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Hedera helix (ivy)
Known for its medicinal uses since ancient times, ivy is a widespread climbing plant that grows up trees and walls with the help of holdfasts. So-called Common Ivy grows wild or can be cultivated in woodlands, gardens or parks. While the dark-green leaves of the foliage shoots have three to five lobes, the flowering branches are grouped in umbels. Ivy is in bloom with small yellowish green flowers from September to November. The dark blue berries ripen in spring and are poisonous for humans. Ivy leaves can be harvested and dried throughout the year. They contain triterpene saponins as active ingredients, and of these the hedera saponins are the most important. Medical preparations made from ivy leaves help relieve coughing spasms, loosen phlegm and reduce throat irritation that causes coughing. The constituents also have an anti-inflammatory effect and weaken bacteria, fungi, worms and parasitic protozoan. However, they can irritate skin and mucous membranes.
In modern herbal medicine ivy leaves are primarily used to treat inflammation of the nasal passages, so-called catarrh. In cases of non-productive or dry coughs, whooping cough and bronchitis, the extracts can help loosen phlegm and eliminate sputum. They reduce the irritation of the throat causing coughs, ease coughing spasms and relieve inflammation of the mucous membranes. In folk medicine ivy is recommended for the treatment of several other ailments, such as rheumatism or stubborn wounds..
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Stand: 28-08-2008
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