Lily Of The Valley (Convallaria majalis, Jacob's Ladder, May Bells, May Lily)
Classes: Cardiovascular, Herbals
Suggested dosing of Convallaria majalis, Jacob's Ladder (lily of the valley)
Cardiac Glycosides
Insufficient reliable evidence available for effectiveness
600 mg/day PO average amount
Tincture: 6 g/day divided TID PO
Liquid extract: 600 mg/day divided TID PO
Dried extract: 150 mg/day PO
Suggested uses of Convallaria majalis, Jacob's Ladder (lily of the valley)
Circulatory disorders, heart palpitations, arrhythmia, CHF, cardiac edema, cardiac asthma, kidney and bladder stones, UTI
Efficacy
Contains cardiac glycosides similar to those in digitalis
Warnings
Contraindications
High BP, kidney/liver dz, potassium deficiency
Pregnancy
Cautions
Use only under qualified supervision: potentially fatal if overdosed
Taking more than recommended dose may cause nausea, vomiting, headache, stupor, disorders of color perception, and irregular heartbeat
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: avoid
Lactation: N/A
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Convallaria majalis, Jacob's Ladder (lily of the valley)
Mechanism of action
Cardiac glycosides increase force and power of heartbeat without increasing amount of oxygen required by cardiac muscle
