Convallaria - A neglected heart remedy. By Charles C. Boericke, M. D.

Presented by Sylvain Cazalet

CONVALLARIA MAJALIS is the ordinary

lily-of-the-valley belonging to the species

Maiblume. It grows everywhere in the woods.

Its blossoms are bell-shaped with four or six

divisions and a corresponding calyx. They are

small plants with broad roots and stem leaves. It

is a span high and the two leaves are-broad and

streakless. The fragrant flowers appear in May,

the red berries in September. The root is fibrous

and creeping, spreads rapidly and when

powdered excites sneezing. An extract of the

root is purgative. The plant name is very old. It

occurs in the Bible. Great joy comes to those

who wear it. In the flower language it means, "you are modest ; renewed luck." In the middle

ages this spring flower was used as a remedy and highly treasured as a panacea.

It was claimed that the Mayflower would strengthen the

brain, nerves and nervous tissue, hence it was used for all

diseases of the head, as vertigo, epilepsy, sleeping sickness,

melancholia, strokes, etc. It was used in the form of an

extract or tincture. These cephalic properties were later

forgotten and towards the end of the eighteenth century it

was used only for the composition of sneezing powders.

However, it remained popular in Russia and was

commonly used as a diuretic. In 1880, Convallaria was first

brought to the notice of the orthodox medical profession as

a remedy for cardiac valve affections by Trotsky. Two

facts predominated from the results of the physiological

experimentations in Russia and later corroborated in Paris,

viz., the regularization and augmentation in energy of the

cardiac contractions, and second, diuresis.

Convallaria is one of the newer Homœopathic remedies,

not being mentioned in our literature previous to 1883, and

for that reason is not to be found in Allen's "Encyclopedia"

or Hering's "Guiding Symptoms." This may be one of the

reasons why it is not more often used. Even the Allopaths value it more highly than many of us

do, as I shall attempt to show a little later.

But I can assure you that Convallaria is a very potent remedy an heart conditions when certain

indications are present, and finds its place as the much needed remedy for cardiac support when

there seems little else to offer except digitalis and yet digitalis is plainly not indicated.

Convallaria Majalis, L.

Dr W. Boericke

It is not my purpose now to go into the indications for digitalis and yet I cannot refrain from

remarking the digitalis is used far too often when it is

not indicated.

Certainly a pulse regular in force, rate and rhythm

does not indicate digitalis and yet how of ten in cases

of early myocarditis with dyspnœa on exertion and

slight œdema of the extremities do we see digitalis

prescribed for such cases despite the regular pulse.

How much tetter we would do by the patient if we

noted their symptoms carefully and gave them Cactus,

Cratægus, Adonis, Iberis or Convallaria as the

symptoms seemed to indicate.

Now first let us see what the orthodox school has to

say about Convallaria. Dr. W. Lenneker in an article

appearing in the Therapeutic Gazette of Detroit says

that he has teen using the fluid extract of Convallaria

extensively in all kinds of heart affections excepting

fatty degeneration of the heart, and sums up his

experience by staling that "Convallaria in itself is one

of the best tonics for the stomach ; it gives tone to the

stomach and increases the appetite, and what is more, it

exerts a tonic effect upon the intestinal mucosa,

increasing the action of the bowels in a great many people."

Shoemaker (Materia Medica and Therapeutics) says, "In small doses this drug

(Convallaria) strengthens the heart's action. In larger quantities it restrains excessive cardiac

activity. It has been found of service in mitral insufficiency. It quickly relieves the dyspnœa and

palpitation and after having been given for two or three days may be discontinued for a week or

more without recurrence of symptoms.

"Convallaria seldom disagrees with the stomach and no cumulative action has been observed.

As a rule the appetite and digestion seem to improve under its use and regular action of the

bowels is promoted.

"Germain-See mentions its use in the following pathological conditions. He highly

recommends it in simple cardiac arrhythmias ; in palpitation resulting from a state of exhaustion

of the vagus nerve (the most frequent cause of palpitation) ; in mitral stenosis, especially when

accompanied by failure of compensation on the part of the left auricle, the cardiac force

augments, visibly under Convallaria as the syhygmograph testifies. In mitral insufficiency where

there is pulmonary congestion and in dilation of the heart without fatty degeneration Convallaria

is indicated. In all cardiac affections indifferently from the moment that cardiac inflammations

appear Convallaria has an action efficient, prompt, and certain".

Dr T. F. Allen

Ellingwood in his Materia Medica (eclectic) even enlarges on the above indications for

Convallaria.

It is evident from numerous clinical works that Convallaria is an excellent substitute for

digitalis in those conditions where digitalis is not specifically indicated and yet empirically

prescribed. Convallaria is better tolerated, does not accumulate in the system, does not increase

the blood-pressure (although I realize that this is a mooted question in pharmacology), and

finally if its effect is slow, it is less fleeting. This latter point I have personally demonstrated to

my satisfaction. Once a patient is under the influence of Convallaria he may be kept comfortable

for months at a time.

S. Solis-Cohen in his latest book on Pharmacotherapeutics estates that "Convallaria is

recommended in place of digitalis, which as regards its action on the heart and blood vessels it

closely resembles, when for any reason it is deemed advisable to suspend the administration of

the latter for a period and yet not leave the heart without any support".

Now as regards our Homœopathic indications for Convallaria :

Dyspnœa with inability to lie down is the leading indication for the selection of the remedy.

Around this symptom most of the other revolve. Dyspnœa caused by walking or ascending stairs

or a hill even when there is no organic lesion or but slight involvement.

Convallaria is a valuable remedy for weak heart with more or less irregularity and with or

without valvular lesions.

It is always to be thought of in dyspnœa with pulmonary stasis, hyperstatic congestion and

cyanosis. It is useful for dilation of the heart due to emphysema. It is also indicated in dropsical

conditions with scanty urine and constipation.

The patient needing Convallaria will often complain of a feeling as if the heart beat

throughout the chest. Also a sensation as if the heart ceased beating and then started again

suddenly. The tongue is usually broad and thick with a dirty coating. There is a coppery metallic

taste. The abdomen is sensitive. Clothes feel tight. Bladder feels full. In females soreness in the

uterine region with sympathetic palpitation of the heart. Generalized aching in back, wrists,

hands, ankles and toes. The modalities are better in the open air and worse in a warm room.

I use Convallaria in the tincture -usually 20 drops in one-half glass of water and one

teaspoonful every two hours. In old chronic I prescribe five drops of the tincture three times

daily.

Chas. C. Boericke, M. D.,

Berkeley.