May lily of the valley - a delicate flower with poisonous berries?

The end of May and the beginning of June is the time for the May lily of the valley to bloom. This plant attracts not only with its appearance and alluring aroma, but also with its healing properties. The flower is used to prepare medicines. At the same time, few people think about whether lily of the valley is poisonous or not. But improper preparation and use of preparations based on it and even inhalation of the aroma of flowers can lead to serious poisoning.

Properties of lily of the valley

It is recommended to learn to distinguish the May lily of the valley from other similar plants that bloom in May and June. This is a perennial plant belonging to the Asparagus family. Listed in the Red Book. It has a horizontal root system with good development. The leaves are lanceolate, large, dark green, slightly pointed at the tops.

One stem grows between the leaves, above the middle of which one cluster with flowers is formed. Flowering lasts up to twenty days; at the end of the process, an ovary with an orange-colored berry is formed. The fruit often contains two seeds.

The poisonous flower is medicinal and is used in medicine due to its properties. The composition contains various beneficial substances.

Substances:

• Essential oils that have a beneficial effect on the nervous and hormonal systems.
• Flavonoids strengthen vascular walls.
• Saponins have an anti-inflammatory effect.
• Organic acids normalize the digestion process and have a strengthening effect on the immune system.
• Important microelements and vitamins.
• , which have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart muscle.
• Coumarins improve the process of hematopoiesis and restore blood composition.
• Sugars that provide nutrition to the heart and nerve fibers.

However, substances from lily of the valley are used for medical purposes in minimal quantities. It is not recommended to use the plant for medicinal purposes on your own to avoid overdose and negative consequences.

May lily of the valley - modest and cute flowers with healing potential

The spring flower is well known to many. The species stands out for its charm and sweet aroma. Symbolizes chastity, purity, happiness, luck and humility.

The May lily of the valley is known for its numerous healing properties, is a decoration for gardens, and is great in bouquets. The species has been used in medicine since the 19th century. The lily of the valley symbolized belonging to the medical class.

However, be careful: if used incorrectly, the lily of the valley plant is a strong poison.

Botanical description

The plant's Latin name Convallaria or convalia translates as "lily of the valley." Habitat: Eurasian and North American continents, most of Russia. According to one of the international classifications, the semi-shade-loving forest plant is the only representative of the Lily of the Valley genus of the Asparagus family.

The delicate aroma and graceful beauty of the plant caused the species to be on the verge of extinction and listed in the Red Book. Currently, the population of the graceful lily of the valley is slowly but recovering. Lily of the valley is found in shady, damp places. The culture grows up to twenty centimeters. Lilies of the valley bloom from the first ten days of May to June.

In the forest, the May lily of the valley forms a dense carpet. Cord-like roots are located horizontally. Thanks to its branched, powerful root system, lily of the valley easily tolerates cold. 2-3 leaves and a leafless peduncle extend from the rhizome. Small snow-white, porcelain-like flowers resemble miniature bells with patterned edges.

Flowers are collected in a drooping one-sided brush. Lily of the valley bears fruit in August-September with red berries.

Interesting fact! In the hit TV series Breaking Bad, main character Walter White uses toxic lily of the valley berries to poison Brock.

Lily of the valley has large, elliptical leaves. Two or three leaf blades with longitudinal venation are located at the base of the stem. Lily of the valleys is used as a garden and medicinal plant, propagated vegetatively and by seeds.

All parts of the perennial contain cardiac glycosides and are poisonous to humans, domestic animals and most wild animals. Despite this, the plant is widely used in folk medicine and pharmacology.

Convalia has cardiac stimulating, diuretic, antioxidant, antispasmodic, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties.

Procurement of raw materials

The flowers and leaves of the plant are harvested for medicinal purposes. When collecting, the leaves and flower shoot are carefully cut off with a knife or sickle at a height of three to five centimeters from the soil. Do not tear off or pull out plants so as not to damage the root system. Raw materials are prepared in dry weather. The leaves of the “forest wizard” are collected and dried during the budding period.

The inflorescences along with the leaves are dried in a dark, dry place. The sun's rays destroy active compounds. The collected raw materials are laid out on grids in an even layer no thicker than 1 centimeter. The room should be well ventilated. The collected raw materials are dried on the day of collection in order to preserve as many biologically active substances as possible.

Dried leaves and inflorescences are contained in accordance with the rules for storing toxic substances.

! The essential oil obtained from lily of the valley flowers has a sweet aroma and is considered an aphrodisiac. Perfumers readily use it to create aromatic compositions. The note of lily of the valley can be felt in many perfumes created for major fashion houses (Chanel, Gucci, Dior, Nina Ricci, Lancome).

Chemical composition

All parts of convalia contain more than two dozen cardiac glycosides, the most valuable of which are convaloltoxin and convallazid. The composition contains sugars, starch, organic acids, farnesol, alkaloid mayalin, coumarins, quercetin derivatives, essential oil, steroid saponins, ash.

We advise you to read: Burdock

Pharmacological properties

The cardiac glycosides contained in convalia act as regulators of the activity of the cardiovascular system.

The complex of biologically active components of the plant effectively treats:

• arrhythmia;
• neuroses of menopausal nature;
• acute endocarditis;
• cholecystitis.

Lily of the valley preparations are recommended for internal use, administered intravenously or subcutaneously. For medical purposes, they use infusion, dry extract of lily of the valley, alcohol tincture, and ampoule preparations. The drug “Korglikon” is produced on the basis of convalia.

The extract from the plant is part of Zelenin drops. Convalia drugs slow down the heart rate, relieve pain, shortness of breath, cyanosis and swelling.

With the help of preparations from this plant it is possible to reduce venous pressure, increase intestinal motility, and use it to treat eye infections. Extracts and extracts of lily of the valley improve blood supply to the brain, have a beneficial effect on memory impairment and dizziness.

They have a mild diuretic, calming effect, and reduce tone. Lily of the valley medicines are often recommended for women during menopause. Indications for the use of alcohol extract of lily of the valley:

• acute and chronic heart failure;
• tachycardia;
• circulatory disorders.

Cardiac glycosides are unique compounds. Lily of the valley extracts have a diuretic effect and at the same time regulate the functioning of the heart.

The combination of these properties makes preparations based on lily of the valley extracts useful in the treatment of the initial stages of hypertension and a tendency to edema.

They are easily eliminated from the body and do not accumulate, so they can be safely used over a long period of time. Lily of the valley extracts are included in many popular heart medications.

You need to know this! May lily of the valley is dangerous for children. Ripe, attractive red berries are extremely poisonous, so you need to make sure that children do not put them in their mouths. Look what the berries of the May lily of the valley look like in the photo.

Due to the fact that all parts of lily of the valley and preparations made from it are toxic, you cannot treat yourself.

Contraindications for use:

• children under 14 years of age;
• cardiosclerosis;
• potassium deficiency;
• allergy to plant components;
• kidney and/or liver pathologies;
• gastritis;
• organic changes in the heart and blood vessels.

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Symptoms of lily of the valley poisoning:

• arrhythmia;
• vomit;
• diarrhea;
• dizziness;
• pain in the stomach;
• dilated pupils;
• drowsiness;
• weakness.

If signs of poisoning appear, call an ambulance immediately. While waiting for the emergency room, cleanse your stomach with an aqueous solution of cadium permanganate and take an absorbent.

The effect of May preparations

Preparations made on the basis of Maysky have a wide range of effects on the human body.

Normalizes heart function

Fresh picked Lily of the Valley flowers 10 pcs. pour 200 gr. boiling water and leave it wrapped for an hour. Take this glass in small sips throughout the day, and the drug normalizes heart function.

Relieves pain in the heart area

To relieve heart pain, make a drug based on flowers and sugar:

This composition can retain its healing qualities for 3 years if stored in the refrigerator.

