Lily of the Valley

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Lily of the Valley is the traditional bridal bouquet flower with graceful white, bell-like late-spring flowers that symbolizes ever-returning happiness.

This perennial has a distinctive sweet, elegant fragrance, while the creeping rhizome has a spicy scent.

Once called the Ladder to Heaven and Virgin’s Tears, it represented Mary’s tears at the cross, and was considered so medicinally powerful a flower that the infusions were kept in gold vessels during the Middle Ages.

TARGET AILMENTS

Legend has it that Apollo taught the healer Aesclepius that the flower is a cardiac tonic.

* The extracts are used to regulate heartbeats.

* Inhaling the root and flower snuff has a head clearing effect and is believed to restore speech and memory.

* Can be used in the treatment of heart failure and water retention (dropsy) where this is associated with the heart.

Preparation and Dosage

Infusion

An infusion can be made but should only be used under qualified supervision.

Combinations: It combines well with Motherwort and Hawthorn.

Part Used: Dried leaves

Collection: The leaves of the Lily of the Valley are gathered at the time of f lowering in late spring and early summer.

Actions: Cardio-active, diuretic

CAUTION: Poisonous, use only under medical supervision.