We are back with yet another article on the series, the flower of the month. May’s flower is the lily of the valley. Not to be superstitious but they are also considered to bring luck in love thus considered a sign of return happiness. Let us tell you more about the flower of the month – May.
Meaning –. Rebirth
- In Christianity: It indicates the purity of Christ, it got this honor mainly because of its pearl white color.
- Other Meanings: Chastity, humility, purity, sweetness, and motherhood.
- Other Names: Lady’s tears, Mayflower, Mary’s tears, May bells, May lily.
Harms
This flower will give you fairytale vibes due to its fragile shape and sweet scent but do not get dazed by its looks because every part of this beautiful flower is poisonous. It will only harm you if consumed, not when you touch or smell. Upon getting swallowed, it can cause abnormal heart rate, visual color disturbance, decreased consciousness and responsiveness, abdominal pain, vomiting, and irregular heartbeats. If you happen to swallow it, get to the nearest medical center right away.
Benefits
Flower of the month – May should only be used under the supervision of a doctor, do not use it as medicine on your own. As it affects heart muscles, it needs to be consumed with great care after getting its side effects checked on you. As every person has different health conditions only a professional can guide you through this. Its overdose can lead to cardiac failure. Stay away from it especially if you struggle with heart conditions, diabetes, potassium deficiency, or you are dealing with an unborn or an infant.
Not too much of that, there are a lot of drugs that should not be combined with Lily of the valley. Medicines that should not be mixed with this herb are:
- Lithium.
- Quinidine.
- Digoxin.
- Calcium supplements.
- Laxatives.
- Beta-blocker drugs.
- Medicines for inflammation.
- Water pills.
- Some antibiotics.
It is dried flower tips, roots, and rhizome (stems that stay underground) are used as an ingredient in medicines to treat:
· Multiple heart conditions like valvular disease, cardiac debility, arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat or worse, dropsy heart failure and CHF (Congestive Heart Failure), and Angina pectoris, chest pain caused by coronary arteries. It happens when the heart muscles do not get as much oxygen or blood as it needs due to the blockage or narrowed arteries.
·
- Strokes.
- Shock.
- Speech Loss.
- Paralysis.
- Joint problems.
- UTI (Urinary Tract Infection).
- Conjunctivitis (Eye infection).
- Leprosy (Hansen’s disease).
- Edema (fluid retention).
- COPDs (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases) like asthma and emphysema.
- Weak contractions in labor.
- Kidney stones.
- Memory loss, apoplexy, and epilepsy (a central nervous system disorder, where the brain starts acting abnormal, causing the human to start unusual behavior for some time, seizure, and sensations).
- The essential oil made from the lily of the valley is used in aromatherapy to help treat melancholy, headache, and depression.
Its benefits on the skin are as below: - Aqua Aurea (a tonic made up of water and parts of lily of the valley) has been used since, as far as, the 5th century (the medieval age, best known as the middle age) to lighten skin tone.
- Helps heal burns, cuts, or other deeper wounds whiles reducing the possibility of scars.
How to grow:
As this plant cannot survive in cold weather or wet soil, buy its crown from any garden shop and soak for half an hour in water. Bury its roots inside compost while keeping the shoot on the surface. Plant in pots indoors first, during March then plant them outside during May. When choosing the land for it, choose the one with moist, rich, and well-drained, acidic neutral soil. Provide partial shade. It can also thrive in full sun if provided enough water.