Eliminates shortness of breath

Dry leaves are brewed 300 g. Infuse boiling water for half an hour and take 2 tbsp. l. twice a day.

Relieves cyanosis, swelling

15 gr. 500 g of flowers are steamed. hot water and leave for 60 minutes. This tincture is drunk throughout the day. Treatment lasts three days.

Another remedy can help with swelling. For example, a swimsuit relieves swelling and relieves liver diseases.

Calms

To calm their nerves, they drink Lily of the Valley tea. For one cup of 250 gr. put 4 pcs. honey or sugar is added to the flower and brewed with boiling water.

Drink no more than 5 cups of this tea per day.

Hypnotic

One tablespoon of leaves is poured with boiling water in an amount of 250 g. infuse for 12 hours wrapped in a blanket. Then the infusion is filtered and taken 4 times a day, 2 tbsp. before eating.

If you suffer from insomnia, lily of the valley can help

Lilies of the valley are the most delicate creatures of nature that deserve human attention, not because they are listed in the Red Book, but because they are the main herald of spring and warmth.

Danger

May lily of the valley is a poisonous plant, and absolutely all its parts are dangerous at the entire stage of flowering and growth. You should not test lilies of the valley on yourself whether they are poisonous or not, since the harm can be quite serious, and intoxication will lead to dangerous consequences.

In most cases, small children are susceptible to poisoning - lily of the valley berries attract attention, you want to taste them, which is why unpleasant symptoms occur.

It is worth understanding that the fruits pose the least danger of the entire plant - they contain a small amount of a toxin, which in moderate dosage has a beneficial effect on the heart. However, an overdose can occur in people who take drugs based on this part of the flower.

This plant contains substances that can have a beneficial effect on the human body:

• stabilization of the central nervous system and normalization of its work;
• normalization of urine outflow;
• destruction of pathogenic bacteria;
• liquefying and facilitating the release of sputum.

Moreover, if the permissible dose of this substance is exceeded, the plant may turn out to be a real poison. The heartbeat becomes much faster, due to which the permeability decreases sharply.

The lethal dose of this toxic substance is five times the recommended dose. In this case, the patient’s chances of survival are extremely low. The benefits and harms of lily of the valley should be obvious long before using medications based on it, since protecting yourself and your loved ones from taking an unacceptable dose means saving someone’s life.

Poisoning with poisons significantly affects the condition of the gastric mucosa. As a result of exposure, it is damaged, unpleasant signs of the disease appear, which are recommended to be treated immediately.

Description of Lily of the Valley

The early variety was included in the lily family, later it was separated into a separate class and called Landyshev. This family has its main representative, the Maysky species, but also has other varieties.

The Maysky variety is considered the most common type

Inflorescence

The inflorescence appears from a growing point between two leaf blades. The flower arrow reaches 20 cm and there are small white bells from 10 to 20 pieces on it. on one arrow.

At the same time, they have a wonderful aroma that can be heard at a distance of 5 m from the Lily of the Valley thickets.

What does it look like

This is a perennial plant that grows through rhizomes and thus invades new territories. It looks like this: the leaf plates come out of the rosette and grow to a height of up to 30 cm.

The width is about 13 cm. After flowering, the leaf blades die off and appear the following spring to repeat their flowering.

Where does it grow

About the birthplace of the flower: it grows throughout Russia except the Far North. Also in North America and Europe, where it prefers shady places in forests, ravines and between low bushes.

Signs

The variety is characterized by white bells on a low stem.

Creeping rhizome allows the flower to be firmly anchored in the soil

Berries

After flowering stops, small red berries appear in place of the white fragrant bells.

This only happens if, at the time of flowering, pollination occurred due to bees or other insects.

Fruit

The fruits of Lily of the Valley of any variety are red berries that appear after flowering.

Rhizome

The root system branches quite well, horizontally located not far below the surface of the earth. There are growth buds on it, from which in the spring leaf blades first appear, and then fragrant flowers.

The rhizome is perennial and does not die off, unlike the foliage.

Taxonomy, characters and distribution

This plant belongs to the herbaceous genus. Scientists have long been trying to bring order to the taxonomy of this single species of the genus. It would seem that there is no need to restore order here - if there is only one type, then there is nowhere to restore order.

However, the problem is that this species grows in regions separated from each other by insurmountable isolating barriers.

The range of lily of the valley is extensive. These plants can be found almost throughout Europe, the Caucasus, Asia Minor, China, and North America.

The Russian part of the range is represented by the European part, the mountainous Crimea, Transbaikalia, the southern part of the Far East, including Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands.

Such a wide range of habitats creates isolation between different populations, which is the main factor in speciation. For this reason, the Transcaucasian and mountain lilies of the valley, as well as the Keiske lily of the valley (Far East), are recognized as separate species.

A brief description of the May lily of the valley is as follows:

1. A perennial herbaceous plant reaching a height of 20-35 cm.
2. Reproduction is sexual and vegetative. The latter is carried out due to the creeping rhizome, which in the upper layers of the soil hides the pale lower leaves, ready to begin active growth as soon as the illumination of the given place becomes optimal.
3. The root system is represented by many fibrous roots.
4. Aboveground shoots are short. Their structure is simple. At the base of the shoot there are lower leaves. They are followed by 2-3 large solid oblong-elliptical basal leaves. Between them there is always a large bud on the rhizome.
5. The peduncle emerges from the corner of the lower leaf. The inflorescence is a raceme consisting of 7-18 flowers facing one direction. The stem is mostly leafless, sometimes small leaves may appear under the inflorescence.
6. The flowers are simple, fused-leaved, rounded-bell-shaped. The flower reaches no more than 8 mm in length and 6 mm in width. They have a delicate aroma. The color is always white, but slightly pinkish flowers are also found.
7. The fruit of the lily of the valley is a spherical berry, similar to lingonberries. Inside the fruit there are two spherical seeds. The berries appear two months after flowering, that is, in June or early July.

This characteristic of lily of the valley allows them to be well identified without being confused with other plants. However, bouquets of flowers called pink lilies of the valley sometimes appear in markets. They are sold at a higher price as they are rarer and more original. However, these pink flowers have nothing in common with lilies of the valley. Most often, wintergreens are sold under the guise of lilies of the valley. If you wrap the bouquet with lily of the valley leaves, you will get a pink lily of the valley that does not exist in nature.

Use of lily of the valley in medicine

In the times of Copernicus, the lily of the valley was considered a symbol of medicine for a reason. Even in those days, people were well aware that even poisonous plants can be used in medicine. Despite the fact that the substances contained in lily of the valley are highly poisonous, they began to be used even then.

The above-ground parts of this plant are used in medicine: these are the stem with leaves and flowering shoots. All aerial parts of lily of the valley contain a huge amount of cardiac glucosides. That is why preparations based on lily of the valley are most often used for cardiovascular diseases.

The same plant contains starch, sugar and some organic acids, such as malic and citric. In addition, all parts of lily of the valley contain large amounts of saponins.

Lily of the valley is recognized as the official pharmacology of thirteen countries around the world. This is not much and this is due, first of all, to the fact that lily of the valley preparations are very potent. In addition, they contain many toxic substances. In particular, it is an alkaloid called “convallatoxin”. Lily of the valley herb, lily of the valley leaves and lily of the valley flowers are used in medicine. Most often, this is the entire plant collected during the flowering period.

Substances obtained from lily of the valley form the basis of most cardiotonic drugs, as well as drugs used as a choleretic agent for cholecystitis. Lily of the valley preparations contain a large amount of glycosides, which can increase strength and reduce heart rate. That is why they are most often used for heart failure, tachycardia, as well as for acute chronic circulatory failure of the second and third types.

In folk medicine, lily of the valley was traditionally used in combination with valerian and hawthorn. It was used in the same way as in official medicine for diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as for edema, thyroid diseases and even epilepsy.

