English Ivy (Hedera Helix) has been used for centuries in English gardens. It’s also known as “Creeping Jenny.”
English ivy is not actually native to England, and it was brought from the Mediterranean region by English gardeners during medieval times. It grows well in shade or light, so it can be grown indoors without difficulty.
The leaves of this hardy perennial are glossy green and heart-shaped with pointed tips; its berries are dark blue to black.
English ivy has long been believed to have medicinal properties because of its ability to cure respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma when taken internally or inhaled as steam vapor from boiled water poured over the dried leaves.
Contents
Common Names
The common name of the plant is common Ivy, English ivy, European Ivy, Hibernia, or just Ivy.
Habitat
English Ivy (Hedera helix) is native to Europe and western Asia. It has been introduced in North America from England during the 1800s for its ornamental purpose.
It can grow on trees or other surfaces such as walls and rocks when it’s not restricted by a pot. And it prefers moist soil but tolerates drought conditions with adequate moisture.
Description
English Ivy is a climbing, trailing vine that can grow up to 20–30 m in length. The plant has long stems that may grow up walls and fences.
They can spread themselves along branches and tops of trees too. This makes them perfect if you want privacy while also getting shade over your garden area. They produce small flowers before producing berries called ‘hips.’
The leaves are dark green with a white underside that turns red in wintertime. The leaves are shiny and heart-shaped with pointed tips.
English ivy has an evergreen leaf which means it never loses its color during cold weather. This vine does well indoors, too, because it tolerates low light levels and dry air easily.
Part Used
English Ivy leaves are used internally as well as externally for relief from rheumatic pain.”
Traditional Uses and Benefits
The English Ivy has various uses, including being used as ground cover, for cold protection such as windbreaks or to keep out snowdrifts during winter months by protecting the harsh weather, or simply as an ornamental plant that provides beauty.
English ivy has been used to treat coughs, bronchitis, and spasmodic asthma for centuries. It is a rich source of flavonoids, which have natural antibiotic properties that can help relieve the symptoms of these conditions.
Ivy also contains sedative substances called tannins that provide relief from coughing spells by relaxing the muscles around the throat.
English Ivy extract has been shown to reduce inflammation and joint pain in arthritis patients.
English Ivy is an effective allergy remedy. It has natural medicinal properties that can be put into lotions for skin irritations and creams for hemorrhoids—making this plant an excellent all-around treatment when you’re dealing with seasonal allergies!
Toxin Removal: This medicinal plant is an excellent detoxifier, and the leaves contain compounds called saponins, which can help rid your body of toxins.
Blood Pressure Management: English Ivy’s ability to reduce blood pressure may make it a good choice for people with hypertension or high cholesterol levels who are looking for natural solutions.
Cancer Prevention: The plant contains chemicals called chalones, which have been shown to inhibit tumor growth in lab animals.
Pain Relief/Stomach Issues: This plant also assists digestion by increasing stomach acid production and relieving gas pains when taken as a tea or steeped in water overnight before drinking.
English ivy contains a high amount of antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation in the body. