276 /ENGLISH IVY PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESFlower and Fruit: The inflorescences are greenish-yellow
umbels, which form dense, semi-globular clusters. The calyx
tips are short, almost triangular, tomentose and drooping.
The 5 petals are oblong and slightly involute. There are 5
stamens and 1 inferior ovary with 5 valves. The style is fused
into a column. The fruit is a globular, usually 5-valved berry,
which becomes black and ripens in spring. It contains 3 to 5
reniform, triangular, acute seeds, which are reddish-violet
when young, later dark brown, and finally black.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is an evergreen perennial,
which creeps or, by means of adventitious roots, climbs to a
length of 3 to 15 m. The stem is branched, the leaves are
alternate, petioled, glabrous, glossy, coriaceous. Younger
leaves are 5-lobed; the leaves of older flowering plants are
ovate-rhomboid.
Characteristics: The berries and leaves have a bitter taste.
Habitat: English Ivy is indigenous to the temperate regions
of Europe, and also north and central Asia. It is cultivated in
the U.S.
Production: English Ivy leaf consists of the dried leaves of
Hedera helix.
Other Names: Gum Ivy, True Ivy, Woodbind
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Triterpene saponins: aglycone hederagenin, oleanolic acid,
bayogenin, chief components hederosaponin C (hederacoside
C, slightly transforming into alpha-hederin, aglycone heder-
agenin), additionally hederosaponin B (hederacoside B)
Volatile oils: including some with methylethylketone,
methylisobutylketone
Polyynes: including falcarinol, 11,12-didehydrofalcarinol
Steroids: sterols, including beta-sitosterol, campesterol
Flavonoids: including rutin
EFFECTS
English Ivy is an expectorant and antispasmodic. In animal
experiments, the drug is anti-exudative and cytotoxic.
Hedera saponin C exhibits an antiviral, antibacterial, antimy-
cotic, anthelmintic and mollusicidal, as well as an antiflagel-
late, effect. The fresh leaves are an irritant to the skin and
mucosa and can have an allergenic effect.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Approved by Commission E:
m Cough- Bronchitis
English Ivy is a respiratory catarrh used for the symptomatic
treatment of chronic inflammatory bronchial conditions.
Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, English Ivy is used
internally for liver, spleen and gallbladder disorders and for
gout, rheumatism and scrofulosis. Externally, it is used for
burn wounds, calluses, cellulitis, inflammations, neuralgia,
parasitic disorders, ulcers, rheumatic complaints and
phlebitis.
Homeopathic Uses: English Ivy is administered in homeopa-
thy for rachitic states.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Health risks or sid^ effects following the proper administra-
tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded. The
drug has a medium potential for sensitization through skin
contact.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: English Ivy is available as commi-
nuted drug and other galenic preparations for internal
external use.
How Supplied: Forms of commercial pharmaceutical prepa-
rations include drops, suppositories and tablets.
Preparation: Prepare a tea by adding 1 heaped teaspoonful
of drug to 1/4 liter of hot water and steeping the mixture for
10 minutes. A poultice is prepared by mixing fresh Ivy
leaves 1:3 with linseed meal. To make an infusion, add 1
heaping teaspoonful of drug to one-quarter cup boiling water
and steep for 10 minutes.
Daily Dosage: Tea and other infusions can be taken
internally 3 times daily. The average daily dose is 0.3 to 0.8
g of drug. Fresh leaves may be laid upon festering wounds
and burns; a decoction of fresh leaves (200 gm/liter water)
may be used externally for rheumatism. The daily dose of a
tincture is 40 to 50 drops; single dose: 5 to 10 drops.
Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every
30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);
parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute, 3 times daily; chronic: once
a day (HAB1).
LITERATURE
Balansard G et al., (1980) Planta Med 39:234.
Czygan FC, Hedera helix L. - Der Efeu. In: ZPT 11 (4): 133.
1990.
Elias R et al., JNP 54:98-103. 1991.
Gladtke E, Zur Wirksamkeit eines Efeublatterpraparates
(Prospan).^1 In: Intern Praxis 32(1)187. 1992.
Hansen L, Boll PM, (1986) Phytochemistry 25(2):285.
Julien J et al., (1985) Planta Med (3):205.
Mahran GH et al., (1975) Planta Med 29:127.
Trute A, Gross J, Mutschler E, Nahrstedt A, In vitro
antispasmodic compounds of the dry extract obtained from
Hedera helix. In: PM 63(2): 125-129. 1997.