Evidence supporting the use of: Lily of the Valley
For the health condition: Angina

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe, for treating heart-related conditions including angina and mild heart failure. The plant contains cardiac glycosides, primarily convallatoxin, which have effects somewhat similar to those of digitalis (from foxglove), known to strengthen heart contractions and regulate heart rhythm. Historical accounts from the 16th and 17th centuries suggest the use of Lily of the Valley for “palpitations” and other heart complaints, and it remained part of European pharmacopeias into the early 20th century.

However, while traditional use is well documented, modern scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for angina is limited. There are no robust clinical trials demonstrating benefit for angina pectoris specifically, and most references to its cardiac effects are based on pharmacological studies or case reports rather than controlled human studies. Furthermore, due to its narrow therapeutic index and potential toxicity, Lily of the Valley is rarely used in modern clinical practice. Today, safer and more effective pharmacological treatments are available for angina, and Lily of the Valley is mostly of historical interest. Its use persists in some herbal traditions, but this is not supported by strong scientific evidence.

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Products containing Lily of the Valley

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