(Other names: Mayflower, Mugwort) It is from the lily family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with a creeping root that grows wild and widely in the mountain and forest regions of Central Europe, growing to a height of 15-30 cm. In our country, it grows in the forests of Istanbul, Izmit and the Taurus Mountains, and is also grown as an ornamental plant in some gardens.
The root of the plant, which loves shade and moist places, is in the form of rootlets spreading from its rhizome (root-trunk); its leaves are stemless, elliptical, large and wide. There are two leaves on each shoot. Its small white flowers, which bloom in April-May, are stemmed, bell-shaped, hanging and have a strong scent. Its small fruit is red and scented.
The roots, rhizomes, stems, leaves and flowers of lily of the valley contain sticky plant fluid, volatile oil and glycosides. The essence extracted from the flowers is valuable in the perfume industry.
The medicinal effects of the plant and how to benefit from them are explained below:
1. Among the plants beneficial to health, lily of the valley has the most valuable healing effect for our heart. It has a strengthening effect on the heart, especially in people whose hearts are aging and whose blood vessels are narrowed.
2. It stops heart palpitations.
3. It is a diuretic.
4. It also has a laxative effect.
In order to benefit from these effects, the leaves and flowers are collected in April and May when the plant blooms and dried in a shaded and airy place. The infusion is prepared by pouring 1 glass of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of dried leaf-flower mixture and letting it brew for 10-15 minutes, and is taken two or three times a day, one glass at a time.
Lily of the valley has no toxic effects. However, it should be used under the supervision of a doctor for heart diseases.
