Evidence supporting the use of: Lily of the Valley
For the health condition: Cardiac Arrest
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) has a long-standing history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe, where it was used as a cardiac tonic. The plant contains cardiac glycosides, primarily convallatoxin, which have effects similar to those of digitalis (from foxglove). These compounds act on the heart by increasing the force of contraction and can influence heart rhythm. Historically, Lily of the Valley was used to manage various heart conditions, including congestive heart failure and arrhythmias, and by extension, was sometimes considered in severe cardiac events.
However, there is no robust modern scientific evidence supporting the use of Lily of the Valley specifically for the treatment of cardiac arrest—a sudden, life-threatening cessation of heart function. Cardiac arrest requires immediate advanced medical intervention, such as CPR and defibrillation, and is not treatable with herbal remedies. While the pharmacological activity of cardiac glycosides is established, their narrow therapeutic window and toxicity profile make unsupervised or traditional use potentially dangerous.
In summary, the use of Lily of the Valley for heart conditions, including cardiac arrest, is rooted in historical tradition rather than validated by current clinical research, and its application in acute cardiac emergencies is not supported by contemporary medical practice.
Other ingredients used for Cardiac Arrest
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)magnesium
Adrenergic amines
Adrenaline
Catecholamine
Other health conditions supported by Lily of the Valley
AnginaArrhythmia
Cardiac Arrest
Congestive Heart Failure
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Heart Valves