Asparagaceae
Lily of the Valley
Convallaria majalis
✗ High Risk
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: Europe, Asia, Eastern North America
Also known as: May Lily, Our Lady's Tears, Ladder to Heaven, Convallaria
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
LeafFlower
Therapeutic Uses
Mild cardiac failure (German: Commission E approved for cardiac insufficiency Stage I–II), arrhythmias, cardiac oedema. REQUIRES MEDICAL SUPERVISION — cardiac glycosides.
Herbal Actions
Cardiotonic (cardiac glycoside — positive inotrope), antiarrhythmic, diuretic
Active Constituents
Cardiac glycosides (convallatoxin — primary, convallatoxol, convallotoxin, lokundjoside — 20+ total), flavonoids, saponins, chelidonic acid
Preparation Methods
🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | NOT recommended — cardiac glycosides variable concentration |
| Tincture | MEDICAL SUPERVISION ONLY: 0.6–1.2 ml (1:10, 40% ethanol), under medical supervision only |
| Notes | Commission E approved but requires professional cardiac monitoring. Hawthorn preferred as safer alternative. TOXIC if confused with wild garlic (similar habitat) — different smell. All parts toxic without proper preparation. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✗ High Risk
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
⚠ Known interactions
Contraindications: Medical supervision essential. Avoid with digoxin, calcium, antiarrhythmics. Pregnancy. Kidney disease.
Side Effects: Cardiac toxicity (arrhythmias). GI bleeding. Headache. Narrow therapeutic window.