botanical name(s): Convallaria majalis
synonyms: lily of the valley
part(s) used: whole plant, root, rhizome
qualities: sweet, bitter, neutral, moist
affinities:
actions: heart stimulant, heart tonic, diuretic, slight laxative
dosage:
» tincture: 1 - 5 drops twice daily; up to 20 - 30 drops per day if person is large
therapy: organic heart weakness, congestive heart failure, mechanical or obstructive lesion of heart (mitral stenosis), arrhythmias, low blood pressure, feeble circulation, nutrient to heart, endocarditis
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 3
toxicity: 4; see digitalis toxidrome
» treatment of overdose: EDTA; blood potassium levels must be maintained (Ellis, p. 18)
» contraindicated in heart conditions sensitive to Digitalis, in hypertension; roots have additive effects with Digitalis and can cause cardiac toxicity (Brinker, p. 101)
» fresh plant parts are mildly irritating (Fuller and McClintock, p. 282; Muenscher, p. 8)
constituents: 20 cardiac glycosides, saponins, asparagin, flavonoids, essential oil
footnotes
Brinker, Francis. 1997. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Ellis, M.D. 1975. Dangerous Plants, Snakes, Arthropods, And Marine Life. Hamilton, IL: Drug Intelligence Publications, Inc.
Fuller, T.C., and McClintock, E. 1986. Poisonous Plants of California. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.
Muenscher, W.C. 1951. Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.