The systematic name of the organic compound convallatoxin is as follows: (1 R,3a S,3b R,5a S,7 S,9a S,9b S,11a R)-3a,5a-dihydroxy-11a-methyl-1-(5-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-3-yl)-7-hexadecahydro-9a H-cyclopentaphenanthrene-9a-carbaldehyde. This made the plant, and its compound convallatoxin, quite well known by the general public as fatal. In 2011, the lily of the valley was used in the US television show Breaking Bad. It is mostly administered because it strengthens the heartbeat, while also slowing and regulating the heart rate. Convallatoxin has a similar therapeutic target and effect as digitalis, so it was used by medieval herbalists as a substitute for foxglove in treatment. Lily of the valley has indeed been used medicinally to treat illness, all going back to medieval times. Legend says that Apollo gave this plant to Asclepios, the Greek god of healing.

Convallatoxin is a glycoside extracted from Convallaria majalis.Ĭonvallatoxin is a natural cardiac glycoside that can be found, among others, in the plant lily of the valley ( Convallaria majalis).

Lily of the valley poison antidote