For many, the delicate and fragrant lily of the valley flower is associated with spring, purity, warmth and tenderness. He is very fragile and extremely attractive. But not everyone knows that lily of the valley is a therapeutic agent officially recognized by traditional medicine. Its beneficial properties have been used in the treatment of heart diseases, and not only. We will talk about the benefits and dangers of this fragrant plant, its use and contraindications in this article.
Description of the plant
May lily of the valley is a monotypic herbaceous flowering plant. True, within this genus, three independent species are sometimes distinguished - Keiske, mountain and Transcaucasian. Lily of the valley has dark green large oval leaves. Their length is more than 10 cm, and the width does not exceed 5 cm. The leaves of the plant come from a creeping and thin rhizome, the color of which can be from light brown to light gray.
Lily of the valley flowers are collected in a one-sided neat brush. After ripening, globular, shiny red berries grow from the flowers. Their diameter is about 8 mm.
Lily of the valley properties
They are quite diverse. Of particular note are the following:
- choleretic;
- antispasmodic;
- anti-febrile;
- diuretic;
- soothing;
- cardiotonic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- vasodilator.
Useful properties of tincture
Today, lily of the valley tincture is sold in pharmacies without a prescription. Its use without consulting the attending physician is unacceptable.
Lily of the valley petals contain glucose, saponin, flavonoids and organic acids. The flowers of the plant are rich in essential oils. All these substances normalize and increase the tone of the cardiac system, have a sedative and calming effect on the nervous system.
Sugar strengthens blood vessels, the walls of the heart muscle, and improves immunity. Starch is an easily digestible carbohydrate, which, when converted into glucose, helps the human body produce the energy necessary for the operation of all systems and organs.
Coumarins reduce blood clotting, increase urine excretion, prevent the formation of blood clots. Alkaloids calm the nervous system, reduce pain, lower blood pressure.
Medicinal Forms
Lily of the valley flowers are used to make remedies for paralysis, headache, nervous diseases.
Dried and powdered lily of the valley flowers are used as a snuff for migraine and runny nose.
The inflorescence of the plant is included in the Zdrenko collection, which is rightfully considered a very effective antitumor agent in herbal medicine.
Infusion of flowers is used as an anti-inflammatory, which is taken orally, lotions are also made from it.
The leaves of the lily of the valley are used as a sedative for oral administration and wound healing preparations for external use.
Tincture in folk medicine
Folk healers have studied the beneficial properties of this plant since ancient times. Most often they use tincture of lily of the valley. They recommend its use in diseases of the genitourinary organs, the cardiac system, the gastrointestinal tract, with dropsy of cardiac origin, paralysis and paroxysmal tachycardia.
According to folk healers, alcohol tincture is especially effective, which should be diluted with water according to the instructions in a ratio of 1:10. Often, lily of the valley infusions are prepared using valerian, motherwort, hawthorn and lemon balm. The combination of the beneficial properties of these medicinal plants effectively affects human he alth in the treatment of thyroid diseases, hypertension, atherosclerosis, insomnia and nervous disorders.
How to make lily of the valley tincture
This is a unique medicinal plant. Lily of the valley, the tincture of which is a potent remedy, does not tolerate amateur performance. This is especially true for patients who like to prescribe their own treatment. Lily of the valley is poisonous, so self-medication can be harmful to your he alth. Consult with your doctor! In addition, lily of the valley tincture should be used very carefully. Instructions for use of this tool states thatthe daily intake should not exceed 90 drops.
Water tincture
Today it is widely used in traditional and folk medicine, cosmetology lily of the valley. Tincture from this wonderful plant is sold in pharmacies. But many people prefer to cook it at home, on their own. For this, you will need 1 teaspoon of dried flowers. They are poured with one glass of boiling water, insisted for about an hour. Drink 3 times a day, one tablespoon.
Lily of the valley alcohol tincture
At home, it is easy to prepare an alcohol tincture. Prepare a glass jar with a capacity of 0.5 liters. 1/3 fill it with lily of the valley flowers (fresh). Fill the jar to the top with seventy-degree alcohol. Close it tightly and put it in a dark place for 15 days. Shake the jar periodically. Remember that you can take such a composition no more than 15 drops three times a day. The tincture is diluted in 1/3 cup of cool water.
Tincture for glaucoma
For this composition you will need one teaspoon (heap) of lily of the valley flowers and half a glass of fresh nettle leaves. Herbs are crushed, after which they should be poured with 20 ml of hot water. In this form, the remedy is infused for 10 hours. Then another 10 ml of water is added to it. The resulting slurry is applied to sore eyes.
Tincture for cramps
Lily of the valley pharmacy tincture, instructions for use to which are attached, should be used strictly in accordance with the indicated dosage. The same applies to preparations that are prepared at home. Should be strictlyobserve all proportions in the manufacture of a therapeutic agent so as not to harm he alth.
You will need a glass container (preferably with a narrow neck). Fill it 2/3 with lily of the valley flowers. Then fill it to the top with 70-degree alcohol. Close the bottle tightly and store in a dark place for 15 days. After that, the lily of the valley tincture (the instruction recommends this) is filtered. You will no longer need the pressed raw material.
Take this tincture should be 15 drops three times a day. As traditional healers assure, this remedy is effective not only for convulsions, but also for heart weakness.
Tincture for insomnia
It's no secret that today many people suffer from insomnia. The reason for this is the environmental situation, problems at work or in the family. In this case, lily of the valley can also help. The tincture is very easy to prepare. Take dried lily of the valley flowers (1 tbsp), pour 250 ml of boiling water over them and leave to infuse in a thermos for at least 10 hours. Strained infusion is taken four times a day before meals, two tablespoons each.
Diuretic decoction
You will need 15 g of dried flowers, which should be poured into 200 ml of hot boiled water (but not boiling water) and put in a water bath for 30 minutes. Then the broth should be cooled and filtered. It is recommended to take it twice a day, 2 teaspoons.
Contraindications
Everyone who thinks that lily of the valley (including tincture from it) is justharmless weed, are greatly mistaken. This drug has quite a few contraindications. Check out the main ones:
- it is strictly forbidden to take tincture of lily of the valley with infectious acute myocarditis;
- should not be taken by patients with thyrotoxicosis or hypoglycemia;
- lily of the valley preparations are not prescribed for people with severe atherosclerosis;
- inhibiting factor in taking lily of the valley drugs is infective endocarditis, changes in the heart muscle (especially of an organic nature);
- The use of lily of the valley preparations for catarrh of the gastrointestinal tract, some diseases of the liver and kidneys is not recommended;
- special care should be taken when using lily of the valley tincture for allergy sufferers.
