History

Madonna lily, sometimes referred to as St. Anthony’s lily, carries the scientific name of Lilium candidum. It should not be confused with Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum) whose flowers are somewhat similar in appearance. As its scientific name suggests, Madonna lily is a member of the Liliaceae plant family and thought to be native to the Balkins and Middle East. Its flowers are depicted on paintings made by the Minoic people, a Bronze Age civilization which inhabited the island of Crete as well as other Aegean Islands. Because of its early cultivation, it can be found naturalized over much of southern Europe, Ukraine, North Africa, the Canary Islands and even into the New World.

As mentioned above, later in its cultivation, Madonna lily was used for its medicinal properties as well as for its ornamental appeal. The Egyptians crushed the bulbs of Madonna lily and used the ointment as a treatment for inflammation, burns and tumors. Later, Greek physician and herbalist Dioscurides reportedly used it to treat diseases of women. Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder continued its use for the purpose. Additionally, Romans are said to have used the extract of steeped Madonna lily bulbs to care for sore feet.

Additional to its aesthetic and medicinal use, Madonna lily held a special place in spiritual symbolism. The Roman Catholic church has long considered the lily as a symbol of purity. Medieval artworks often depict the Virgin Mary holding, or near, flowers of what, undoubtedly, is Lilium candidum. Clovis I, king of the Franks, upon his conversion to Christianity, is said to have been given a lily from heaven by the Virgin Mary. In France, today, lilies still symbolize power derived from God. Indeed, the fleur-de-lis (literally “lily flower”) emblem widely used in French architecture, heraldry, etc. is thought to be a stylized lily.

Source:  https://ipm.missouri.edu/meg/2020/8/madonnaLily-DT/

• Burns
• Ulcers
• Inflamatory issues
• Wounds