Lily of the Valley. 2V. O.Liliacea. (French "Muguet")

Long highly esteemed as a domestic remedy in Russia. Rhizome, whole herb and flowers, but the fresh root seems to have most power.

Therapeutics. Valuable in dropsy and as a heart-tonic: it diminishes the frequency, and increases the energy of the cardiac contractions, without any cumulative action. It acts first as a strong diuretic. It does not injuriously affect either the digestive or the cerebro-spinal system, but increases appetite and improves intestinal action.

Its use seems indicated where the continuation of Digitalis disturbs the functions of the stomach and proves cumulative. Its action is often brilliant in paroxysmal palpitation, due to nervous causes, and rapid irregular heart-action, dependent on debility. Dose of tincture, 20 minims stimulate the heart; 1 drachm acts as a sedative to it. Dose, fluid extract, 5 to 30 minims soft extract, 2 to 8 grains. "An effective treatment is 24 minims of fluid extract in 24 hours to begin with."