What is the effect of ivy?
Ivy (Hedera helix) has an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. The ivy leaves (Hedera helicis folium) are used medicinally. Among other things, they contain secondary plant substances, specifically saponins and flavonoids.
A specific triterpene saponin, hedera saponin C (hederacoside C), is metabolized in the body to form the pharmacologically active alpha-hederin. It contributes to the antispasmodic, mucolytic and expectorant effect of the medicinal plant.
Ivy has this effect:
- secretion-dissolving
- calming
- antispasmodic
- antiviral
- antibiotic
- anti-inflammatory
Ivy can relieve coughs in particular if an excessive amount of viscous mucus is secreted.
All parts of ivy are poisonous to humans. Only small quantities are used in medicine.
Areas of application of ivy
The medicinal plant is used to treat inflammation of the airways and symptoms of chronic inflammatory bronchial diseases, such as
- coughs caused by colds
- Acute and chronic bronchitis
- whooping cough
- dry cough
Folk medicine has many other uses for ivy. Applied externally, the medicinal plant is said to help with skin diseases and skin complaints such as ulcers and cellulite.
How is ivy used?
Ivy is available, for example, in the form of soluble instant teas, drops, cough syrup, tablets and effervescent tablets. It makes sense to combine it with other plants such as thyme or primrose root. These plants are therefore added to many ivy preparations. For example, there are ivy-thyme preparations that help against coughs.
Tea infusions made from ivy leaves are not commonly used and are not recommended.
In general, standardized ivy preparations provide for a daily dose of 0.3 grams of medicinal drug. Doses of up to 0.8 grams of drug per day are usually well tolerated.
When using and dosing ivy preparations, however, follow the instructions on the package leaflet or the recommendations of your doctor or pharmacist.
Home remedies based on medicinal plants have their limits. If your symptoms persist over a longer period of time and do not improve or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
What side effects can ivy cause?
High doses of ivy preparations can cause stomach problems, nausea and vomiting in sensitive people.
Fresh ivy leaves and the leaf juice can trigger allergic reactions on contact with the skin.
What you should bear in mind when using ivy
The ingredients of ivy are available in both alcohol-containing and alcohol-free finished medicinal products, although alcohol-free products are recommended for children.
There are no safety studies available for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is therefore better to avoid ivy preparations during these phases of life.
Ivy preparations are also unsuitable for children under the age of two because they could aggravate respiratory symptoms. Children between the ages of two and four should only use such preparations on medical advice.
If fever, shortness of breath or bloody sputum occur with respiratory illnesses, always consult your doctor.
How to obtain ivy products
A wide variety of ivy preparations such as cough syrup, tablets and drops are available in pharmacies and drugstores. Discuss the type and duration of use as well as possible interactions in combination with chemical preparations with your doctor or pharmacist.
What is ivy?
Ivy (Hedera helix) belongs to the Araliaceae family. It is widespread throughout Europe and is now found in many cultivated and garden forms.
The leaves on flowering shoots, on the other hand, are diamond-shaped to lanceolate and long-pointed. During the flowering period, the inconspicuous, greenish-yellow ivy flowers appear in spherical inflorescences. They develop into pea-sized, blue-black berries. Like the leaves, they are slightly poisonous.
Ivy got its Latin name because of its adhesive roots: The Greek word “hedra” means “to sit” – a reference to the plant’s clinging to walls and trees. The species name “helix” (Greek = twisted) also explains the plant’s upward-twining characteristic.
