Key Constituents

Triterpene saponins (hederacoside C, alpha-hederin)^{[4, 5]}

The secretolytic and antispasmodic active constituents; extracts are standardised to them.

Triterpene saponinsTerpenes / terpenoidsSaponins

Flavonoids and phenolic acids^[4]

Antioxidant supporting constituents.

Phenolic acidsFlavonoids

Pharmacological Actions

Antispasmodic^[4]

Antispasmodic / bronchodilatory - eases coughing fits and breathlessness

Bronchodilator / anti-asthmatic^[4]

Antispasmodic / bronchodilatory - eases coughing fits and breathlessness

Expectorant^{[4, 5, 6]}

Expectorant / secretolytic for productive cough and acute bronchitis (loosens and helps clear mucus)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Asthma^[4]Limited · 3/10

inferred from bronchodilator action

more plants for asthma →detailed sources →

Bronchitis^{[4, 5, 6]}Good · 7/10

Expectorant / secretolytic for productive cough and acute bronchitis (loosens and helps clear mucus)

more plants for bronchitis →detailed sources →

Cough^{[4, 5, 6]}Good · 7/10

Expectorant / secretolytic for productive cough and acute bronchitis (loosens and helps clear mucus)

more plants for cough →detailed sources →

Menstrual cramps^[4]Limited · 3/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →

Muscle spasm^[4]Limited · 3/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

more plants for muscle spasm →detailed sources →

Respiratory support^{[4, 5, 6]}Good · 7/10

inferred from expectorant action

more plants for respiratory support →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^[4]Info

Generally well tolerated; occasional gastrointestinal upset or, rarely, allergic reaction. Use only standardised extract products - the fresh raw plant contains irritant saponins and falcarinol that can cause contact dermatitis.

Safety note^[4]Caution

A cough lasting more than a week, or with fever, breathlessness or purulent sputum, needs medical assessment. Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established.

References

REF-0833, REF-0834, REF-0835

References & Sources

Sierocinski, E., Holzinger, F. and Chenot, J.F (2021) 'Ivy leaf (Hedera helix) for acute upper respiratory tract infections: an updated systematic review', European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 77(8), pp. 1113-1122. doi:10.1007/s00228-021-03090-4 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-021-03090-4
Baharara, H., Moghadam, A.T., Sahebkar, A., Emami, S.A. et al (2021) 'The Effects of Ivy (Hedera helix) on Respiratory Problems and Cough in Humans: A Review', Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1328, pp. 361-376. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-73234-9_23 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73234-9_23
Song, K.J., Shin, Y.J., Lee, K.R., Lee, E.J. et al (2015) 'Expectorant and antitussive effect of Hedera helix and Rhizoma coptidis extracts mixture', Yonsei Medical Journal, 56(3), pp. 819-824. doi:10.3349/ymj.2015.56.3.819 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2015.56.3.819
Kruttschnitt, E., Wegener, T., Zahner, C. and Henzen-Bucking, S (2020) 'Assessment of the Efficacy and Safety of Ivy Leaf Cough Syrup Compared with Acetylcysteine in Adults and Children with Acute Bronchitis', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. doi:10.1155/2020/1910656 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1910656
Schonknecht, K., Fal, A.M., Mastalerz-Migas, A., Joachimiak, M. and Doniec, Z (2017) 'Efficacy of dry extract of ivy leaves in the treatment of productive cough', Wiadomosci Lekarskie. Randomized trial
Find this source
Schaefer, A., Kehr, M.S., Giannetti, B.M., Bulitta, M. and Staiger, C (2016) 'A randomized, controlled, double-blind, multi-center trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a liquid containing ivy leaves dry extract (EA 575) vs. placebo in the treatment of adults with acute cough', Die Pharmazie, 71(9), pp. 504--509. doi:10.1691/ph.2016.6712 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1691/ph.2016.6712

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