Climbing Ivy (Hedera helix)

A creeping perennial herb that grows 15 to 60 cm ; common in the British Isles, western Europe, North Asia and Japan.

Parts used:

Herb

Botany

A creeping perennial herb that grows 15 to 60 cm ; common in the British Isles, western Europe, North Asia and Japan.

Constituents

Contains sesquiterpenes (glechomafuran), flavonoids (cymaroside and cosmosyin) as well as volatile oils (pinocarvone, menthone and pulegone). Other constituents: rosmarinic acid.

Possible Interactions

Herbs - None documented. Drugs - None known

Comments

Ground ivy has a long history of use in alternative medicine and as an edible herb, dating back to the first century A.D. A source of phytonutrients such as flavonoids and terpenoids, it has traditionally been used for supporting patients with bronchitis. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity has been reported in addition to astringent activity both attributed to rosmarinic acid and flavonoid presence. Ground ivy is also a rich source of potassium and iron.

➥ Pharmacopoeia and Other Monographs

BHP 1996, BHC 1992