Convallaria majalis

Convallaria majalis, Liliaceae, Κonvallotoksol, konvallatoksin (cardiac glycosides), konvallarinic acid (saponins), asparagine, flavonoids, farnesol (essential oil).
Convallaria majalis, Liliaceae, Κonvallotoksol, konvallatoksin (cardiac glycosides), konvallarinic acid (saponins), asparagine, flavonoids, farnesol (essential oil).Convallaria majalis, Liliaceae, Κonvallotoksol, konvallatoksin (cardiac glycosides), konvallarinic acid (saponins), asparagine, flavonoids, farnesol (essential oil).Convallaria majalis, Liliaceae, Κonvallotoksol, konvallatoksin (cardiac glycosides), konvallarinic acid (saponins), asparagine, flavonoids, farnesol (essential oil).Convallaria majalis, Liliaceae, Κonvallotoksol, konvallatoksin (cardiac glycosides), konvallarinic acid (saponins), asparagine, flavonoids, farnesol (essential oil).Convallaria majalis, Liliaceae, Κonvallotoksol, konvallatoksin (cardiac glycosides), konvallarinic acid (saponins), asparagine, flavonoids, farnesol (essential oil).
Botanical Nomenclature Convallaria majalis
Common Name Lily Of The Valley
Taxonomy- Family Liliaceae
Distinguishing Features of the Plant Convallaria majalis is perennial plant, growing by 20 to 30cm. The leaves are elliptical and the seeds are red berries. The bell-shaped flowers form bunches only from the one side of the stem. The blossoming of the plant and harvesting takes place between May and June.
Region Found Epirus (Konitsa)
Part of the Plant with Active Substances Leaves
Active Substances Κonvallotoksol, konvallatoksin (cardiac glycosides), konvallarinic acid (saponins), asparagine, flavonoids, farnesol (essential oil).
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications The plant has cardiotonic properties. The cardiotonic glycosides, that the plant contains, cause intense contractions of the heart and increase cardiac output, thereby enhancing cardiac function (action like digitalis). It is also used for its diuretic properties. All these plant's actions make it suitable to treat various diseases associated with heart failure, especially in elderly patients. However, glycosides may lead to myocardial hypoxia, beacause the increase of heart contraction, is not accompanied with any increase of oxygen levels. The components of the plant have a particular interest, because they increase up to 500 times the solubility of the active substances. This way, their bioavailability increases, while their therapeutic doses and the possibility of side effects are reduced.
Method of Administration The plant is administered in the form of herbal tea (a spoon of dried herb in 100ml boiling water, 2-3 times a day) and in the form of tincture (dry herb extract in ethyl alcohol 70%, 1: 5, 20 to 30 drops a day).
Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions.
Toxicity- Adverse Effects The consuption of the plant can cause severe vomiting and cardiac arrhythmias. It is strongly toxic and potentially lethal.
References 1) Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 238, 2)http://www.herb.gr/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/192/s/convallaria-majalis/ 3)http://botanakaiygeia.blogspot.com/2014/01/komballaria.html 4)http://health-from-nature.net/Lily_of_the_Valley.html 5)http://www.webhomeopath.com/homeopathy/homeopathic-remedies/homeopathy-remedy-Convallaria_majalis.html 6)http://practicalplants.org/wiki/Convallaria_majalis 7)http://www.homeoint.org/cazalet/boericke/convallaria.htm