The ivy (Hedera helix) was already used in ancient times – especially as a painkiller. In addition, the evergreen plant was considered an emblem of life and in art as a plant of the Muses – poets crowned with ivy testify to this. In 2010, ivy was named medicinal plant of the year. Probably everyone knows ivy, which climbs up walls and trees with its strong shoots or creeps along the forest floor. Gloomy concrete does not deter it any more than the dark winter months – and its yellow to dark green foliage dabs a little color into the gray everywhere. Its healing properties, on the other hand, are less well known. This meaning is most likely to be familiar to parents, who give their offspring ivy juice against cough attacks at cold time.
Effects of ivy
In ancient times, the leaves, fruits and roots of ivy were used internally and externally for earaches, headaches, toothaches, gout, spleen complaints, menstrual cramps, lung ailments, fevers and burns. Today, the healing extract from its leaves is used. Its effectiveness has now also been proven by studies. Ivy owes its healing power to the so-called saponins, which get their name from the fact that they can form soap-like foam (Latin sapo = soap). They liquefy and loosen mucus, but also have an antispasmodic and germ-destroying effect. Ivy is therefore used for acute and chronic inflammations and diseases of the respiratory tract and for whooping cough. Ivy is also used in homeopathy. Incidentally, the saponins are also contained in licorice and cowslip – which are therefore often added to cold teas.
Risks of ivy
However, ivy has not only healing effects, but also downsides: For example, fresh leaves and their sap can cause allergic reactions on the skin. In addition, the berry fruits of the plant are poisonous, especially for children. Their consumption can cause nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Also for this reason, ivy should be used only in the ready-prepared form from the pharmacy.
Ivy in history
Where the ivy got its German name is not clear. Probably the first part goes back to an old root word like “ebah” or “ifig”, meaning “climber”. The second part of the word was probably formed from “hay”, a term that also means “foliage”. So in Old High German compounded something like “ep-höu” – climbing foliage. The origin of the botanical name Hedera helix, on the other hand, is easier to determine: In Greek, “hédra” means seat, and heli derives from the verb “helissein” meaning to twist, turn. The ivy attaches itself to the tree by twining.
Ivy as a cultivated plant
Especially in Europe, the ivy plant has a long tradition – not so much as a medicinal plant, but as a cultivated plant. As an evergreen plant, it stood for eternal life and the immortality of the soul, for love and fidelity; bridal couples received ivy branches as a symbol of their everlasting covenant of fidelity. In Egypt and Greece, its eternal presence was consecrated to certain deities (Osiris and Dionysus, respectively). In Christianity, tombs and churches were decorated with ivy vines made of wood or stone – to be admired, for example, in the Altenburg Cathedral or the cathedral in Reims.
Medicinal plant of the year
Since 1999, a medicinal plant of the year is chosen, which should have not only a proven healing effect, but also an interesting cultural and medical history. The following plants have received this award so far:
- 1999: Buckwheat
- 2001: Arnica
- 2002: Stinging butcher’s broom
- 2003: Artichoke
- 2004: Peppermint
- 2005: Medicinal pumpkin
- 2006: Thyme
- 2007: Hops
- 2008: Common horse chestnut
- 2009: Fennel
- 2010: Ivy
- 2011: Passion flower
- 2012: Licorice
- 2013: Nasturtium
- 2014: Ribwort
- 2015: St. John’s wort
- 2016: True caraway
