Lily of the valley - general description
Lily of the valley May (Convallaria majalis L.) - a species of herbaceous perennial plants of the Lily family. It has a branched creeping rhizome, in the nodes there are roots resembling a goose feather. The leaves are grassroots, basal, long-leaved, covered in the ground, extending from the rhizome in the lateral branches. The leaf is a thin whole-leaf plate of bright green color.
The flower is mounted on a smooth arrow, trihedral in the upper part, 15-20 cm long. Snow-white perianths have six slightly bent denticles, a pistil and six stamens. The pleasant strong aroma of the plant causes the huge popularity of flowers, despite the fact that the plant is poisonous. The flowering period is the end of May - the beginning of June. The fruit in the form of a juicy spherical berry ripens in late summer.
Lily of the valley - types and places of growth
The number of plants has been steadily declining in recent years, near the settlements, when picking flowers, the base of the flowers is trampled, so the plant is listed in the Red Books. Lily of the valley is common in temperate zones of the northern hemispheres. Its habitat is the Crimea, the Caucasus, the Eastern part of Siberia, the European part of Russia and the Far East. Prefers a shaded location - forests, ravines.
Among other plant names in different regions there are: Culprit, Voronets, May lily, Molotov, Eye grass, Gladysh, Mary's bells, Lapushnik, Glandysh, Hare ears, Molodilnik, Polish lily, Serebryannik, Mytnaya grass, Pasque flower, Snow droplets, Shirt. In the Caucasus, Lily of the valley Transcaucasia grows, which is characterized by frost resistance.
Lily of the valley - healing properties
Since ancient times, human rumor has attributed to this original fragrant flower many healing properties and beliefs, which is reflected in numerous tales and folk traditions. It is believed that lily of the valley helps from all ailments. Professor S.P. Botkin conducted research and determined that the flower has the properties of helping with cardiac neurosis and heart failure, while it is used in combination with other drugs, such as valerian and hawthorn. It is also used in the treatment of endocarditis, arrhythmias, during pregnancy, to enhance memory and the development of intellectual abilities.
Lily of the valley - dosage forms
Medicines are prepared from flowers, leaves, herbs. Raw materials are harvested at the beginning of flowering, in May. Official medicine uses lily of the valley in Zelenin drops, which consist of several components, and are used to treat heart neurosis. Harvesting the plant should be carried out very carefully, as it has a toxic effect. Grass, leaves and flowers are cut at a height of 5 cm from the ground, quickly dried in dryers, spread out in a thin layer on paper. The dry mix can be stored for 2 years.
Lily of the valley - recipes
- To improve the work of the heart, use an infusion of lily of the valley flowers. In 20 ml of boiling water, brew 4 grams of lilies of the valley. Such a drug is able to slow down the pulse, reduce swelling. Drink every 2 hours.
- As a diuretic and blood cleanser, tea is used from tea of the leaves of lily of the valley, prepared in the usual way.
Lily of the valley - contraindications
Lily of the valley preparations contain saponins, therefore they are contraindicated in untreated form with gastritis and exacerbation of liver and kidney diseases. Lily of the valley is considered a poisonous plant, it must be used carefully, paying special attention to possible individual intolerance.
Lily of the valley - myths and legends
Since ancient times, the lily of the valley has enjoyed the invariable love of different nationalities. Probably, no plant can compare with lily of the valley in the number of legends and traditions. For example, one legend tells us about the battle with the terrible dragon. Then Saint Leonard shed the droplets of blood from which this flower grew.
Another legend tells us the story of the Mother of God, shedding tears over her crucified son, from whom a beautiful lily of the valley grew. The Greeks believed that the kind of lily of the valley began from droplets of sweat of the goddess Artemis, fleeing the fauns.
An old Russian legend tells us about how the sea princess Volkhova shed tears about the handsome Sadko, who forever gave his heart to a simple girl Lyubava.
In almost all popular beliefs, this flower is a beautiful and gentle symbol of purity and sad love. But sometimes it is believed that it cannot be given on the eve of the new moon, as it can push a woman on the path of sin, awakening immense lust in her.
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