May lily of the valley - dangerous berries of a delicate flower

May lily of the valley is a herbaceous perennial plant, widespread in temperate climates. Lily of the valley has medicinal properties. A beautiful and delicate flower, emits a wonderful aroma and decorates any garden. But at the same time, this is a poisonous plant, and it must be handled carefully to avoid sad consequences.

Botanical description of the plant

A perennial herbaceous plant that grows up to thirty centimeters in height. The roots are located horizontally relative to the surface of the earth. Near their top there are several half-opened lower, very pale leaves, which are partially hidden in the soil. The roots of lily of the valley are fibrous and small.

The plant has short above-ground shoots. After the lower leaves there are wide, oblong, so-called basal leaves, between them at the top of the rhizome there is a large bud. The number of root leaves is usually two to three.

A long flowering stem grows from the very corner of the lower leaf, which clasps the green leaves from below. On the stem there is a raceme with delicate white flowers. Their number ranges from six to twenty.

The entire brush is turned in one direction. There are usually no leaves on the stem. Plants bloom from May to June. The flowers are bell-shaped, with six teeth.

They are attached to the stem using long and curved pedicels.

After the flowering period, fruits are formed. Bright orange round berries. They come in up to eight millimeters in diameter. Lily of the valley berries appear in June - early July. They stay on the plant for a very long time.

Lily of the valley flowers can be propagated by rhizomes and seeds. When grown from seeds, plants begin to bloom in the seventh year.

Distribution area of ​​lily of the valley

Lily of the valley grows mainly in Europe, Asia, the Caucasus, North America and China.

In the Russian Federation, it can be found in the Far East, in the regions of Siberia, as well as in the central European part of the country. The flower prefers to grow in deciduous, pine, and mixed forests.

Loves shaded areas with well-moistened soil. It grows very well, forming entire clearings.

Chemical composition of the plant

The chemical composition has been studied very carefully. All parts of the flower, including the fruits of the lily of the valley, contain cardiac-type glycosides:

• convallotoxol
• convallotoxin
• convalloside
• vallarotoxin
• convaloxin

It also contains:

• essential oil
• asparagine
• citric and malic acids
• saponins, sugar
• flavonoids

Medicinal properties of May lily of the valley

May lily of the valley has found its use in both folk and official medicine. It has the following properties:

• diuretic
• restorative
• calming
• sedative

Medicines prepared on its basis can regulate the activity of the entire cardiovascular system. They improve blood circulation and improve the functioning of the heart muscle.

Being a good cardiotonic, lily of the valley is used for various heart defects, cardiosclerosis, and tachycardia. The plant has a good diuretic effect, normalizes fluid balance, preventing its retention in the body, and thus fights the formation of edema.

Helps with neuroses and insomnia, has a calming and sedative effect and is also non-addictive, so it can be used for a long time.

Relieves vascular spasm in hypertension, which increases blood pressure.

Severe headaches, epilepsy and even paralysis respond well to the influence of drugs based on medicinal plants. But before starting treatment, you should consult your doctor.

In folk alternative medicine, lily of the valley is successfully used to treat diseases associated with the thyroid gland. The plant promotes the proper absorption of iodine, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland.

Lily of the valley will help reduce high fever during colds and viral diseases, relieve severe inflammation of the throat and have a general strengthening effect on the body.

For rheumatism, extracts from the plant are used as an anesthetic and a means of preventing heart damage.

Preparations prepared on the basis of medicinal plants are indicated for use in the following diseases:

• cardiosclerosis and cardiac neurosis
• vegetative-vascular dystonia
• heart failure
• various heart defects
• epilepsy
• headache
• nervous diseases
• fever
• swelling
• eye diseases

It should be remembered that the flower is poisonous and any use of it must be under medical supervision. Its use is contraindicated:

• for pathologies of the liver and kidneys
• during pregnancy and breastfeeding
• for allergic reactions
• in childhood

Danger of poisoning

All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans. In pharmaceutical preparations, the concentration of the extract from it is not high and cannot cause significant harm to the body. Eating green shoots and red berries of the plant is dangerous. This can happen accidentally and be fatal.

1. After the flowering period, the May lily of the valley looks like wild garlic, and when collecting bear onions, you can accidentally pick off the leaves of the poisonous lily of the valley. Eating them will cause serious poisoning.
2. The red berries of the lily of the valley appear to be quite edible and may harm children. The lethal dose for a child is two to three berries. The fruits may be included in the edible berry harvest by accident. When heat treated, they do not lose their harmful properties, and homemade products made from them are poisonous to humans.
3. Homemade tinctures and water infusions for internal use can also be poisonous.

Symptoms of poisoning

May lily of the valley is highly toxic. When poisoned by a plant, the following symptoms occur:

• severe abdominal pain
• severe nausea and vomiting
• weakness and pallor of the skin
• headache
• arrhythmia, bradycardia, low blood pressure

When poisoning occurs, confusion and various hallucinations appear. The plant contains a large amount of cardiac glycosides, so death from cardiac arrest can occur.

Treatment of poisoning

At the first symptoms of intoxication, you should first call a doctor. Before his arrival, it is necessary to provide the victim with first aid. It consists of the following steps:

1. Rinse the stomach. Give the patient a large amount of boiled water or an aqueous solution of manganese to drink. Induce purifying vomiting.
2. Give activated carbon, Smecta or any other sorbent.
3. Do a mandatory cleansing enema. Before doing this, take a laxative.
4. Be sure to show the victim to a doctor.

Help must be provided in a timely manner, otherwise the consequences can be very sad.

Lily of the valley is a very poisonous plant, which at the same time has medicinal properties. You should take medications from it for the treatment and prevention of diseases very carefully, only as prescribed and under the supervision of a doctor. If you follow all the recommendations, the plant will only bring benefits.

Source: https://vsejagody.ru/yadovitye/landysh-majskij

Collection and preparation of lily of the valley

Collecting medicinal plants in urban areas is not recommended, because in these conditions, in addition to beneficial substances, they can also accumulate harmful ones. If you decide to stock up on this plant, then it is better to go somewhere far away from large cities and make preparations there.

For medical purposes, it is best to harvest lily of the valley raw materials during the flowering period - May - June. Again this will depend on which forest you collect your raw materials from. In darker forests, lilies of the valley will bloom a little later. When you prepare raw materials for drying, you need to cut them with scissors or a knife at a height of 3–5 cm from the ground. This is done, first of all, in order not to damage the rhizome, which is located in the soil. Lily of the valley, like any rhizomatous plant, spreads and reproduces primarily in this way. And a damaged rhizome can cause great harm to the plant. Therefore, you should neither pull it out nor pull it out.

The cut plant must be dried on the day of collection. It is necessary to dry the lily of the valley on the same day, because when it withers, many of the substances that make up it begin to gradually deteriorate and the strength of the drug will be much weaker. Lily of the valley is usually dried in dryers at a temperature of 40 – 50 °C. Previously, when there were no dryers, it was dried on special mesh trays that were hung over the ovens. At the same time, all windows and doors in the room were opened in order to create a draft and ventilate the room well. During drying, the raw materials are turned over once or twice.

The finished raw material should break easily in your hands. The time when this raw material can be used is approximately two years. If you harvest flowers separately, then this is only one year.

You also need to remember that the procurement of raw materials should be done in dry weather and after the dew has dried.

Lily of the valley is a very poisonous plant, so when drying, make sure that its particles do not get into any other herbs you are preparing. Because this can lead to very unpleasant consequences.

External description of a poisonous plant and its berries

The poisonous plant lily of the valley is widespread not only in Russia and European countries, but also in the Caucasus, in many Asian countries - wherever there are forests, shady and humid places. This is a perennial plant of the lily family. Its original appearance makes it impossible to confuse it with any other plant.

The aerial part of the lily of the valley has a height of 15-30 cm, consists of 2-3 oblong leaves with a longitudinal linear pattern, their color is rich green or dark green. There is no stem as such; leaf cuttings come directly from the root. A flower arrow also extends from it with an inflorescence at the end in the form of a brush, consisting of 6-20 flowers in the shape of flattened bells with a jagged edge.

