May lily of the valley plant: Red Book and human use. May lily of the valley - dangerous berries of a delicate flower
Victor N.
May lily of the valley poisonous plant or not?
Lily of the valley is a poisonous and at the same time medicinal plant. Included in the Red Book due to its rarity in nature, but very common in garden plots. All its components are poisonous: roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits. Due to the high content of toxic substances, the plant is dangerous for humans, as well as animals and birds.
May lily of the valley. Description
It grows in coniferous forests, along rivers. Prefers dark and damp places. Rarely found in nature today. However, the flower is often grown by amateur gardeners in home gardens.
The plant is a perennial. Its height reaches 25-30 cm. It blooms in May. Inflorescences include up to 15-20 white bells with a strong spicy aroma. The leaves are dark green oval. In June-July appear small berries brick red.
Lily of the valley is used in traditional medicine
Lily of the valley - a poisonous plant
All parts are poisonous. The plant contains highly toxic components that affect primarily the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It is extremely dangerous for people, especially children, and also poses a danger to birds and most animals (with the exception of elk, deer, fox).
Advice. Gardeners should carefully plant lily of the valley in their gardens, especially if there are small children and pets. Also, people with allergies should be especially careful.
Touching the leaves and stems can cause redness and itching. If any part of the flower, fresh or dried, enters the body, severe poisoning can occur, depending on the dose and on the human immune system. The first symptoms are nausea and vomiting. In case of severe poisoning, possible: violations of the cardiovascular rhythm, disturbances in work nervous system, headache, decreased vision, hallucinations, and even coma and death.
Attention! In case of poisoning, the first thing to do is call an ambulance. And before the arrival of doctors - wash the stomach of the victim large quantity water.
Lily of the valley is a medicinal plant
Despite all the "terrible" properties described above, this plant is also medicinal. Or rather, it is the toxic substances contained in it that are used in medicine.
Advice. On the Internet you can find a lot of all kinds of tinctures, decoctions and other traditional medicine recipes based on lily of the valley. But still, you should not risk your health and it is better to consult a doctor first.
In medicine, it is used to make medicines during treatment the following types diseases:
- disorders of the nervous system;
- cardiovascular;
- a number of intestinal diseases.
Lily of the valley charming flower, the mention of him often evokes romantic moods. However, it is not as gentle and simple as it seems. This flower should be grown and used with great care.
May lily of the valley: video
May lily of the valley is a herbaceous perennial, which grows in forest zones, pine forests, in glades and along river channels. This plant has a lot of medicinal properties, but in turn is very poisonous and can cause serious poisoning. The stem of the plant is about 25 cm long, with about 20 small bell-shaped inflorescences.
May lily of the valley is a herbaceous perennial plant
Lily of the valley blooms in May - June. It is poisonous both in dry and in fresh. The most toxic and poisonous are the berries of the lily of the valley, as well as its flower. These toxic and very poisonous substances, which are found in high concentrations in the plant, can provoke severe poisoning in both children and adults.
The use of lily of the valley in medicine
Cardiological, diuretic, sedative and choleretic preparations are made from the raw materials of the May lily of the valley. The flower of the May plant contains a number of cardiac glycosides, apple and citric acids, starch, trace elements, vitamin C, as well as a number of essential oils. For the medicine, the fruit of the lily of the valley is used, which is harvested only in dry weather.
The collection of flowers and herbs of the May lily of the valley should be plucked only in the period before the plant begins to bloom. The fruits of the May plant are stored in a dry place for up to one year, and the leaves and grass for up to two years.
It must be remembered that all drugs based on poisonous May lily of the valley, before taking, you should agree on the dosage with your doctor!
The fruit of the lily of the valley is a spherical orange-red berry with 2 - 8 seeds
Healing properties
it amazing plant has a lot of healing properties:
- slows down the rhythm of heart contractions;
- improves blood circulation in the cardiovascular system;
- has an antispasmodic effect;
- diuretic and choleretic properties;
- removes inflammatory processes;
- has antipruritic and vasodilating action.
For treatment, such a poisonous plant is used in the form of tinctures, as for internal use - these are arrhythmias, endocarditis, heart failure, different kinds neurosis, epilepsy and edema, as well as for external lotions for eye diseases. Lily of the valley tincture can be bought at any pharmacy or you can cook it yourself at home.
To do this, the raw materials are crushed and poured with boiling water in such proportions of 1:50 and infused for about three hours in a thermos. After, filter and take a tablespoon every 2 hours. Usually, lily of the valley tincture is used in combination with preparations of motherwort, bromine and valerian extract.
