to ovate in shape. They are shorter than the corresponding pedicels.

The white corollas of these flowers are about 8 mm. (1/3 inches) long and similarly across. They are campanulata (bell-shaped) with 6 short lobes that curve outward. Within the corolla of each flower, there are 6 stamens with short filaments and a single style with a tripartite stigma. The ovary of each flower has 3 cells. The blooming period occurs from late May to early June, lasting about 3 weeks. The flowers are quite fragrant.

Fruits

Fertile flowers are followed by small globoid berries (one berry per fertile flower) that are 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) diameter. The interior of each berry is juicy, containing 1-6 seeds. These seeds are 3-4 mm. long and light brown with darker scar tissue at their bases; they are more or less ovoid in shape, but also rather irregular and chunky. Not all plants produce fruit.

Health benefits of Lily of the Valley

Listed below are some of the well-known health benefits of using Lily of the Valley

1. Good for cardiovascular health

Lily of the valley is considered as a cardiac tonic. It helps in relieving numerous problems concerning to the health of your heart. It is considered to be healthier as well as safer than digitalis or foxglove, other herbs used in treating heart diseases. It is used for treating congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, dropsy and cardiac debility. Flavonoids present in the herb helps to improve your heart health by encouraging your arteries, thus aiding in dilation of the blood. Compared to other herbs, lily of the valley has been declared as being more effective and safe for senior individuals. The herb is also used in treating arrhythmia as it improves the muscular functioning of the heart. Similarly, it normalizes and controls the rate of your heartbeat by curing irregular heartbeat. Glycosides present in the herb reduce the risk of heart attack.(1), (2)

2. Improves cognitive function

It has been stated that lily of the valley can improve the functioning of the nervous system. The anti-ageing properties of the herb help in limiting the onset of age-related decline in your cognitive skills. Consuming the herb helps in improving the recollection ability, this is a common age-related issue senior individual face. It has been pointed out to have a positive impact on improving memory as well. Lily of the valley is also used in treating epilepsy, and ageing of brain cells.(3)

3. Controls blood pressure

Diuretic properties of the herb aids in dilating your blood vessels. Flavonoids in the plant help in stimulating the arteries, thus easing the flow of blood. This in turn aids in controlling and managing your blood pressure levels.(4)

4. Manages urinary tract infection

Lily of the Valley has diuretic properties that help in improving and increasing the formation of urine in your body. Through this property, the herb helps in flushing out the toxins and infection-causing bacteria from the urinary tract. It also helps by removing the excess amount of water in your body. As the microbes are flushed out from your system, the herb is extremely helpful for curing UTIs. Similarly, the diuretic property of the herb aids in detoxifying your liver, thus getting rid of the harmful toxins. (5)

5. Treats depression

The therapeutic properties possessed by lily of the valley make it helpful in the treatment of anxiety and depression. Essential oil produced from the flower aids in relaxing and calming your mind. It can be applied on the back of your neck or on the temples to cure restlessness as well.

6. Treats chronic lung diseases

Lily of the valley is used in the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) such as asthma and emphysema. The herbs ability to ease out your breathing aids in this function. It is also beneficial in the treatment of pulmonary edema.

7. Improves kidney health

Lily of the Valley helps in improving your kidney health by avoiding the deposition of toxins. It also helps by reducing water retention and bloating in your body. Lily of the valley is also beneficial in breaking down the kidney stones.

8. Treats Irregular Heartbeat

Lily of the valley ingested in tea or tincture form can rectify an irregular heartbeat. The poison in this flower reduces the heart beat enabling it to function more rhythmically and regularly. It decreases the myocardium discomfort and stabilizes the heart functions without the aid of any extra oxygen. But carefully measured amounts should be administered under expert supervision, as large amounts could be fatal to health.

9. Manages digestion

The laxative as well as the purgative properties of the herb aids in improving your digestion. It regulates the digestion process, keeping it healthy and avoiding the development of any digestion-related issues. It aids in the smooth excretion of waste and also provides relief from constipation

10. Manages gout

Essential oil extracted from the herb is extremely beneficial in treating gout. You can apply the oil onto the affected areas, such as the joints and bones to reduce the inflammation and the pain.

11. Mental Problems

Legends say that if a person puts the oil of lily of valley on his forehead, it would impart common sense into him! The essential oil of lily of valley is used in aromatherapy to treat headaches, depression, and melancholy. It may also be used to treat memory loss, apoplexy and epilepsy. It is used to strengthen the brain cells and improve the cognitive processes of the brain.

