Ivy

Ivy, an evergreen climbing plant up to 20 m high, is native to Europe. It grows and clings to trees, shrubs or walls by means of its adhesive roots.

The leaf dimorphism is special: all leaves are evergreen. The sterile twigs bear dark green, three- to five-angled lobed leaves with conspicuous veins, while the fertile, fruit-bearing twigs are shiny leathery, light to dark green, with entire margins and pointed tips. The brown flowers are less conspicuous and are arranged in spherical semi-umbrellas like clusters. Flowering time is September/October. The blue-black berries ripen a year later. Caution: Berries can cause symptoms of poisoning in children!

The dried leaves harvested in spring (ivy leaves - Hederae folium) are used phytotherapeutically, although the leaves harvested in summer are now also permitted.
The drug is imported from Eastern European countries.

Naturopathic use: Ivy leaf extracts have expectorant, anti-edematous, antispasmodic and vasodilatory effects. The guideline of the German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine (DGP) makes a strong recommendation for an ivy extract (Prospan®) based on a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Hedera helix is the parent plant of Hedera folium, the ivy leaves. For Hederae folium, monographs are available from Commission E, ESCOP and HMPC.

Due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, ivy extracts are also used in medicinal ointments, shampoos and tinctures as well as in natural cosmetics. Used in folk medicine for whooping cough, bronchitis and eczema disorders. Commonly used rubefacient (skin irritant effect).

Cosmetic use: In cosmetics, Hedera helix is used as an aqueous or alcoholic extract of ivy leaves.

All parts of the plant contain saponins of the triterpene type (hederin, hedera saponin B and C etc). The main allergen of common ivy is falcarinol (polyins). Sensitizing potency: Medium. Frequency of sensitization: Occasional.

In individual cases allergic contact dermatitis.

Note! Falcarinol is contained in other plant species of the Araliaceae family, e.g. Scheflera species such as ginseng or carrot or celery root.

The reactivity exists towards falcarinol; therefore no real cross-reactions are to be assumed. Ivy extract is primarily irritant. The majority of cases of dermatitis are irritant contact dermatitis.

Prospan® Cough Syrup, Prospan® Cough Liquid, Prospan® Cough Suppositories

Hedera helix is the parent plant of Hedera folium, the ivy leaves. There are monographs for Hederae folium from Commission E, ESCOP and HMPC.

1. Kardos P et al (2019) Guideline of the German Society of Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine on the diagnosis and treatment of adult patients with cough. Pneumology 10
2. https://www.awmf.org/uploads/tx_szleitlinien/020-003l_S2k_Diagnostik-Therapie-erwachsene-Patienten-mit-Husten_2019-12.pdf
3. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/efeu.php
4. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-hedera-helix-l-folium-revision-2_en.pdf

5. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 97-98