Lily-of-the-Valley
OTHER NAME(S): Clochette des Bois, Constancy, Convallaria, Convallaria Herba, Convall-Lily, Gazon de Parnasse, Jacob's Ladder, Ladder-To-Heaven, Lily, Lis des Vallées, Lys des Vallées, May Bells, May Lily, Muguet de Mai, Muguet des Bois, Our Lady's Tears, Convallaria majalis, Lily of the Valley, Lirio de los Valles, Muguet
Overview
Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis) is a plant with a strong scent. It contains chemicals called toxic cardiac glycosides, which are poisonous.
The cardiac glycosides in lily-of-the-valley affect the heart. These chemicals can cause dangerous irregular heartbeat.
People use lily-of-the-valley for heart problems including heart failure, irregular heartbeat, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Lily-of-the-valley might also be unsafe.
Don't confuse lily-of-the-valley with abscess root. These are not the same.
Uses
We currently have no information for Lily-of-the-Valley overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Lily-of-the-valley standardized extracts are possibly unsafe. Its extracts contain chemicals that can cause serious heart-related side effects. The lily-of-the-valley whole plant is likely unsafe. If you swallow any part of the lily-of-the-valley plant accidentally, get medical treatment right away. It is poisonous.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Lily-of-the-valley standardized extracts are possibly unsafe. Its extracts contain chemicals that can cause serious heart-related side effects. The lily-of-the-valley whole plant is likely unsafe. If you swallow any part of the lily-of-the-valley plant accidentally, get medical treatment right away. It is poisonous.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Lily-of-the-valley is likely unsafe when taken by mouth while pregnant or breast-feeding. Avoid use.
Heart disease: Lily-of-the-valley contains chemicals that can make heart disease worse. Avoid use.
Low blood potassium levels: It's unsafe to use lily-of-the valley if you have low potassium levels. Avoid use.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Antibiotics (Macrolide antibiotics) interacts with Lily-of-the-ValleyLily-of-the-valley can affect the heart. Some antibiotics might increase how much lily-of-the-valley the body absorbs. Taking lily-of-the-valley along with some antibiotics might increase the effects and side effects of lily-of-the-valley.
- Antibiotics (Tetracycline antibiotics) interacts with Lily-of-the-ValleyLily-of-the-valley can affect the heart. Some antibiotics might increase how much lily-of-the-valley the body absorbs. Taking lily-of-the-valley along with some antibiotics might increase the effects and side effects of lily-of-the-valley.
- Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with Lily-of-the-ValleyDigoxin helps the heart beat more strongly. Lily-of-the-valley also affects the heart. Taking lily-of-the-valley along with digoxin can increase the effects of digoxin and increase the risk of side effects. Do not take lily-of-the-valley if you are taking digoxin without talking to your healthcare professional.
- Lithium interacts with Lily-of-the-ValleyLily-of-the-valley might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking lily-of-the-valley might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
- Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with Lily-of-the-ValleyLily-of-the-valley might affect the heart. Some medications for inflammation, called corticosteroids, can decrease potassium and other electrolytes. Taking these products together can increase the risk of side effects of the heart.
- Quinine interacts with Lily-of-the-ValleyLily-of-the-valley can affect the heart. Quinine might increase how much lily-of-the-valley stays in the body. Taking quinine with lily-of-the-valley might increase the effects and side effects of lily-of-the-valley.
- Stimulant laxatives interacts with Lily-of-the-ValleyLily-of-the-valley might affect the heart. Stimulant laxatives can cause diarrhea and decrease potassium levels. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart. Taking these products together can increase the risk of side effects.
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with Lily-of-the-ValleyLily-of-the-valley might affect the heart. "Water pills" can decrease potassium levels. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart. Taking these products together can increase the risk of side effects.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of lily-of-the-valley might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
- Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to Herbal Medicine. Terry C. Telger, transl. 3rd ed. Berlin, GER: Springer, 1998.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Robbers JE, Speedie MK, Tyler VE. Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobiotechnology. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
- Ellenhorn MJ, et al. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnoses and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Burnham TH, ed. Drug Facts and Comparisons, Updated Monthly. Facts and Comparisons, St. Louis, MO.
- Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal, 4th ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.
- Morimoto M, Tatsumi K, Takabayashi Y, et al. Involvement of monocyte-derived extracellular vesicle-associated tissue factor activity in convallatoxin-induced hypercoagulability. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 2023.
- Alexandre J, Foucault A, Coutance G, et al. Digitalis intoxication induced by an acute accidental poisoning by lily of the valley. Circulation 2012 Feb 28;125(8):1053-5.