Flowers exude essential oil with a special fresh scent

, which is one of the world's 20 iconic fragrances, is widely used in the perfume industry. In place of the flowers, round, especially poisonous, bright red or red-orange berries ripen with several oblong yellowish seeds. The lily of the valley root is shallow, more horizontal with many small branches.

The beautiful and unique lily of the valley can bring joy and benefit, but it can become a dangerous enemy if handled ineptly.

Once, in the 80s of the last century, looking through the issues of the journal “Science and Life”, I drew attention to the article by phenologist A. Strizhev “Insidious Berries” (1978, No. 8, pp. 159-160). It talked about the May lily of the valley. From it I read that: “Lily of the valley drops calm and strengthen the heart, and in this role the plant has long been featured in the pharmacopoeias of the world as a healing agent. But lily of the valley is also poisonous; its red berries, which are easy to find in the August forest, are especially poisonous.” Judging by A. Strizhev, “the lily of the valley both heals and cripples.” Marvelous!

I remembered that in some books I came across completely different information about lily of the valley berries. I had to look for a completely different view of the May lily of the valley and its fruits. I found the book by Candidate of Sciences S.I. Ivchenko “Interesting about botany”, published by the “Young Guard” in 1969. This book begins with the section “Gifts of Nature”, and in it the subsection “Flower of Inspiration” was put in first place.

What “flower of inspiration” was discussed in this book? It turned out that about the May lily of the valley, which in the north of Russia was given the name forest lily, on the Volga - voronets, in the Smolensk region - forest or dog tongue, in the Moscow region - hare cabbage, in the Don region - field bird cherry, in Ukraine - convaliya, in the Tambov region - juvenile or the culprit.

Legends, songs, and poems are written about the May lily of the valley. For example, composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote about him:

...O lily of the valley, why are you so pleasing to the eyes? Others have flowers that are more luxurious and lush, And their edges are brighter and their patterns are more cheerful, - But they do not have your mysterious charm.

The verse, an excerpt from which I cited, was set to music by composer A.S. Arensky.

Everyone knows, in my opinion, the song “Lilies of the Valley”, which was popular in the 70s and 80s of the last century, in which there were very good words about the “flower of inspiration”.

Latin name:
Convallaria majalis.
English name:
Lily of the valley.
Family:
Liliaceae - Liliaceae.
Common names:
eye grass, May lily, Mary's bells, snow droplets, lilies of the valley, rejuvenator, chemise, rejuvenator, culprit.
Pharmacy name:
lily of the valley herb - Convallariae herba, lily of the valley tincture - Convallariae tinctura.

Why did they compose poems and write songs about the May lily of the valley?
I am convinced that lily of the valley flowers - graceful marble balls-buds or bells - attract people with their unique aroma. Botanical researchers, in all likelihood, quite reasonably claim that the floral delights of the May lily of the valley were created by Nature not without “intention”: the plant specially prepared them for insects in order to make it easier for them to find flowers, at the very bottom of which a nectar delicacy is prepared for them. Insects, taking nectar from flowers, abundantly pollinate them with pollen from a generous neighboring flower. However, for a long time, the May lily of the valley has been calling insects and people not only in May. In place of marble bells, green peas first appeared in June, which in the Moscow region either at the end of August or in the first half of September turned into red berries.

S.I. Ivchenko wrote about them: “In the old days, red pea-shaped berries of the lily of the valley were even a rare delicacy, for which peasant children specially went into the forest in search of. True, in other places they are considered not entirely safe for consumption (that’s why they were dubbed wolf berries), but, of course, one cannot agree with this. Many experts give very flattering reviews about the medicinal benefits of lily of the valley berries, and in one of the old books I happened to read a curious message that in the Kaluga province lily of the valley berries have long been collected and, according to a local saying, used “for chohu, for gomozu* and for wife’s fate*.”

* Chokh
, -a, m. (old).
Sneeze, sneeze. Ch. attacked someone. Doesn't believe in sleep or choch. Explanatory Dictionary, ed. S.I. Ozhegova and N.Yu. Shvedova * Gomoz
m. lower.
Homozen Psk. homozun m. homozunya w. bonfire Vologda homosila vol. hard homozga vol. Vologda homoza, fidget. Play homos pl. play naughty, frolic. (Dal) Gomoz
, gamza, homoza - spinning top, fidget;
toss and turn - to toss and turn. (https://ectricon.narod.ru/) * Zhurba
- sadness, grief, grief. (Dahl)

Who is right? S.I. Ivchenko, who claims that the berries of the May lily of the valley are edible and healing, or the phenologist A. Strizhev, who claims that “the red berries” of the lily of the valley are “especially poisonous”? In order to find the answer to this question, I looked at the Popular Medical Encyclopedia (Moscow: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1963). It states: “The above-ground part of the plant, especially the flowers, contains substances (glycosides) that stimulate the activity of the heart and regulate the heart rate. Preparations of lily of the valley - lily of the valley drops, convasid, convallatoxin, etc. - are prescribed for cardiac decompensation, its neuroses and palpitations.

Lily of the valley tincture, lily of the valley drops - an alcohol tincture of the leaves and flowers of the lily of the valley. A transparent liquid of reddish-brown color with a weak, peculiar odor and bitter taste. It is prescribed, like other preparations of lily of the valley, for adults 15-20 drops, for children 1-12 drops 2-3 times a day, mainly for heart neuroses, often in combination with preparations of valerian and hawthorn.”

There is not a word in the Popular Medical Encyclopedia that some parts of the lily of the valley are poisonous.

To find an answer to the question of whether the May lily of the valley is a poisonous plant, I turned to the book by A.F. Gammerman, G.N. Kadaev and A.A. Yatsenko-Khmelevsky “Medicinal Plants (Healing Plants)” (M.: “Higher school", 1984.-400 pp., ill.). In it, the authors wrote about lily of the valley: “Lily of the valley preparations are used for acute and chronic heart failure. Lily of the valley tincture is prescribed mainly for heart neuroses, both alone and in combination with tinctures of valerian, belladonna, hawthorn... Lily of the valley flowers have long been used in Rus' against dropsy, heart disease, epilepsy, apoplexy, eye diseases (in the form of lotions), for stomach pain, fever (in wine tincture). In Western Europe, lily of the valley was used back in the Middle Ages.” There are also no warnings in this book that lily of the valley is a poisonous plant.

In one old book, I read that landowners, when welcoming guests, always put plates of lily of the valley berries on the table. I have not found any reports anywhere that anyone has ever been poisoned by lily of the valley berries. To make sure that the gifts of the May lily of the valley are harmless, one day before lunch on a Saturday in early September, I went to a not very ecologically clean forest located between the Old (Chkalovsky village) and New Star towns of the Moscow region, and collected a decent plastic bag of lily of the valley berries. Don't think that I decided to commit suicide. No. For some reason, I was convinced that the May lily of the valley was a plant that was either mistakenly or specifically included in the list of poisonous ones.

While picking lily of the valley berries, I was noticed by a married couple walking in the forest: a State Prize laureate, who worked at the same research institute as me, and his wife. The laureate asked: “Why are you picking these berries? Are they poisonous? I jokingly answered him: “I want to poison myself.”

Returning from the forest, without telling my wife anything, I ate a couple of handfuls of lily of the valley berries. I didn't feel bad from using them. On Sunday I ate another handful of red berries. And nothing happened to me. My mood has improved. The “flaming motor” in my chest worked without interruption.

On Monday afternoon, the Laureate accidentally met me at the Institute, took a closer look at me, and asked: “Are you still alive?” He answered him: “He’s alive. Apparently I haven’t eaten enough poisonous berries.” In fact, in two days I ate all the berries that I picked on Saturday. As a result, I became convinced that they were edible and that it was unlikely that anyone would ever “kick off their hooves” from them.