Lily of the valley has healing properties
Everyone should remember that self-medication with any medication, including lily of the valley tincture, can lead to serious consequences that will negatively affect your health!
Poisoning and symptoms
Poisoning of the poisonous May plant can occur if it is taken in the wrong doses. In this case, there are:
severe nausea gradually turning into continuous vomiting;
- general weakness of the body;
- drowsiness;
- heart contractions are disturbed, and cardiac arrest may occur;
- the patient has a disorder of consciousness;
- hallucinations and flickering before the eyes.
In such conditions, if a person is not helped in time, a fatal outcome may occur.
Help with May lily of the valley poisoning
If poisoning with a poisonous plant has occurred, the first thing to do is to urgently call ambulance. Before the arrival of the doctor, it is necessary for the victim to provide first aid, which is as follows:
- Rinse the stomach in any way (give the patient a drink of plain clean boiled water or dilute manganese per liter warm water 1 gram of manganese). This is the way to induce vomiting.
- Then let one of the sorbents be taken - it can be sorbex or banal activated carbon.
- Taking saline laxatives.
- Make a cleansing enema, up to clean water.
In order to avoid serious poisoning by poisonous plants, you should not take medicines prepared at home on your own.
Prevention of poisoning
The main prevention of serious poisoning by poisonous plants is the observance of elementary rules for their use. What should be done to avoid such unpleasant symptoms?
- Plants should not be collected if you are not sure that this is the exact drug you need.
- Do not prepare your own tinctures and all kinds of decoctions for the treatment of diseases.
- Do not take medicines from plants prepared at home on your own or bought in pharmacies without the consent of the doctor.
- Do not exceed doses of tinctures from medicinal herbs, but stick to the dosage prescribed by the medical specialist.
- Do not listen to the advice of friends or healers who recommend taking such poisonous herbs for the treatment and prevention of a disease.
It should be remembered that in case of an overdose and untimely medical care a person who has been poisoned by this poisonous plant may be fatal.
Description
May lily of the valley is a herbaceous perennial plant that reaches a height of thirty centimeters. The large, oval-shaped leaves are dark green in color and have arcuate venation. From a creeping long rhizome, two or three elliptical opposite leaves usually grow. The white flowers of the bell-shaped plant have a very pleasant and strong smell. The inflorescence is a one-sided long thread that can contain up to 20 small buds. The flowering period of a plant such as May lily of the valley falls in April-June, and if the area is damp, it shifts by about a month. As for the fruits, they are spherical and shiny berries that appear at the end of August. They usually have a red or red-orange color.
Habitat and reproduction
May lily of the valley, described above, is common in the forest-steppe and forest European regions. The ideal place for it is a deciduous forest. In addition, the plant is often found on the edges, river and stream banks and in ordinary glades. flowers multiply vegetatively. In most cases, the thickets of this type of lily of the valley, in fact, are a separate single flower that has grown well. Seeds serve as an auxiliary method, so even birds that eat berries contribute to the spread of the plant.
Precautionary measures
The lily of the valley plant and especially its fruits are very poisonous and dangerous for human health. Therefore, if you accidentally drink even water from a glass where there were flowers, you should immediately do a gastric lavage. Otherwise, a person may experience a decline in cardiac activity. The plant is also dangerous for most animals, with the exception of deer and foxes, which eat it. Despite its graceful and fragile appearance, May lily of the valley is quite hardy and very powerful. Now it belongs to the list rare species Therefore, it is listed in the Red Book.
Medicinal properties and medical applications
Since ancient times, the plant was perceived as a sign of spring freshness and meant renewal. Not surprisingly, its fragrance is widely used in perfumery. AT chemical composition lilies of the valley contain about thirty cardiac glycosides, which makes the plants especially popular in medicine and pharmaceuticals. The raw materials for medicines are both flowers and leaves. Internal application preparations created from this plant, has a weak effect on human body, therefore, in combination with other drugs, it is usually used as a sedative. If there is an acute decline in the activity of the heart, the best therapeutic effect is achieved by intravenous administration. May lily of the valley is also widely used in folk medicine. In particular, an infusion of its flowers improves heart contractions, slows down the pulse, reduces swelling, and so on. In this regard, the plant is usually used for dropsy, fever, paralysis, and edema. Even eye diseases are treated with lotions from May lilies of the valley.