12. Reduces fever

The antipyretic property of lily of the valley is beneficial in treating fevers. It helps by controlling the blood circulation in your body, which in turn helps in reducing your body temperature.

13. Reduces Scars

An ointment made of lily of valley is used for treating burns and other wounds without leaving any scars. It is also helpful in healing the scar tissues quickly and effectively.

Traditional uses and benefits of Lily of the Valley

• Lily of the valley has a long and proven reputation in herbal medicine in the treatment of heart complaints.
• It contains the glycosides convallarin and convallamarin which are powerful cardiac tonics and diuretics and are also used in allopathic medicine.
• All parts of the plant are antispasmodic, cardio tonic, strongly diuretic, emetic, febrifuge, laxative and sedative.
• The plant is usually harvested when in flower and can be dried for later use, though it is stronger acting when fresh.
• Inflorescence is said to be the most active medicinally and is often harvested separately.
• An infusion of the flowers and roots is a digitalis substitute (obtained from Digitalis species), though less powerful, that is especially useful in the treatment of valvula heart diseases, cardiac debility, dropsy and chronic lung problems such as emphysema.
• Lily of the valley encourages the heart to beat more slowly, regularly and efficiently, at the same time it is strongly diuretic, reducing blood volume and lowering blood pressure.
• Its effect is less cumulative than digitalis which makes it safer for elderly patients.
• It is often recommended combined with the fruits of Crataegus spp.
• An ointment made from the roots is used in the treatment of burns and to prevent scar tissue.
• Essential oil of lily of the valley is used to relieve depression, imbue gentleness, happiness, modesty, a sweet disposition and sense of security.
• The herb has been used for weak contractions during childbirth as well as for epileptic seizures, strokes, angina and ensuing paralysis, conjunctivitis, and leprosy.
• Lily of the valley has been recommended for strengthening the brain and rejuvenating a weak memory.
• It was often used in the past as antidote for gas poisoning (especially during the WWI), in treatment of heart disorders, epilepsy, skin burns and to induce sedation.

Lily Of The Valley Scented Oil

Ingredients

• A jarful of fresh lily of the valley blossoms
• Cold pressed olive oil

Directions

1. Fill a glass jar with lily of the valley blossoms.
2. Pour in the oil.
3. Using a wooden spoon, press the flowers down to release the scent into the oil.
4. Set it aside for 24 hours to infuse.
5. Then, strain the oil into the bowl.
6. Return the oil to the jar using a funnel.
7. Repeat the entire process a dozen times.
8. Seal the jar and store out of direct light.

Other Facts

• An essential oil is obtained from the flowers.
• It is used in perfumery and for snuff.
• Green dye is obtained from the leaves in spring.
• Yellow dye is obtained from the leaves in autumn.
• Plants can be grown as a ground cover in woodland shade or in a shrubbery.
• Lily of the valley has been used in weddings and can be very expensive.
• The leaves yield a green dye, with lime water.
• It became Finland’s national flower in 1967 and was the floral emblem of Yugoslavia.
• According to the Bible, the lily of the valley blossomed from the spot on the ground where Mary’s tears fell at the foot of the cross.
• It is also considered the flower of fairies, its tiny bells used as cups from which to drink.
• Lily of the valley is also known as “May Lily” because it blooms during the May and represents birth flower of May.
• Lily of the valley was often used for the preparation of wedding bouquets during the Middle Ages because it symbolizes modesty, chastity and purity. Lily of the valley also signifies “return of happiness”.
• Lily of the valley plant is used in the cosmetic industry for the manufacture of perfumes.

Precautions

• All parts of the plant are poisonous.
• Leaves can be a mild skin irritant.
• Overdose may lead to nausea, vomiting, stupor, color perception disorders, gastrointestinal irritation, dehydration and cardiac arrhythmias.
• All parts of the plant are potentially poisonous, including the red berries which may be attractive to children.
• If ingested, the plant can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and irregular heartbeats.
• This herb should not be mixed with beta blocker drugs, lanoxin, quindine, digoxin and calcium salts.
• Red berries of the plant are highly poisonous and should never be consumed.
• It should never be consumed during pregnancy and lactation as it can affect the baby.
• Never use this herb as a replacement for your regular medication.
• Always consult an expert before you go all natural.

References:

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=42909#null

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Convallaria+majalis

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c250

http://www.floracatalana.net/convallaria-majalis-l-

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=COMA7

https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=5375

https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53/#b

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily_of_the_valley

http://www.eu-nomen.eu/portal/taxon.php?GUID=FCE7E373-8B78-4C29-864B-A10C1F5AED26

http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-303076

https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/l/lilofv23.html

https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/CNKMA

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