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 & Effectiveness ?

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.

Special Precautions and Warnings

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 bloodpotassium levels: It's unsafe to use lily-of-the valley if you have low potassium levels. Avoid use.

Interactions ?

    Major Interaction

    Do not take this combination

  • Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY

    Digoxin 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.

  • Medications for inflammation (Corticosteroids) interacts with LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY

    Lily-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-VALLEY

    Lily-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.

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Antibiotics (Macrolide antibiotics) interacts with LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY

    Lily-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-VALLEY

    Lily-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.

  • Lithium interacts with LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY

    Lily-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.

  • Stimulant laxatives interacts with LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY

    Lily-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-VALLEY

    Lily-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.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.