Almost everyone likes the garden lily of the valley, the photo of which is presented below. But few people know that in addition to its medicinal properties, lily of the valley also has very poisonous ones. How poisonous are the parts of the plant? What precautions should be taken when growing lily of the valley? This is what today's story is about.
May lily of the valley (garden) is a perennial herbaceous plant with tiny white bell-shaped flowers and small orange-red berries. Meanwhile, the seemingly innocent flower is a highly toxic plant.
Lily of the valley - a poisonous plant
Poison is the only defense against animals. If you have cats and dogs, you need to be on the lookout and not let them eat the fruit.
The plant is highly toxic to humans as well. Moreover, all parts of the plant are poisonous - stems, flowers, leaves, roots and berries, which contain more than 40 types of various glycosides. Glycosides are the most active natural substances that affect the strength of heart contractions.
The leaves of the plant can be mild skin irritants.
But the greatest concentration of poison is found in swollen underground stems called bulbs or corms.
If you picked a lily of the valley at home or received it as a gift small bouquet, before you put it in a vase, you should remember that the water in which the cut flowers were stored is also poisonous! It may contain enough toxins to be fatal.
And “tea” made from leaves brewed with boiling water contains even more toxins and is life-threatening even in small quantities.
In case of lily of the valley poisoning, the number of heart contractions decreases, visual clarity decreases, and a headache occurs.
In addition, the plant contains saponins, which cause gastrointestinal poisoning. When ingested, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea begin. A red rash appears on the skin, salivation increases. In severe cases, coma and subsequent death may occur.
Lily of the valley - medicinal plant
But precisely poisonous properties turned the flower into one of the most effective medicinal plants. Lily of the valley has plenty of medical indicators. This has been noticed since antiquity.
The property to influence the heart has been widely used for medical purposes since the time of the Roman Empire for the treatment of arrhythmia and heart failure.
In Russia, the plant has been valued since ancient times, but it was officially recognized as medicinal only in 1881. The cores always had "Zelenin drops" based on lily of the valley in their first aid kit.
Currently, as a heart remedy, this tincture is less popular than digitalis, since it is considered less useful and safe, although in terms of restoring the functions of brain activity and the nervous system, lily of the valley is more effective.
As an external topical application for burns and wounds, ointments and oils based on it are used. In cosmetology, a bleaching agent is prepared from the juice of the lily of the valley, which received the romantic name "flower water".
As a sedative and diuretic for fevers and convulsions, lily of the valley is used as a tea.
But that's not all. The plant helps with such serious illnesses like apoplexy, coma, epilepsy, memory loss, paralysis, shock, loss of speech. It is not for nothing that an old English fairy tale says that if you rub lily of the valley oil on your forehead, it will give a little common sense.
Needless to say, first of all, this is a poisonous plant and it is necessary to use it as a medicine very, very carefully. If there are small children in the house, then it is better not to have a lily of the valley. The photo and description of its beneficial and toxic properties, I hope, helped you to get to know the flower better.
Lily of the valley is a well-known plant with white flowers and a pronounced aroma. The flower is used to prepare various medicines, but in some cases is dangerous to humans. Lily of the valley poisonous or not? What is the harm of the plant?
Lily of the valley properties
It is recommended to learn to distinguish the May lily of the valley from other similar plants that bloom in May and June. This is a perennial plant, belongs to the asparagus family. Listed in the Red Book. Has a horizontal root system With good development. The leaves are lanceolate, large, dark green in color, slightly pointed at the tops.
One stem grows between the leaves, above the middle of which one brush with flowers is formed. Flowering lasts up to twenty days, at the end of the process, the formation of an ovary with an orange berry occurs. The fruit often contains two seeds.
The poisonous flower is medicinal and, due to its properties, is used in medicine. The composition contains various useful substances.
Substances:
- Essential oils that have a beneficial effect on the nervous and hormonal system.
- Flavonoids strengthen the vascular walls.
- Saponins have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Organic acids normalize the digestion process and have a strengthening effect on the immune system.
- Important trace elements and vitamins.
- Glycosides, favorably acting on the work of the heart muscle.
- Coumarins improve the process of hematopoiesis, restore blood composition.
- Sugars that nourish the heart and nerve fibers.
However, for medical purposes, substances from lily of the valley are used in minimal quantities. Use the plant on your own medicinal purposes not recommended to avoid overdose and negative consequences.
What is the danger of lily of the valley for humans
Lily of the valley poisonous or not? Vegetation is considered dangerous to living organisms and belongs to poisonous species. It has toxic all parts, especially fruits - they contain most of harmful compounds. Poisoning by lily of the valley seeds is possible.
