Flavors/Temps: Bitter

Caution: Considered very safe. NOTE: The red berries are poisonous.

History/Folklore: Culpeper said lily of the valley strengthened the brain, aiding memory and if distilled in wine could restore speech. He also reported that in his time these little lilies grew plentifully on Hampstead Heath, England. The herbalist Green, writing 100 years ago, tells us, “since the trees on Hampstead Heath, near London, have been destroyed, [lily of the valley] has been but sparingly found there.” There is an old English legend from Sussex that St. Leonard fought against a great dragon in the woods near Horham and wherever his blood fell lilies of the valley sprang up to commemorate the desperate fight. The woods still bear the name of St Leonard and the forest floor is still covered in lilies of the valley. It was used very successfully in WWI to treat soldiers exposed to poisonous gas at the Front. If flowers are thrown into olive or sweet almond oil they will impart their sweet smell. Best to repeatedly infuse the oil with fresh flowers to strengthen the aromas. Apuleius, a second century herbalist, recorded that Apollo gave the plant as a gift to Aeculapius, the god of healing. In the 16th century, Herbalist John Gerad advocated the herb for those who had “fallen into apoplexy”, saying the herb was also good for gout and treating the heart. Lily of the valley is often preferred to foxglove as it is gentler and does not build up toxic levels in the body as much as foxglove does. Russians use the herb for epilepsy. Christian legend says the flower sprang from the weeping Virgin Mary during the crucifixion of Jesus. Other legends say it sprang up from Eve’s tears after she and Adam were driven from the Garden of Eden. In religious iconography it is a symbol of humility and a sign of Christ’s second coming. The power to envision of better world was also attributed to the flower. It can also symbolize the return of happiness. It is the national flower of Finland.