MEDICINAL PLANTS

The Convalaria is a herbaceous perennial creeping rhizome fitted which starts the air, reaching a height not exceeding one inch. The flowers are put into one cluster, the number of five to ten; are white, bell-shaped pendant, are divided into six lobes and have a very mild odor. The fruit is a globular berry, scarlet, divided into three dwellings where there are seeds. It breeds across the Pyrenees to the Basque country, even where it is most abundant in parts of Castile. It is also an ornamental plant, so it is not difficult to see in parks and gardens.

FLOWERING

It blooms in May. Interesting collection of flowering tops. In our country this plant is very low, hence should not tear but only cut the flowering plants, leaves, close to the ground, leaving a few stems in each strain, so that the plant does not die at all and could recover the following year. The best time to dispose of it is when the flowers open, making it dry quickly.

APPLICATIONS

The most important active ingredient of this herb is Convallatoxin, very toxic substance in use. Its toxicity is focused on one of the most important viscera of the body, which is the heart. A small dose behaves as a powerful cardiac tonic, not accumulating in your body significantly. In this it differs from other cardiotonic that do accrue, resulting toxic. But it is a plant that usually induce vomiting with relative ease and also its pharmacological effects are not as regular would be expected, whereas domestic use is absolutely contraindicated. Like most drugs, their use should be left to specialist staff, today, are doctors. For the fans gathering plants for medicinal purposes have to make a warning: the "bear's garlic, a species of the lily family, when no flowers can be easily confused with the poisonous plant, to distinguish them, should rub the plant: if off a strong smell of garlic, doubt is resolved. On the medical level, this plant has some use in various cardiac diseases, preferably in cases of cardiovascular weakness and fluid retention-cardiac causes but only in selected patients under close surveillance.

ADMINISTRATION

It is a plant that should be collected or even less use in self-therapy and therefore not worth delving into the possible forms of administration. Just take a note that is also used in some homeopathic treatments.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Liliaceae
HABITAT: Pyrenees
FLOWERING: Spring
PART USED: Sumidad florida
CASTILIAN: Lirio convalio
CATALAN: Conval-lària

USES

Toxic Strong, Cardiotonic Moderate, Diuretic Moderate.