Medicinal Uses of Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)

Liliaceae

Also known as May lily

I started off the morning research scanning my references for information on the medicinal uses of Easter Lily.  I had noted several references online and as Easter is just around the corner, I thought it would be a timely topic. 

Unfortunately, none of the two dozen-plus books here contained a single mention of it, which is interesting because it’s been used for a couple of millennia in Asian medicine.  However, four of my books here did list lily of the valley. 

I’d always read that it was poisonous.  I think I even avoided planting it a few years back for just that reason.  And that was probably a good idea because one online article noted that the berries are highly attractive to children.  That’s reason enough for many of us not to plant it.  However, its primary medicinal usage will be very attractive to others. 

And what is lily of the valley renowned for?  Its action is quite similar to that of digitalis (foxglove), but is considered safer for elderly patients.[1] [2] Because we’re talking about the heart and the potential for overdose with lily of the valley, I’m going to quote Chevallier’s words.  I don’t know that I would be comfortable recommending lily of the valley to anybody.  However, I think this is information worth sharing with a medical doctor should a family member present with congestive heart failure.

“Lily of the valley encourages a failing heart to beat more slowly and regularly, and to pump more efficiently, thereby improving blood flower to the heart itself via the coronary arteries.  It is also diuretic and lowers blood volume.  The herb is better tolerated than foxglove, as it does not accumulate within the body to the same degree.  Relatively low doses are required to support heart rate and rhythm, and to increase urine production.” [3]

HARVEST

Leaves and flowers are harvested in the late spring as flowering begins and used fresh or dried in tinctures.[4] [5]  The dried leaf glycoside content is lowered. [6]

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

• Antispasmodic[7]
• Cardiac[8]
• Diuretic[9] [10] [11]
• Laxative[12]

EFFECTIVE AGAINST

• Viruses
• HIV[13]

PREPARATIONS

Plaster.  Apply crushed leaves of the fresh plant. [14]

Tincture.  Fresh root, 1:2, 95% alcohol.  Freshly dried root, 1:5, 65% alcohol.  5-20 drops, up to 3x per day.[15]

USAGE

• Cardiovascular
• Angina[16]
• Congestive heart failure[17] [18]
• Edema[19]
• Hypotension[20] [21]
• Stroke[22]
• Musculoskeletal
• Gout
• Ointment[23]
• Rheumatism
• Ointment[24]
• Neurological
• Epilepsy[25]
• Headache
• Ointment[26]
• Neurasthenia[27]
• Skin
• Infection
• Plaster[28]
• Slivers
• Plaster[29]

CAUTION.  All parts of the plant, particularly the fruits and seeds, are toxic if eaten. [30]  A toxic dose may cause

• Nausea[31] [32]
• Vomiting[33]
• Cardiac arrhythmias[34] [35]
• Hypertension[36]
• Restlessness[37]
• Trembling[38]
• Confusion[39]
• Weakness[40]
• Depression[41]
• Circulatory collapse[42]
• Death[43]

Lily of the valley should only be used with professional supervision.[44] [45] [46]

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[1] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 266.

[2] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[3] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 199.

[4] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 198.

[5] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 266.

[6] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 266.

[7] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 250.

[8] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 250.

[9] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 266.

[10] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 198.

[11] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 250.

[12] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 250.

[13] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38047360/

[14] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[15] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[16] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 266.

[17] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 266.

[18] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 198.

[19] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 250.

[20] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 266.

[21] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[22] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 250.

[23] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 250.

[24] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 250.

[25] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 250.

[26] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 250.

[27] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 250.

[28] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[29] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[30] Deni Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses, 1995, 266.

[31] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[32] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 250.

[33] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[34] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[35] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 250.

[36] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[37] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[38] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[39] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[40] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[41] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[42] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[43] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[44] Andrew Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 2023, 198.

[45] Thomas Easley, et al., Modern Herbal Dispensatory, 2016, 261.

[46] John Lust, Herb Book, 2009, 250.