Ivy (Hedera helix L.), also known as English ivy, is an evergreen climbing plant native to western, central and southern Europe. It has been used medically since ancient times and is now prescribed for the symptomatic treatment of respiratory diseases. Ivy leaf extract may be helpful in conditions of asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, upper respiratory diseases, and inflammation and may even have a role to play in arthritis.
The main role therapeutically is it may help with the relief of upper-respiratory symptoms of cough and inflammation of the nose, throat and lungs with excess mucus (catarrh).
Properties of Ivy
The leaf of the ivy plant contains many medicinal properties making it useful in many upper respiratory and other conditions. These actions include:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Antimicrobial
- Antioxidant
Many of these actions are due to key components - triterpenoid saponins, alkaloids (emetine) and flavonoids. These constituents have been researched for their activity in alleviating symptoms.
Ivy leaf may be used for symptom relief of:
- chesty/bronchial coughs
- convulsive coughing and help
- improve respiratory function
- Acute and chronic obstructive airway diseases. Ivy leaf extract may help alleviate the symptoms of acute and chronic obstructive airway diseases such as mucus production and coughing.
- Asthma. Ivy leaf extract was shown to improve respiratory function in children with bronchial asthma. Other studies have suggested combining ivy leaf extract with regular inhaled corticosteroid therapy may help children with mild persistent, uncontrolled asthma.
- Bronchitis. Studies have shown that ivy leaf extract is effective and safe in the treatment of bronchitis in both adults and children.
- Bronchitis is usually a self-limiting disease that is not helped by antibiotics (unless infection is present). Symptomatic treatment can offer relief and aid recovery. In studies, Ivy leaf EA 575 has been shown to work equal to acetylcysteine, but with better tolerability, in its mucolytic action; beneficial in its ability to reduce coughing spasms; improved expectorant action; improved breathing and in the severity of disease. Other reported improvements included less chest pain, coughing intensity and sleep.
- Arthritis. Ivy leaf may offer a useful alternative for conditions of inflammation and arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiarthritic properties. Further studies need to be performed.
Other conditions where ivy has been traditionally used or may be of some benefit include:
- Liver, gallbladder and spleen conditions
- Joint pain, swelling and gout
- Nerve pain
- Wounds, ulcers, skin infections and warts (topical use)
- Parasites.
Many traditional uses have not yet been confirmed by current research.
In summary, ivy leaf can be useful in upper respiratory health conditions due to its ability to:
- Thins mucus in the airways
- Loosens mucus making it easier to remove from the lungs
- Calms coughs.
Ivy leaf is available on its own or combined with other cough and cold-relieving medications.
It is available in syrup, drops or lozenge form and may also help with other conditions of the upper respiratory system such as sinusitis and allergy. Ivy leaf can be used by children as an adjunct to other specific therapies or by itself. Please follow the recommended guidelines for dosage.
Prospan, made by Flordis, contains a specific extract of ivy leaf - Hedera helix (EA 575®), which has been extensively researched, and many of the studies performed have used Hedera helix EA 575®.
Cautions and contraindications
- Like any herbal preparations, ivy may cause allergic reactions.
- Ivy leaf is not recommended in pregnancy due to the alkaloid emetine, which may cause uterine contractions.
- There are no known medicinal interactions, but advice should be sought from a healthcare professional before taking ivy leaf.
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References:
- Schulte-Michels, J., Keksel, C., Häberlein, H., & Franken, S. (2018). Anti-inflammatory effects of ivy leaves dry extract: influence on transcriptional activity of NFκB. Inflammopharmacology, 27(2), 339–347. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6482290/
- Sierocinski, E., Holzinger, F., & Chenot, J.-F. (2021). Ivy leaf (Hedera helix) for acute upper respiratory tract infections: an updated systematic review. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8275562/
- Lang, C., Röttger-Lüer, P., & Staiger, C. (2015). A Valuable Option for the Treatment of Respiratory Diseases: Review on the Clinical Evidence of the Ivy Leaves Dry Extract EA 575®. Planta Medica, 81(12/13), 968–974. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25875509/
- Song, J.-H., Yeo, S.-G., Eock Kee Hong, Lee, B., Kim, J.-W., Kim, J., Jeong, H., Kwon, Y.-S., Kim, H., Lee, S.-W., Park, J.-H., & Ko, H.-J. (2014). Antiviral Activity of Hederasaponin B from Hedera helix against Enterovirus 71 Subgenotypes C3 and C4a. 22(1), 41–46. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24596620/
- Hofmann, D., Hecker, M., & Völp, A. (2003). Efficacy of dry extract of ivy leaves in children with bronchial asthma – a review of randomized controlled trials. Phytomedicine, 10(2-3), 213–220. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12725580/
- Hong, G., Kim, Y.-I., Seoung Ju Park, Sung Yong Lee, Jin Woo Kim, Seong Hoon Yoon, Keu Sung Lee, Min Kwang Byun, Kim, H.-R., & Chung, J. (2021). Effects of a Mixture of Ivy Leaf Extract and Coptidis rhizome on Patients with Chronic Bronchitis and Bronchiectasis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8), 4024–4024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33921227/
- Hecker, M. T., Runkel, F., & A. Voelp. (2002). Behandlung chronischer Bronchitis mit einem Spezialextrakt aus Efeublättern – multizentrische Anwendungsbeobachtung mit 1350 Patienten. Complementary Medicine Research, 9(2), 77–84. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12006725/
- https://www.prospan.com.au/ivy-leaf/
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