Then I collected more lily of the valley berries in the forest of the Vladimir region, filled a liter glass jar with them, poured alcohol over the berries and placed the jar in a dark place. I have not found any recommendations on how long an alcohol tincture of lily of the valley berries should be prepared. I let it sit for a month. I tried the prepared potion. I am convinced that it is an excellent medicine.

In general, I tested lily of the valley berries on myself. I didn’t shout to the whole world that they are edible and medicinal. All the same, I decided, no one would believe it. In all likelihood, in the 80s of the 20th century I was the only collector and consumer of lily of the valley berries in the USSR.

One day I had guests: a school friend, the secretary of the party committee of the Likhachev plant, and my wife’s brother. During the feast, I was called to duty.

I left the guests, went to the research institute, and returned two hours later. The guests sat in the apartment rather tipsy, although they couldn’t get drunk because of what I left on the table for them. I found out that they got to an alcoholic tincture made from lily of the valley berries, drank a two-hundred-gram glass, and their tongues “loosened.”

Well, you are brave souls,” I told them. — There are lily of the valley berries in the jar from which you drank alcohol, and, as you know, they are poisonous. I'm the only one drinking this tincture for now. And he's still alive. How will it affect you? I don't know.

Time has shown that the tincture of lily of the valley berries had a wonderful positive effect on my guests. After that, I began to advise some “heart patients” to use lily of the valley berries and tinctures made from them. Sometimes I am asked the question: “Did such and such a phenologist say that lily of the valley berries are poisonous?” I answer: “It seems to me that it was not the phenologist who made the lily of the valley berries poisonous, but the chrenologist, who does not distinguish between wolfberries and lily of the valley berries.”

However, not only phenologists, but also the compilers of various books lie about the fact that lily of the valley berries are not edible. So S.P. Matsyutsky in the book “To the Tourist about Plants” (Moscow: Profizdat, 1988) wrote about the May lily of the valley: “The whole plant is poisonous, but these attractive berries are especially dangerous. Lily of the valley contains a number of cardiac glycosides that cause poisoning... The fruits of the forest beauty, May lily of the valley, contain potent toxic substances.”

G.P. Stauber, the compiler of “Travnik” (Kostroma: State Unitary Publishing and Printing Enterprise “Kostroma”, 1999), wrote about the May lily of the valley: “The whole plant is poisonous. One of the first signs of poisoning is vomiting. In severe poisoning, tachycardia, visual disturbances, and convulsions are observed. Death from heart failure may occur."

The author-compiler of the book “New Encyclopedia of Plants: Myths, Healing Properties, Horoscopes, Plant Calendar” (M.: RIPOL CLASSIC, 2003.-736 pp.) wrote about the lily of the valley: “People also call the lily of the valley: shirt (in the shape of a flower), rejuvenator (but with medicinal properties), culprit (wine tincture)... In medicine, lily of the valley is used as a heart remedy, for palpitations, to relieve nervous tension, treats rheumatism, eye diseases, and mental disorders. Poisonous."

To be honest, I have the opinion that either someone doesn’t really want our people to be healthy, or the authors of books containing information about the toxicity of lily of the valley are absolutely incompetent people.

I did not set myself the goal of identifying who excluded May lily of the valley from the list of benign medicinal plants and included it in the list of poisonous ones. Experiencing the effects of red lily of the valley berries, I tried to prove to people that lily of the valley is an excellent medicinal plant.

I will be very grateful to people who will not pick “flowers of inspiration” in May, but will allow very useful medicinal red berries to form instead.

These berries will help many people (especially those with heart problems!) to extend their life on Earth. Vladimir ZAMOROKA, Moscow.

* * *

Dried flowers of lily of the valley are an integral part of Schneeberger snuff.

* * *

Caution:
Side effects.
When using medications from this plant prescribed by a doctor and in the correct dosage, there are no side effects. But the active ingredients of lily of the valley, contained in all parts of the plant, are poisonous. And yet it should be said that the toxicity of lily of the valley is greatly exaggerated. The tales that a child allegedly died after drinking water from a vase containing lilies of the valley are not confirmed. Serious poisoning by lily of the valley is hardly possible, even when eating the berries. However, caution should be exercised.

Horror story

Lily of the valley is a poisonous plant with healing properties. Taking any parts of the flower causes intoxication, and the consequences of poisoning can seriously harm your health.

Lily of the valley is a poisonous plant and the consequences of poisoning can be serious.

Preparation of lily of the valley infusion

And, again, due to the fact that the plant is poisonous, in this article we will not give a single recipe regarding the internal use of lily of the valley preparations. But we will write about external use.

In folk medicine, an aqueous infusion of lily of the valley shoots is traditionally used externally. It is used for diseases of the eyes and joints.

To prepare the infusion, you need to take one tablespoon of dried lily of the valley shoots and pour a glass of boiling water over them. Let it brew for several hours, then squeeze out and add water to the original volume. Gauze napkins are soaked in this infusion and applied to the sore joints. Let's hope that this recipe will help you and will not lead to any negative consequences.

Types and varieties

Researchers claim that this species is far from being of the same type (that is, consisting of one species, “Maysky”). They argue based on differences in the structure of flowers, which is associated both with the climate in which the flowers grow and with the place where they grow.

May lily of the valley

May lily of the valley

The most famous and widespread type of lily of the valley. It mainly grows on the edges of forests of all types. It has a horizontal arrangement of the root system; thin roots predominate in large quantities. They are located practically without deepening into the ground.

During wintering, only the rhizomes themselves remain in the ground. A pair of leaves that originate from the root end with a sharp end. The height of such a plant reaches 30 cm. The buds themselves are located on a kind of “footstand”, with teeth along the top and bottom. The color of the buds is delicate white, they have a unique, alluring aroma. The berries are rather red-red in color, size 5-9 mm. They bloom in May and bear fruit in the fall.

Despite its cute appearance and wonderful smell, it is a poisonous plant: it contains the plant poison convallatoxin. Even in the form of medications, in case of overdose, it causes poisoning. Those plants that were not grown in the wild have many varieties.

Here are some of them:

• Albostriata. This variety differs in color. This is expressed in beige stripes on the leaves;
• Aurea. The leaves are bright yellow;
• Aureovariegata. Along the leaves of this variety there are stripes of yellow or sand color;
• Flora Plena. The height of this variety is about 25 - 30 cm, and the buds themselves are much larger - 12 pieces on average, compared to ordinary ones - they are much larger;
• Grandiflora. Differs in much larger buds and larger leaves;
• Green Tapestry. It is distinguished by very bright yellow-light green leaves;
• Hofheim. The edges of the leaves of this variety are pale brown;
• Prolificans. There are many more buds than on wild lily of the valley. Flowering lasts about two months, the size of the plant is small;
• Rosea. It is a pink lily of the valley. There are also more buds, about 12-14 pieces.

Mountain

Mountain lily of the valley

This type of lily of the valley grows primarily in the mountainous regions of North America. It has a developed root component, and the stem itself is much shorter. The leaves emanating from the root reach a length of 40 cm, and the width is about 4 cm. The number of buds themselves varies, the range is from 5 to 16 pieces, no more than 9 mm long. Also, in autumn, red berries grow, about 8 mm in size.

Lily of the valley Keizke

Lily of the valley Keizke

This lily of the valley grows in forests where moss is found in abundance. It can also often be found at forest cutting sites, in fields near rivers. The main aura is Siberia and the Far East. It can also be found on Sakhalin, near the Amur River (both from Russia and from China). The rhizome is much longer than others.

Ways to use lily of the valley

The ways to use lily of the valley in May are very diverse and it is simply impossible to list them all. For example, in Asian countries they use the rhizome of lily of the valley, but the lily of the valley itself practically does not grow there. Therefore, it is harvested in our country and in some other European countries, dried and sent to Asia. Thus, the lily of the valley rhizome is an export item. In some countries, lily of the valley flowers are collected and dried separately, crushed into fine powder and sniffed for a runny nose. And in Germany, a tincture of lily of the valley shoots in wine is prepared and used for paralysis.

