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Lily of the valley is a perennial plant 20-30 cm high, listed in the Red Book. Prefers broad-leaved, pine and small-leaved forests and moderately moist soils. It occurs in the middle lane, in the south of Russia, in the north in the southern and middle taiga. The people call this plant beautifully and poetically – silversmith, hare ears, forest tongue, and lily of the valley tinctures are used to treat many ailments.
Lily-of-the-valley is easily recognizable by its two developed large oval-elliptical leaves and white fragrant bell-shaped flowers. It blooms in May, the berries ripen in August-September. The plant is poisonous, but all its parts contain valuable cardiac glucosides, so lily of the valley tincture is used in medicine, often in combination with motherwort, hawthorn and valerian.
May lily of the valley properties
The experience of using in medicine confirms the cardiotonic, sedative, diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect. Traditionally, preparations based on lily of the valley are prescribed for cardiovascular disorders, heart neuroses. The therapeutic effect is greatly enhanced by intravenous administration.
Since the end of the XNUMXth century, lily of the valley has been used in the treatment of stage I-II heart failure, compensated defects, and cardiosclerosis. Unlike many heart preparations, lily of the valley tincture is very mild. But due to the toxicity, taking the drug requires a doctor’s consultation and precise adherence to the dosage.
Effect on the body:
- slows down the heart rate;
- improves the filling of the pulse, restores the strength of the heart muscle;
- prevents stagnant processes;
- reduces shortness of breath;
- eliminates edema, increases the volume of urine, stimulates urination;
- cleans the blood;
- gently soothes with excitement, anxiety, depression, softens reactions to stressful situations;
- eliminates pain, inflammation, fever;
- cures rheumatism and improves eyesight (lotion).
Lily of the valley tincture recipes
For the preparation of lily of the valley tincture on vodka or alcohol, May lily of the valley, collected early in the morning, is used. Parts of the plant are harvested at different periods – leaves at the beginning of flowering, flowers – in the middle.
After collection, the raw materials are dried naturally in a dark place or using a special dryer. The shelf life of flowers is one year, leaves – two years.
Pharmaceutical agent is prepared from raw materials and alcohol in a ratio of 1:10. It is becoming more and more difficult to find it in pharmacies, but several recipes for home-made alcohol settings have been preserved.
- Pour one part of the flowers with ten parts of 70% alcohol. Close the container tightly and leave for 14 days in a dark, cool place. Then strain and take as directed by your doctor.
- Take a half-liter jar and fill it halfway with dry flowers. Fill with vodka up to the lid. Insist in a dark and cool place. After 15 days, strain and take 10 drops 3 times a day after meals.
- To prepare a tincture of lily of the valley for hypertension, pour crushed dry raw materials with alcohol or vodka at the rate of 100 ml per 15 g of flowers. Insist 8 days in a dark place.
Do not forget that the lily of the valley is poisonous, the course of treatment should not be long. Be careful with proportions and do not forget to consult a doctor.
The use of tincture of lily of the valley for medicinal purposes
In folk medicine, there are recipes used for heart disease, including malformation, tachycardia, irregular rhythm, insomnia, and depression. Lily of the valley is useful for some endocrine diseases, epilepsy. The most common uses are described below.
In the treatment of hypertension, daily use of lily of the valley tincture, 15-30 drops diluted in water, is recommended until normal pressure is restored.
From insomnia, 20 drops of a mixture of valerian and lily of the valley preparations are diluted in 100 ml of water. Almost immediately, peace and tranquility sets in (it is better to take it in the evening, you can’t drive after taking it).
In the treatment of oncological diseases – with traditional drugs between courses of chemotherapy: 1 drops of the drug are diluted in 2/10 glass of water. In this dosage, the drug is taken three times a day 15-20 minutes after meals.
From angina pectoris – together with motherwort tea, made from 1 tablespoon of herbs. When the tea is infused for 20 minutes, add 20 drops of lily of the valley tincture to vodka.
With menopause, depression, nervous overexcitation – take short courses in a ratio of 1:10 or 1:15 with water three times a day.
Противопоказания
Lily of the valley is poisonous, all its parts contain a potent glycoside convallatoxin. Exceeding the dosage provokes nausea, vomiting, extrasystole, slow rhythm, ventricular flutter, in severe cases, cardiac arrest.
Attention! Lily of the valley tincture should not be taken with a heart attack, organic changes in the myocardium and blood vessels, with endocarditis, acute disorders of the liver and kidneys.
The drug is strictly prohibited for children under 14 years of age, pregnant and lactating women. Lily of the valley tincture should be kept out of the reach of children.
Self-medication can be dangerous, consult your doctor before use.