Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) for Hair
The sweet-scented flowering plant which symbolizes happiness, humility, and vision of a better world is a part of many myths of the Ancient World. Except for being a part of myths, it is also a part of many beneficial natural remedies for it contains healing properties.
Its scent is considered by some as the most attractive of any wildflower
What is Lily of the valley?
The plant native to England, North America, and North Asia is a part of many myths and legends. According to a Greek legend, Lily of the valley was given by Apollo, the Sun God, to Aesculapius, the great healer for it possesses almost mythical powers when it comes to rejuvenation.
Today, we know a bit more about this wonderful plant. It is a woodland flowering plant with sweetly scented, pendent, bell-shaped white flowers borne in sprays in spring. The flower by itself is not fit for human consumption, but as soon as we started extracting oils and other minerals from the flower its benefits were discovered. From perfumes to healing oils, it is a part of many adored products.
The famous seventeenth-century botanist and physician Nicholas Culpeper said that "It, without doubt, strengthens the brain and renovates a weak memory." Many health benefits can be extracted from the Lily of the valley and they include everything from skin beauty benefits to cardiovascular ones!
It has a sweet and irresistible scent that is both refreshing and pleasant, some have said that it is the best flower scent in the wild. No wonder, it has been used for perfumes by Christian Dior as it was his favorite flower.
Where does Lily of the valley come from?
Lily of the valley is native to Northern Hemisphere of Asia and Europe and it can also be found through parts of North America.
It prefers a cooler climate. It often forms extensive colonies by spreading underground stems. New upright shoots are formed at the ends of stolons in summer, these upright dormant stems are often called pips. Flowering stems have two leaves and a raceme of five to fifteen flowers on the stem apex.