Lily-of-the-Valley

(Convallaria majalis L., Liliaceae)

Also called: Convallaria, May Lily

Description: Perennial plant 1020cm (4-8in) high, producing in each year two petiolate a tical leaves and a leafless flowering duncle bearing 5-10 white, bell-shaped flowers with fragrant aroma. Flowering: May-June. Fruits are bright red, round berries containing 2-6 seeds.

Parts Used: Principally the flowers, at times the aerial parts.

Habitat and Collection: Widely dispersed throughout Europe in woods on slightly humid, calcareous soil; abundant in some areas and completely absent in others. Localised in England. Collected when in flower and dried at less than 60°C (140"F).

Constituents and Action: All the aerial parts contain highly active glycosides similar to foxglove. The flowers cause less secondary reactions (nausea, diarrhoea) than the leaves. In medicinal doses the glycosides strengthen and regulate heart action; for dropsy they assist urine secretion. The entire plant is very poisonous.

Usage: Lily-of-the-valley, its tincture and its glycosides should be used only on medical prescription for diseases of the heart and dropsy.