Why don't lilies of the valley bloom?

One of the main reasons for this problem is both the lack of normal sunlight and its excess. These flowers should grow in relative shade, so when planting them it is important to take into account how much time they will spend both in the light and in the shade.

For normal growth, a moist environment is also necessary, so they should be watered frequently. On dry soil, especially mountainous or rocky soil, the plant will take root poorly and may even wither away. This culture is good with transplants, but you shouldn’t abuse it either.

Since the lily of the valley covers every piece of land, over time the planting area will increase and you will get a very beautiful flower bed.

Lily of the valley is poisonous!!!

It is necessary to remind once again that the entire lily of the valley plant is poisonous. Be especially careful if you walk with your children in the forest, especially in the second half of summer. Because for a small child, two or three lily of the valley berries can be a lethal dose.

Poisoning can be identified by the following symptoms: severe nausea, headaches, abdominal cramps, darkening of the eyes. All of these signs may be signs of lily of the valley poisoning. The plant is so toxic that even drinking the water in which a bouquet of lilies of the valley stood can be fatal.

How to use

The article answers the question of whether lilies of the valley are poisonous or not. Another thing is how to apply them correctly. In finished form, they are sold in medicinal preparations and medicines, but there is an alternative way to use them. If lily of the valley grows at home, you can collect the bells during flowering and make a tincture from them.

• Take a glass jar, fill it ¾ full with flowers, fill it with 90% alcohol to the top. Close with a tight lid and leave to brew for two weeks. After this, strain the mixture, leaving only the liquid without the flowers. Take five drops three times a day for cramps, fever or heart pain.
• If you are concerned about glaucoma, try making your own infusion. Take a teaspoon of lily of the valley flowers, mix the bells with a tablespoon of crushed nettle leaves (they must be fresh). Add twenty grams of clean water to the mixture and leave to infuse for ten hours. Next, add another five grams of water. It is recommended to moisten cotton pads in the resulting infusion and apply to the eyes.

Lily of the valley tinctures have a beneficial effect on the blood. They clean it and improve its properties. In small doses, they have a hypotensive effect, reduce pulse and increase the force of strokes, relieve headaches and irritability.

Use of lily of the valley in gardening

It must be said that in our time in everyday life, lily of the valley is no longer so much a medicinal plant as an ornamental plant. More and more often they are planted in gardens and vegetable gardens. Many cultivated varieties of lilies of the valley have already been invented. Among them there are plants with enlarged flowers, and with double flowers, and even with a pinkish color of the corolla. But the most interesting thing is the varieties with variegated leaves.

Lily of the valley is a shade-loving plant, so it is better to plant it in shaded areas of the garden. You can even plant lily of the valley under the canopy of shrubs that leaf out their leaves late. It is better to prepare the soil for lilies of the valley in advance. In principle, they tolerate both sandy and clay soil, but with a large amount of humus. Therefore, in the place where you are going to plant lilies of the valley, a year before planting, pour out a wheelbarrow of last year’s foliage and by the time you transfer the rhizome there, the soil will be completely ready. It is best to replant the plant in autumn or early spring before the leaves fully bloom. To replant, take relatively long sections of rhizomes with buds and transfer them to prepared soil. Deepen it by 3 - 4 cm and leave it. After 2 - 3 years, you will have wonderful silvery flowers in this place.

Places of growth

Where do lilies of the valley grow? Yes, wherever there are or most recently were broad-leaved, coniferous or mixed forests. Most lily of the valley glades can be found in mixed or deciduous forests.

The fact is that these plants love moderately moist soil rich in organic matter. In addition, they need good lighting, but with periodic shading.

All these conditions are best combined on forest edges and clearings. If lily of the valley glades are found in a meadow where there seems to be no forest, this means that just a few years ago there were trees, shade and annually fallen leaves that formed the forest floor in which the lily of the valley rhizome grows well.

If bouquets of lilies of the valley are constantly collected in this place, cows graze and agricultural fires are held annually, then there will soon be no lilies of the valley here. They will be replaced by cereals and sedges. This is how these plants ended up in the Red Book.

Lily of the valley in the USSR

The aroma of lily of the valley is very strong and very pleasant. And, probably, many remember that in Soviet times, cologne and eau de toilette with the aroma of lily of the valley, which was called “silver lily of the valley,” was popular. But in both eau de toilette and cologne, it was not the natural scent of lily of the valley that was used, but its chemical essence. The thing is that it is much easier and cheaper to obtain, and it turns out to be more durable than a natural scent. And the natural aroma of these flowers is used only in expensive perfumes - in perfumes.

Useful properties and composition

Despite the fact that lilies of the valley are poisonous, they are used in the treatment of many diseases.

• The plant contains about twenty glycosides, including steroids, convallatoxin, convalloside and many others. The composition contains flavonoids, polysaccharides, coumarins and other substances.
• Essential oil is extracted from lily of the valley, which has a rich, subtle aroma. This aroma calms, relieves irritability, and fights insomnia.
• Glycosides contained in the plant are used to produce heart medications. Substances found in lily of the valley strengthen the heart muscle, restore lipid and energy metabolism in case of impaired blood circulation.

Tinctures and medications made from this plant are used to reduce or relieve swelling, functional disorders of the central nervous system, and various eye diseases. You should use products that contain this flower only after consulting your doctor. Remember that lilies of the valley are poisonous and can do great harm instead of good.

Many people are interested in whether lilies of the valley are poisonous. The plant contains a high concentration of active substances in its composition, so it is poisonous. It is impossible to use drugs and medicinal preparations unless necessary. It is dangerous for health and life to use them uncontrollably for people who suffer from myocarditis, endocarditis, diseases of the cardiovascular system, and blood flow disorders. The flowers and berries of the plant should not be eaten. This leads to severe poisoning, vomiting, ringing in the ears, increased heart rate and other unpleasant consequences.

Forcing lilies of the valley

The process of growing plants to produce flowers is called forcing. Special greenhouses are built for forcing. To force lilies of the valley, the height of the greenhouses should not exceed 40 cm. In the fall, rhizomes with powerful round buds are taken and planted in special pots filled with peat. The outside and top of the pots are covered with moss. Most often this is sphagnum moss. The pots are placed in a greenhouse and the temperature is maintained around 35 °C. Under these conditions and constant watering, after about 3 to 5 weeks, lilies of the valley begin to bloom. This way you can get flowers literally for the New Year. In Germany in the 17th century, this was done on an industrial scale and lilies of the valley were supplied to the imperial palace for the New Year from there.

There is another plant called “garden lily of the valley.” Although, apart from the name, this plant has nothing in common with lily of the valley. Unless it belongs to the same family to which the lily of the valley previously belonged, that is, to the lily family. This plant is called Kupena lesennaya.

Lily of the valley is a wonderful plant in all respects. But it is better to use it as an ornamental plant and remember that its poisonous properties are very strong. A lily of the valley on your site will delight you for many years, and perhaps even your children and grandchildren. Whereas, medicinal preparations based on lily of the valley should be used with extreme caution and better after consultation with a doctor.

Peculiarities

Why are lilies of the valley poisonous? Their leaves, flowers and fruits contain special substances that are too active for the human body. In large doses they are incredibly dangerous. On the other hand, medicines based on lily of the valley help with epilepsy, heart failure, fluid retention in the body, are effective against glaucoma, hypertension, problems with the endocrine system, pain in the abdomen, head, and nervousness. It is best to use lily of the valley not in its pure form, as traditional medicine suggests, but in a processed form.