The composition contains cardiac glycosides used for medical purposes, but in small quantities.
When an increased dosage enters the body, an intense heartbeat is noted, there is a violation of cardiac activity, the transmission of nerve impulses. Death occurs as a result of the use of a substance in an amount five times higher than the therapeutic dosage.
Lily of the valley contains substances analogous to glucocorticosteroids - saponin steroids. When ingested, atherosclerosis develops, pressure decreases, and the respiratory process is disturbed. There are several reasons for lily of the valley poisoning.
The reasons:
- After the flowering process is over, appearance lily of the valley becomes inconspicuous, and the leaves are very similar to wild garlic. If a person confuses two plants and a lily of the valley leaf gets into food, then serious poisoning occurs, and a fatal outcome is not ruled out.
- Lily of the valley berries are the most dangerous part. Often, children suffer from lily of the valley poisoning due to curiosity and lack of control from adults. Berries retain toxic properties after heat treatment, therefore, it is unacceptable to use them for compotes and jams.
- The manufacture of medicines from lily of the valley requires careful adherence to all proportions and technologies. Otherwise, serious intoxication may develop.
In severe poisoning, the work of the heart is disrupted. Death occurs due to the cessation of cardiac activity and failures in all systems. For humans, even the water in which there was a bouquet of flowers is toxic. A long stay in a room with a bouquet of lilies of the valley leads to a headache and a deterioration in the general condition.
What is the danger of lily of the valley for animals
Lily of the valley fruits and flowers are toxic to domestic cats and dogs and cause serious poisoning in them. However, some wild animals and birds tolerate the poison of the plant well. Many animals of the canine family are insensitive to the toxins present in the lily of the valley. However, most birds and animals die when eating the berries of the plant.
In pets, the fruits of the plant cause heart failure, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy. If these symptoms occur, it is recommended to take the animal to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Plant poisoning symptoms
Signs of lily of the valley poisoning appear after some time. Clinical manifestations depend on the severity of intoxication.
Signs:
- sharp and intense vomiting, bouts of nausea;
- skin becomes pale;
- there are painful sensations in the abdomen;
- the heart begins to contract less often;
- the rhythm of the heart muscle is disturbed;
- constant desire to sleep, muscle weakness;
- lowering blood pressure;
- confusion, hallucinations;
- cardiac arrest in severe forms of poisoning.
The described symptoms are typical for acute poisoning. With prolonged use of preparations from lily of the valley, a person develops a chronic form of intoxication. It is characterized by the presence of less pronounced symptoms.
What happens:
- A sharp decrease in body weight.
- neuralgic disorders.
- Violation of consciousness.
- Insufficiency of the heart muscle.
- Failures of visual functions, a person sees everything in yellow.
The appearance of such symptoms requires prompt medical attention. This will help avoid negative consequences and lethal outcome.
Help with lily of the valley intoxication
Lily of the valley poisoning is life-threatening, so you need to help the victim as soon as possible. First of all, when suspicious symptoms appear, a team of doctors is called. Before their arrival, they carry out actions aimed at cleansing the body of the toxin.
What to do:
- Perform gastric lavage. For this purpose, a weak solution of manganese or salt is used. The poisoned person drinks the liquid, then provokes. Washing is carried out until complete cleansing outgoing waters.
- They give a poisoned person, they will help to quickly cleanse the body of toxins.
- It is allowed to use laxatives and cleansing enemas.
- Give plenty of water to drink.
AT medical institution after examinations, a suitable treatment is selected. Prescribe the necessary drugs, medicinal solutions. Treatment is carried out until the complete restoration of vital functions.
Consequences and measures of poisoning
Poisoning with lily of the valley toxins is dangerous for any person. But children, the elderly and patients with diseased kidneys are especially affected. The possibility of developing negative consequences in the form of disruption of work is not excluded. internal organs. by the most severe consequence is fatal.
Observance of safety measures will help to avoid poisoning. Adults should explain to children that lily of the valley and its berries are dangerous. If the kids also go to the forest, then you need to control their every step.
Is lily of the valley poisonous? It is not recommended to use a flower for self-treatment. However, if there is still a desire, then you must carefully follow the entire recipe and not exceed the allowable dosage for treatment.
Lily of the valley is poisonous to humans and animals. Despite the beauty of the flower, there is a real danger. The plant can cause rapid death or disability.
Video: lily of the valley - is a poisonous plant