Lily of the Valley (also spelled as lily-of-the-valley and called May Bells, Ladder-to Heaven, and Our Lady's Tears) was once used as a heart tonic, but this is no longer advised. As such, it is thought to bring joy and protection and to increase wisdom. It is also thought connected to the signs of Taurus and Gemini, the rune Hagalaz, the month of May, the planet of Mercury, nightingales, and fairies. It may also be connected to the mythological Mercury and his mother Maia. It has also been connected to St. Leonard.
Jess has a personal vibe with Lily of the Valley that she doesn't see often addressed in magic books. Lily of the Valley is an herb of contradiction. Bitter and poisonous, it is known widely by a sweet and demure reputation. It is small and unassuming but locally invasive. It is inextricably culturally linked with femininity, and along with that dainty and polite exterior, there is a feminine rage underneath. Jess loves to use Lily of the Valley to call upon exactly that power for protection or for health.
Lily of the Valley is in an interesting plant in that, while it does produce flowers and fruits, these fruits rarely full mature as they are not the main method by which the plant reproduces. Instead, it spreads by a sprawling stem. In some British folk practices, leaves of Lily of the Valley would be tied over an abrasion to draw pain and sickness out. It is thought that the flowers are the most medicinally powerful part of the plant, but all parts have historically been used. Again, its medicinal action is on the heart, so we very much do not suggest ingesting it or absorbing its constituents through other means. Scented oil can be produced by infusing the flowers in olive or almond oil, removing the spent flowers, and then repeating this process with the same oil and new flowers a dozen times.
Our Lily of the Valley was planted by Kendra's mother. Only since her mother's death has this flower spread to all corners of the house, we believe embodying a mother's love and protection. We know her well enough to know that she would not mind our selling it, especially because we do have to weed it anyway, as we do not think she actually intends it to go full invasive and take space from the other plants. Because of the limited supply, it is sold in 5g bags for $10. Leaves are dried whole, but some of them break during packaging. Additionally, they are fragile and may crumble before they get to you.
Our herbs are not packaged in a commercial kitchen, and, as such, are not fit for human consumption in accordance with Health Canada regulations. THIS HERB IS NOT FIT FOR CONSUMPTION NO MATTER WHO PROVIDES IT. Our herbs are sold for religious, spiritual, and curio purposes. Our herbs are stocked at our booth at the 400 Market in Innisfil, Ontario, which is only open on weekends, which may delay fulfillment of online orders. When ordering online, your hollyhock package will be intuitively chosen for you. All our prices are inclusive of sales tax within Canada, when applicable.
