Lily of the valley
Lily of the valley is a plant whose root, root stem and dried flower tips are used to make medicine. Lily of the valley is used for heart problems including heart failure and irregular heartbeat. It is also used for urinary tract infections, kidney stones, weak contractions during childbirth, epilepsy, water retention, strokes and resulting paralysis, conjunctivitis, eye infections and leprosy. Lily of the valley should be kept in a well-sealed container away from light.
How does lily of the valley work?
Lily of thevalley contains substances that have an activity on the heart muscle. It can influence the contractions, heart rate and excitability of the heart muscle.
How effective is lily of the valley?
There is not enough scientific data to say how effective lily of the valley is for irregular heartbeat, heart failure and other heart problems, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, weak contractions during childbirth, epilepsy, water retention, stroke, paralysis, eye infections, conjunctivitis and leprosy. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of lily of the valley in these applications.
Safety and side effects
Lily of thevalley may be safe and harmless for most people when used under proper medical supervision. However, lily of the valley is not safe and harmless when used for self-medication. Because lily of the valley can affect the heart and other body systems, dosages must be carefully chosen and side effects monitored by a physician. If you accidentally swallow lily of the valley, you should seek medical treatment immediately. Lily of the valley can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abnormal heart rhythm, headache, reduced consciousness, reduced reactions and visual color disturbances.
Precautions and warnings
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: You should not use lily of the valley for self-medication if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not safe to use unless under medical supervision.
Heart disease: You should not use lily of the valley for self-medication if you have a heart condition. It is not safe to use unless under medical supervision.
Low potassium levels: You should not use lily of the valley if you suffer from a potassium deficiency. Lily of the valley contains chemicals called cardiac glycosides, which can cause low potassium levels. This could exacerbate a potassium deficiency. If potassium levels drop too low, it can damage the heart.
Interactions
Lily of the valley should not be used in combination with the following medications:
Calcium supplements
Lily of thevalley can stimulate the heart. Calcium can also stimulate the heart. Taking lily of the valley in combination with calcium could result in excessive stimulation of the heart. For this reason, lily of the valley should not be used in combination with calcium supplements.
Medication against inflammation (corticosteroids)
Lily of thevalley could affect the heart. Some anti-inflammatory drugs can lower potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from lily of the valley.
Quinine
Lily of the valley may affect the heart. Quinine can also affect the heart. Taking lily of the valley in combination with quinine could cause serious heart problems.
Care should be taken when combining lily of the valley with the following medications:
Antibiotics (macrolide antibiotics)
Lily of the valley can affect the heart. Some antibiotics may increase the amount of lily of the valley absorbed by the body. Taking lily of the valley with macrolide antibiotics could increase the effects and side effects of lily of the valley.
Antibiotics (tetracyline antibiotics)
Taking certain antibiotics in combination with lily of the valley could increase the risk of the side effects of lily of the valley. Some antibiotics that interact with lily of the valley include demeclocycline, minocycline, and tetracycline.
Lithium
Lily of the valley may have a dehydrating (diuretic) effect. Taking lily of the valley may interfere with the body's excretion of lithium, which could result in increased lithium levels and serious side effects. For this reason, it is important to consult your doctor before using lily of the valley if you are taking lithium. The lithium dosage may need to be adjusted.
Stimulant laxatives
Lily of the valley can affect the heart. The heart uses potassium. Laxatives, known as stimulant laxatives, can reduce potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects caused by lily of the valley.
Diuretics
Lily of thevalley may affect the heart. Diuretics can lower potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from lily of the valley.
Dosage
An appropriate dosage of lily of the valley depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for lily of the valley. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.