Lily of the Valley: Its Benefits, Uses, and Origins
Lily of the Valley is popularly used in wedding rites as decorations or bridal bouquets. It has sweet scent and delightful blossoms that even royalties are spotted using it for their special events. But Lily of the Valley is not all aesthetic. It also contains in it compounds that give it a number of health benefits which made it a famous source of medicine since ancient times.
Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis), also known as May Bells, Our Lady’s Tears, and Mary’s Tears, is a flowering plant native to the Northern Hemisphere, Asia, and Europe.
It also goes by the name Muguet in French.
Lily of the Valley is a popular source of oil used in making perfumes. In fact, famous perfume makers such as Dior make use of lily of the valley scent as a base for their perfumes.
Although one might think that it is related to the common flowering plant lily, it is actually not a true lily.
Photo from Southern Living
Belonging to the Asparagaceae family, the Lily of the Valley is an herbaceous plant with glossy green leaves. Its small, bell-shaped white flowers grow in clusters on a leafless stalk. The plant also bears berries that are orange to red. This plant grows close to each other and is often used as ground cover.
Lily of the Valley is classified as a poisonous plant if ingested or consumed by humans and animals because of its cardiac glycoside content.
Lily of the Valley essential oil has a sweet, floral, fresh scent which is also described to be light and very feminine. This oil is extracted from the plant’s flowers. The oil’s key components are benzyl alcohol, citronellol, geranyl acetate, 2,3-dihydrofarnesol, (E)-cinnamyl alcohol, and (E)- and (Z)-isomers of phenylacetaldehyde oxime.
Traditional Uses of Lily of the Valley
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Lily of the Valley has been mentioned in different stories and legends. Legend has it that the plant grew from where Eve shed her tears when she and Adam were evicted from the Garden of Eden.
In Greek legend, the plant was gifted to Aesculapius, the great healer, by the Sun God Apollo. The flowers also symbolise the tears of the Virgin Mary in Christian stories, hence the name Mary’s tears.
Because of its beautiful flowers and sweet scent, it was widely used as a bridal bouquet, which is believed to bring fortune and luck to the newly married couple. Others believe the opposite, believing the flower brings bad luck and should only be used to honour the dead.
Lily of the Valley was also used to protect gardens and ward off evil spirits and as charms against spells from witches.
Understanding the Claims Around Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley has a history of use in traditional preparations, particularly in relation to the heart and circulation.
You may also encounter claims that it supports detoxification, digestion, respiratory health, inflammation and emotional wellbeing.
However, there is very limited clinical research supporting these uses, especially for products marketed as “lily of the valley essential oil.”
Many of the claims appear to have been drawn from the historical use of the plant and its naturally occurring cardiac glycosides—not from studies of a commercially available essential oil or fragrance.
This distinction is important because lily of the valley is a poisonous plant, while the scent used in modern fragrance products is generally a recreated fragrance accord. Traditional use should therefore not be interpreted as proof of safety or effectiveness.
For reference, here are some research studies we've found:
As research into these traditional uses remains limited, we’ll focus instead on the aromatic and sensory qualities for which lily of the valley is best known.
Benefits of Lily of the Valley Fragrance
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Creates a fresh and inviting atmosphere
Lily of the valley is known for its delicate green-floral aroma. Its clean, softly sweet scent can make a room feel lighter, fresher and more welcoming.
Brings a gentle quality to moments of rest
The soft floral character of lily of the valley works beautifully in spaces and rituals centred on slowing down. Its fragrance can complement quiet moments such as journalling, meditation or unwinding at the end of the day.
Adds freshness without feeling overpowering
Lily of the valley has a light, airy scent that brings freshness to a fragrance blend without becoming too heavy. This makes it suitable for bedrooms, living spaces and other areas where a softer ambience is preferred.
Photo from The Graphic Fairy
Complements a mindful self-care ritual
Scent can help create a sense of transition between a busy day and a quieter moment. Using a lily of the valley fragrance as part of a familiar routine can make that moment feel more intentional and comforting.
Blends beautifully with other fragrance notes
Its fresh floral character pairs well with green, citrus, woody and other floral notes. In a blend, lily of the valley can add brightness, softness and balance to the overall scent.
Photo from Innerfyre Co
Safety Tips and Precautions
It's important to note that Lily of the Valley is known to be poisonous when ingested by humans and animals. This can cause vomiting, nausea, abnormal heart rhythm, headache, and may lead to loss of consciousness.
If you've discovered you or a loved one has ingested this oil, seek immediate medical attention.
Keep in mind that despite its popularity in folk medicine for centuries, there is still insufficient evidence to rate its effectiveness for irregular heartbeat, heart failure, kidney stones, infection of the eye and other conditions.
Since this oil can affect the heart and other systems of the body, it may have adverse effects on people who suffer from certain diseases, especially if used without a doctor’s recommendation.
For people who have heart diseases and have low potassium levels, using lily of the valley essential oil should only be under the advice of a physician.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to avoid this oil.
Want to explore more of the world of essential oils? Here are some more floral scents worth discovering:
