Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)

OriginThe most beautiful poisonous plant in the forest

Hardly any plant is so loved and so underestimated: its fragrance is famous, its appearance delicate - and its contents work on the same target as digitalis medications.

Lily of the valley grows in open deciduous and mixed forests, along forest edges, and on calcareous soils throughout Europe, Western Asia, and North America. It spreads via underground runners, forming extensive stands in which all plants are genetically identical. New shoots emerge from the rhizome in spring. two, less often three leaves from a common stem This characteristic is crucial for distinguishing it from wild garlic. The white bell-shaped flowers appear in May, therefore Majalis; bright red berries follow in late summer.

Culturally, it is exceptionally present: In France, people give each other small bouquets of lilies of the valley on May 1st - muguet —a custom dating back to Charles IX in the 16th century, which still involves millions of bouquets today. In Christian iconography, it represents purity and is a symbol of Mary. And its fragrance is one of the most copied motifs in perfumery—although virtually all "lily of the valley" fragrances are synthetic, because no usable essential oil can be extracted from the flower.

In medicine, it once played a real, though now largely obsolete, role. Because its cardiac glycosides act on the same enzyme as the digitalis glycosides of foxglove, standardized lily of the valley preparations were used for mild heart failure – Commission E assessed this use for tested, standardized finished medicinal products. Today, it plays virtually no role: modern cardiology works with more precisely controlled substances, and cardiac glycosides as a whole have been significantly reduced in use. What remains is a very beautiful plant that one should know – because of spring.

To useWhy this page is primarily a warning

All parts of the lily of the valley contain cardioactive glycosides, especially convallatoxin and convalloside – over thirty different types have been described. They inhibit a transport enzyme in the heart muscle cell, thereby increasing the force of contraction, but at the same time slowing the heartbeat and potentially disrupting electrical conduction. This very mechanism makes them medicinally useful in tested doses and dangerous in untested doses: the difference between the effective and toxic levels is very small for cardiac glycosides.

There is no sensible way to use this plant for self-medication. No tea, no tincture, no infusion – the glycoside content varies so greatly depending on location, season, and plant part that calculating a precise dosage is impossible. Standardized preparations were and still are only available as prescription medications, and even these are rarely used today. Those seeking heart support can find it at... Hawthorn, which has a recognized application and an excellent safety profile.

Today, the lily of the valley is practically relevant primarily as Cause of poisoning. Three situations occur repeatedly. First: Children eat the red berries, which are very noticeable in late summer. Secondly: Someone is drinking the Water from the flower vase, in which lilies of the valley were growing – the glycosides leach into the water, and children especially drink from vases. Thirdly, and most consequentially: the Confusion with wild garlic in the spring.

The good news is that severe poisoning in humans is less common than its reputation suggests – the glycosides are poorly absorbed from the intestines, and a few berries usually only cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The bad news is that larger quantities – such as a portion of wild garlic from mistaken leaves – can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, visual disturbances, confusion, and in extreme cases, cardiac arrest. Therefore: Any suspicion of lily of the valley ingestion warrants contacting the poison control center., not for waiting.

IngredientsThis is what's in the lily of the valley

The substances that determine the effectiveness and are also toxic are the Cardenolide glycosides - Convallatoxin, convalloside, convallatoxol, and many others. They occur in all parts of the plant, with the highest concentrations in the Flowers and seeds. Chemically and in their effects, they are related to the digitalis glycosides of foxglove: They inhibit the sodium-potassium pump of the heart muscle cell, causing calcium to accumulate in the cell and increasing the contractile force.

For practical purposes, one property is particularly important: The glycosides are water soluble and pass into any aqueous environment – into tea, into soup, into the water in a flower vase. This is the reason for the unusual-sounding, but real, warning about vase water. At the same time, only a small portion is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, which explains why most poisonings are mild.

In addition, the plant contains saponins, flavonoids, and mucilage—these play no role in the evaluation. With this plant, the glycosides are what matters, and everything else is secondary. A practical tip for the garden: Anyone who has lily of the valley in their flowerbed should know that... Dogs and cats They may react sensitively; for pets with chewing habits, it is worth reconsidering the location.

Enhanced combinationsWhat you should know about the lily of the valley

This is not about combinations, but about the situations in which this plant becomes dangerous - and what helps instead.

What contradicts itselfIt's best to avoid these combinations.

ApplicationHow to deal with this

• As a garden plantBeautiful and easy to care for in the shade - with a view of children and pets.
• As a May bouquetThe French custom on May 1st - place the vase out of reach.
• Not for self-applicationNo tea, no tincture, no infusion - the content is incalculable.
• Prescription requiredStandardized preparations are only available by prescription and are hardly used anymore.
• Hawthorn insteadThe recognized and safe plant for declining cardiac function.
• Wild garlic identificationTwo leaves from one stem, glossy on both sides, no garlic smell.
• Remove berriesCut out gardens with small children in late summer.
• Pour out the vase waterDo not leave standing and keep out of reach of children.
• Poison Control CenterKeep it visibly in the home - don't wait until an emergency to look for it.
• Nature conservationThis species is specially protected - do not dig it up.

As a home remedyThe emergency plan

Ayurveda & TCMWhat the old systems say

Warning noticesWhen you should be careful

This page provides information and does not replace medical advice. If symptoms persist, please consult a doctor.

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