Naturopathy

Ivy or hedera helix

Synonyms

Of the ivy has the Latin name Hedera helix. He will too Vine ivy, wintergreen, wall ivy, eppich, dead tendril and Tree shrike called.

Synonyms in a broader sense
Medicinal plant, medicinal herb, herbal medicine, phytotherapy

Definition ivy

Of the ivy comes from the Araliceae family and has the Latin name hedera helix.
It climbs up walls and tree trunks with its adhesive roots, branches out and becomes a woody liana. The medicinal plant ivy can reach a length of three to 20 m.
Ivy gets its water and food from the roots in the ground. The branched trunk of the ivy has evergreen, leathery-glossy leaves that are three to five angularly lobed. In older plants, however, the shape of the leaves sometimes changes.
The green-yellow inflorescences have spherical umbels and form dense clusters.
The poisonous fruits the medicinal plant ivy are red-violet to black and eight to 10 mm thick. The flowering period is from September to December. Ivy leaves are collected from spring to autumn.

Hedera helix in homeopathy

Ivy (Hedera helix) is also often used in homeopathy Rheumatoid arthritis and enlarged thyroid applied.
We have written a completely separate topic for this: You can find more about this under our topic: Hedera helix

history

The Medicinal plant Ivy is an ancient cultivated plant and the only Central European vine. The name Hedera comes from the Greek and is traced back to clasping. The Germanic meaning "iwe" like eternal point to the evergreen leaves. The Egyptians considered ivy a sacred plant. In ancient Greece, ivy was dedicated to the wine god Dionysus. In the herbal books from the 16th and 17th centuries, many diseases such as gout, fever, constipation, skin disorders and cartarrh were treated with the medicinal plant ivy. Even Hippocrates and Dioscurides recommended ivy as a remedy. Today, ivy leaves are mainly used to treat bronchial diseases.

Summary

The Medicinal plant ivy is an up to 20 m long evergreen climbing plant that climbs to house walls or wraps old trees.
He was considered as Symbol of love beyond death. Already in the Antiquity the ivy was used as a medicinal plant. It is growing all over Europe. The medicinal plant ivy is imported from Eastern European countries.
We produce ivy products in the Conventional medicine as in the Folk medicine applied.
They are used medicinally dried leaves and their preparations in aqueous-alcoholic dry extracts.

Manufacturing

The dried leaves of the non-blooming ivy are used medicinally.Mainly aqueous-alcoholic dry extracts are produced.
From a pharmacological point of view, the ivy leaves contain effective ingredients such as Flavonoids, triterpene saponins, sterols, polyins and essential oils. The extracts obtained from the ivy leaves are contained in many juices, drops or suppositories.
The ivy is considered poisonous. A larger amount of leaves, as well as a small amount of fruit, can be taken by mouth

Vomit
cramps and
diarrhea

trigger!

Therapy - application - effect

The medical effectiveness of preparations Ivy leaves Dry extracts have been proven in many scientific studies.
The applications of the Medicinal plant ivy become at Respiratory infections especially at chronic bronchial diseases recommended.
The healing properties come mainly from the ivy leaves. Those contained in the leaves Saponinsthat the Liquify mucus, contribute to healing.
The hederasaponins and some flavonoids work antispasmodic. In animal experiments, ivy leaf extracts prevented inflammation.
The use of ivy juice is particularly suitable for children. There are many dosage forms available on the market especially for children. Drops, suppositories or coated tablets made from ivy leaf extracts have an analgesic, antispasmodic and expectorant effect on the bronchi.
The medicinal plant ivy can also prevent the storage of water in the tissue (medicinally Edema) Reduce.
For this reason, the Cellulite treatment (Orange peel) Ivy extracts are used. You can also find ivy extracts in the Folk medicine Use.
Inwardly, they are at

liver
spleen
Gallstones
Gout and
rheumatism

used.

Ivy extracts are used externally in folk medicine

Ulcers
Burns
Parasites (Lice)
Phlebitis and
Cellulite.

Ivy is poisonous!

All parts of the fresh ivy plant are poisonous! Especially the black ivy fruits.
The consumption of ivy berries and ivy leaves can lead to poisoning !!!

Side effect and interaction

Preparations made from ivy leaves can Allergies trigger.
After dosing the ivy extract according to the instructions, only a few side effects are to be expected. The ivy extracts can be overdosed

nausea
Diarrhea and
a headache

arise. Only alcoholic-aqueous extracts but none of the ivy Efeutee.
Please always consult your doctor before taking ivy extracts !! Preparations of the medicinal herb ivy should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Administration and dosage

Ivy preparations are only offered in ready-to-use form. They consist of aqueous-alcoholic dry extracts. In addition to solid forms such as effervescent tablets, tablets and suppositories, liquid preparations such as drops or juice for the treatment of respiratory diseases, especially in children, can be obtained from pharmacies.
Drops containing alcohol have to be dosed a little lower than alcohol-free juices. Ivy preparations can also be found in cosmetic creams for the treatment of orange peel (cellulite).