English Ivy

English ivy is a vine. The leaves are used to make medicine.

People most commonly take English ivy for cough and other lung problems; however there is not enough evidence to know if English ivy helps.

English ivy might stimulate mucus glands and have expectorant properties. This might improve lung function in people with breathing difficulty due to swelling and blockage of airway passages. English ivy might also have antioxidant effects.

Cough syrup (Prospan; Panoto-s; Athos; Abrilar) containing English ivy leaf extract is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth three times daily for 1 week. English ivy leaf might cause skin irritation when taken by mouth. English ivy leaf extract might cause mild stomach problems.

Not enough is known about the safety of applying English ivy to the skin. In some people, contact with English ivy leaf might cause allergic skin reactions. But this is fairly uncommon.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

The appropriate dose of English ivy depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for English ivy. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Common Ivy, Gum Ivy, Hedera helix, Hedera taurica, Hederae Helicis Folium, Herbes à Cors, Hiedra Común, Ivy, Lierre, Lierre Commun, Lierre Grimpant, True Ivy, Woodbind.

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