For frequent heart pain, use a folk recipe, but only after consulting a doctor. Separate the bells from the lily of the valley stem, place them in even layers in a glass bowl, sprinkle with sugar or pour honey. The composition can be stored in the refrigerator for a long time. During an attack of pain, take a few flowers, they will relieve discomfort. Remember that folk remedies should be used only after consultation with your doctor.

What is the danger of lily of the valley for animals?

Lily of the valley fruits and flowers are toxic to domestic cats and dogs and cause serious poisoning in them. However, some wild animals and birds tolerate the plant's poison well. Many canine animals are insensitive to the toxins present in lily of the valley. However, most birds and animals die when consuming the berries of the plant.

In pets, the fruits of the plant cause cardiac dysfunction, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. If these symptoms occur, it is recommended that you take your animal to a veterinarian as quickly as possible.

Care

Lily of the valley is an unpretentious plant that does not require any special care or constant monitoring.

Also, after fertilizing or watering, you need to weed the weeds around the lily of the valley. Humidity should always be increased. The soil should have a rich content of organic fertilizers and acidity should be minimal. Before planting this crop, the area where the crop will be planted must be cultivated to a depth of 40 cm. Before planting, you need to fertilize the soil with special fertilizers.

After sowing, about a month later, you need to re-fertilize the soil with organic matter, but not with mineral fertilizers. A year later, the land is fertilized again with organic matter (with nitrogen) in the spring. In the first month of summer, fertilize again with organic matter. Only in the third year will lilies of the valley begin to bloom. Unfortunately, this cannot be accelerated.

Lilies of the valley grow very quickly, occupying the largest flowering area. To avoid this, it is necessary to dig a barrier, for example, made of steel, into the ground. The depth must be at least a meter. In such a fenced area, lilies of the valley will grow for about 10 years. When cutting, you must remember that this plant will take nutrients from the water from other flowers, which will lead to rapid withering.

Symptoms of plant poisoning

Signs of lily of the valley poisoning appear after some time. Clinical manifestations depend on the severity of intoxication.

Signs:

• sudden and intense vomiting, attacks of nausea;
• the skin becomes pale;
• painful sensations appear in the abdomen;
• the heart begins to contract less frequently;
• the rhythm of the heart muscle is disrupted;
• constant desire to sleep, muscle weakness;
• lowering blood pressure;
• confusion, hallucinations;
• cardiac arrest in severe forms of poisoning.

The described symptoms are characteristic of acute poisoning. With long-term use of lily of the valley preparations, a person develops a chronic form of intoxication. It is characterized by the presence of less severe symptoms.

What happens:

1. A sharp decrease in body weight.
2. Neuralgic disorders.
3. Impaired consciousness.
4. Insufficiency of the heart muscle.
5. Failures in visual functions, a person sees everything in yellow.

The appearance of such symptoms requires prompt contact to a medical facility. This will help avoid negative consequences and death.

Contraindications and side effects

If you are not confident in your knowledge, then it is better not to undertake the collection of natural raw materials from lilies of the valley. Otherwise, your medicine may become poison.

It is necessary to use preparations from lily of the valley extremely carefully, observing all dosages of doctors.

An overdose of lily of the valley preparations causes many unpleasant consequences. These include:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• heart rhythm disturbances (mainly bradycardia);
• dizziness;
• convulsions;
• extrasystole;
• noise in ears;
• arrhythmia;
• stomach ache;
• dilated pupils;
• irresistible drowsiness and weakness;
• heart failure.

When the first signs of an overdose appear, you need to urgently rinse your stomach, drink adsorbents, and do an enema. However, all this is done before the doctor arrives. Do not hope that everything will work out, be sure to seek medical help. Otherwise, treatment with lily of the valley may cost you too much.

The drugs are completely contraindicated for liver and kidney diseases, especially in the acute stage: during exacerbation of myocarditis, any diseases of the digestive system, endocarditis, cardio- and arteriosclerosis.

The popularity of lily of the valley is extremely high. It is grown as an ornamental plant in flower beds along with ephemeroids, ephemera and low-growing perennials. However, its popularity has the most destructive effect on those plants that live in nature. In May and early June, the real hunt for live goods traders begins for cute flowers. Lily of the valley meadows are cleared out so that seed regeneration becomes impossible, and this beautiful and so useful species gradually retreats to the most inaccessible places for humans.

The end of May and the beginning of June is the time for the May lily of the valley to bloom. This plant attracts not only with its appearance and alluring aroma, but also with its healing properties. The flower is used to prepare medicines. At the same time, few people think about whether lily of the valley is poisonous or not. But improper preparation and use of preparations based on it and even inhalation of the aroma of flowers can lead to serious poisoning.

Help with lily of the valley intoxication

Lily of the valley poisoning is life-threatening, so it is necessary to provide assistance to the victim as quickly as possible. First of all, when suspicious symptoms appear, a team of doctors is called. Before their arrival, actions are taken to cleanse the body of toxins.

What to do:

• Perform gastric lavage. For this purpose, a weak solution of manganese or salt is used. The poisoned person drinks the liquid, then provokes. Washing is carried out until the effluent water is completely purified.
• They give a poisoned person, they will help quickly cleanse the body of toxins.
• It is allowed to use laxatives and cleansing enemas.
• Give plenty of water to drink.

In a medical institution, after examinations, suitable treatment is selected. Prescribe the necessary medications and medicinal solutions. Treatment is carried out until vital functions are completely restored.

How to help a victim of poisoning

Lily of the valley poisoning threatens human life. Therefore, when you notice the first symptoms, you must call an ambulance. To ensure that the poison does not have time to have a strong effect, it is necessary to provide assistance to the victim before the arrival of doctors. It will be as follows:

1. Perform gastric lavage. For this, a weak solution of potassium permanganate or salt is used. The victim should drink a liter of the prepared composition. After this, you should press on the root and thereby provoke vomiting. This procedure is repeated three times.
2. Give the victim sorbent. This could be enterosgel, smecta, polysorb and other modern drugs. If they are not available, you can get by with simple activated carbon.
3. Cleanse your intestines. To do this, you can give the victim a spoonful of vegetable oil or give a cleansing enema.

After delivering the patient to the clinic, doctors begin active therapy. For this purpose, atrioventricular block is used. Specialized medications are used. To restore the water-salt balance in the body, saline solutions are prescribed.

Such poisoning poses a particular danger to children and the elderly. The situation is aggravated if the victim has kidney disease. In this case, a favorable outcome is possible only with timely, competent medical care.

There is no doubt whether lily of the valley berries are poisonous or not. If your child eats it, consult a doctor immediately.

Lily of the valley is an attractive and useful plant

But if it is used incorrectly or handled carelessly, the health consequences can be disastrous. Therefore, always remember the characteristics of this flower and do not violate the recommended dosage of drugs based on it.

Victor N.
May lily of the valley is a poisonous plant or not?
Lily of the valley is a poisonous and at the same time medicinal plant. Included in the Red Book due to its rarity in nature, but very common in garden plots. All its components are poisonous: roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits. Due to the high content of toxic substances, the plant is dangerous for people, as well as animals and birds.

May lily of the valley. Description

Grows in coniferous forests, along rivers. Prefers dark and humid places. It is rarely found in nature today. However, the flower is often grown by amateur gardeners in their garden plots.

The plant is perennial. Its height reaches 25-30 cm. It blooms in May. The inflorescences include up to 15-20 white bells with a strong spicy aroma. The leaves are dark green, oval shaped. In June-July, small brick-red berries appear.

Lily of the valley is used in folk medicine

Lily of the valley is a poisonous plant

Absolutely all parts are poisonous. The plant contains highly toxic components that affect primarily the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It is extremely dangerous for people, especially children, and also poses a danger to birds and most animals (with the exception of elk, deer, and fox).

Touching the leaves and stems may cause redness and itching. If any part of a flower, fresh or dried, enters the body, severe poisoning can occur, depending on the dose and the human immune system. The first symptoms are nausea and vomiting. In case of severe poisoning, the following are possible: disturbances in cardiovascular rhythm, disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, headache, decreased vision, hallucinations and even coma and death.

Attention! In case of poisoning, the first thing to do is call an ambulance. And before the doctors arrive, rinse the victim’s stomach with plenty of water.

Lily of the valley is a medicinal plant

Despite all the “terrible” properties of lily of the valley described above, this plant is also medicinal. Or rather, it is the toxic substances contained in it that are used in medicine.

In medicine, it is used to make medicines to treat the following types of diseases:

• disorders of the nervous system;
• cardiovascular;
• a number of intestinal diseases.

Lily of the valley is a charming flower; the mention of it often evokes romantic moods. However, he is not as gentle and simple as he seems

Great care should be taken when growing and using this flower.

Consequences and measures of poisoning

Poisoning with lily of the valley toxins is dangerous for any person. But children, the elderly and patients with kidney problems are particularly affected. The possibility of developing negative consequences in the form of disruption of the functioning of internal organs cannot be ruled out. The most severe consequence is death.

Following safety precautions will help you avoid poisoning. Adults should explain to children that lily of the valley and its berries are dangerous. If kids also go into the forest, then their every step needs to be monitored.

Is lily of the valley poisonous? It is not recommended to use the flower for self-treatment. However, if you still have the desire, then you must carefully follow the entire prescription and not exceed the permissible dosage for treatment.

Lily of the valley is poisonous to people and animals. Despite the beauty of the flower, there is a real danger. The plant can cause rapid death or disability.

Where do they grow?

Despite the beauty and tenderness of the flowers, the sophistication of the light green leaves, lilies of the valley are poisonous to humans. These plants grow in temperate climates. They can often be found in coniferous and deciduous forests, in clearings illuminated by sunlight. Lilies of the valley also tolerate shade well. They reproduce quickly, thanks to strong rhizomes and branched roots. They grow in Siberia, the Far East, Crimea, and the Caucasus. They are also found in other regions of the country. Flowers are protected and listed in the Red Book.

Symptoms of poisoning

ATTENTION! Even with mild poisoning, victims should receive specialized medical care.

Lily of the valley poisoning can happen even if you drink water from the vase in which the bouquet stood.

Symptoms:

• nausea, uncontrollable vomiting;
• stomach pain, weakness;
• pale skin;
• bradycardia, arrhythmia, increased blood pressure;
• disturbance of consciousness, hallucinations;
• heart failure.

About providing assistance and treatment to victims of lily of the valley

Without knowing why lily of the valley is poisonous or how to use it correctly, you can cause significant damage to your body. The first thing you should do after calling an ambulance is to use adsorbents. Usually, home medicine cabinets contain the most accessible of them - activated carbon. One tablet of the product is designed for every 10 kilograms of the victim’s weight. For best results, the tablets should be crushed and washed down with plenty of plain water.

Poisonous lily of the valley is neutralized with saline laxatives, including magnesium sulfate. It helps to quickly cleanse the intestines of poisons and improve overall well-being.

Doctors emphasize: even with mild symptoms of intoxication, it is imperative to seek qualified help!

You cannot hope that everything will go away on its own, without consequences, especially if the victims are elderly people and preschoolers.

In toxicology or intensive care departments, the health of victims is restored with the help of:

• Atropine,
• Isoprenaline,
• Saline solutions,
• Lidocaine,
• Phenytoin.

As for detoxification methods, these are hemodialysis and hemosorption.

Diseases and pests

The main disease of lily of the valley is considered to be a parasite known as “Grey rot”. It covers both the leaves and the flowers themselves. If plants are located close to each other, in poorly ventilated rooms or greenhouses, then you can catch a fungus. To avoid this, you need to carefully plant flowers, avoiding those that are already affected by the disease.

Gleosporiasis is a dangerous disease for plants. It looks like beige spots with a brown border on the leaves. The main way to avoid damage to other plants is to cut off the problem leaf. Another option for prevention is spraying with fungicides.

Timely and high-quality care for any flowers, including lilies of the valley, is very important. Care means both watering and fertilizing plants, cleaning the soil from weeds and maintaining a distance from nearby plants. If all this is left to chance, then the risk of diseases getting onto the plant will be much higher. Nutritional deficiencies can be easily noticed by the characteristic yellow color of the stem and leaves.

What poison does lily of the valley contain?

To the question is lily of the valley poisonous, you can safely answer yes. All parts of the plant are poisonous. The highest concentration of toxins is in berries. Lily of the valley contains a poison - a cardiac glycoside (convallatoxin), an increased dose of which leads to death due to disruptions in the functioning of the heart. The poison is also dangerous for domestic animals, especially cats.

Planting and propagation

Lily of the valley is a very unpretentious flower, so no special knowledge or skills are required for planting. The location in which to plant them should be balanced in terms of shade and sunlight. Reproduction occurs both with the help of fruits (berries) and with the help of underground rhizomes. Reproduction is quite fast.

The soil is pre-plowed, adding fertilizers and creating humus. For planting, rhizomes with buds are needed, but leaves in bunches (buds) are also suitable. This must be done in such a way as to prevent excesses. If there are sprouts, they should protrude, and no more than 2 cm should be covered. This crop is planted in rows, keeping a distance of 9 - 12 cm. But, by the way, sowing in the spring is also allowed.

Forcing lilies of the valley

If we talk about garden varieties that are used for forcing, then they are planted and cultivated in such a way that they bloom in the off-season. But field lilies of the valley do not like any experiments.

To plant garden lilies of the valley, the soil and the material itself are prepared in the fall. Cuttings are prepared, the length of which should not exceed 4-5 cm, and stems with a clearly visible ellipsoidal bud are cut from the rhizomes. After this, the cuttings should be placed in a warm room, in a box, and they should be positioned strictly vertically and with sand.

Winter forcing should take place with the treatment of plants with wet crops, such as moss. After this, the blanks are placed in a room with a temperature of -1 degree for 21 days. Then, on day 22, the sprouts are placed in warm water, the temperature of which should not exceed 35 degrees.

If we talk about wild lilies of the valley (field), then forcing is a little different. They should be placed in boxes, but with soil rich in organic matter. The layer should be 4 – 6 cm. Moreover, the vertical arrangement is not important. The buds should stick out half a centimeter from the ground. After this, warm water is poured into the box in large quantities and moss is added.

Next, all this is placed in a dark and warm (30 degrees) room. The soil should be about 20 degrees. The seedlings should be watered several times a day with water (28 - 32 degrees), after which they should be ventilated. The temperature should always be around 30 degrees, so watering should be regular. When the lower bud receives color, the water temperature is lowered to 15 - 17 degrees.

Transfer

Frequent transplants are undesirable, because lily of the valley does not tolerate it well - the roots are damaged. But if a transplant is still needed, then it must be done in early autumn. The soil should be ready at this moment, also having fertilizer. Flowers are also planted in rows, but the distance should be at least 20 cm. The main thing is to replant the first few flowers - then everything will go much easier and faster.

Landing

Planting is done either in early autumn or early spring. The distance between each plant should be approximately 9–11 cm; it is not advisable to bend the roots. The sprinkling of soil on the sprouts should be small: from 1 to 2 cm. After this is completed, the planting site should be watered. When the first cold weather sets in, the area with lilies of the valley is covered with ground peat or humus. If the flowers were planted in the spring, they will not bloom this year.

Reproduction

Reproduction occurs both through rhizomes and seeds. Much more often, of course, the rhizome is involved. If flowers were planted using rhizomes, then flowering should be expected in the third year, but if the seeds were used, then after 6–7 years.

To apply the first method, rhizomes are taken that have buds and roots. The sprouts that have buds, as well as the diameter of the sprouts themselves, depend directly on the age of the root system.

You can divide the roots in autumn and spring if you do not want to kill the plant. Planting such a crop is far from a quick process, as is caring for them.

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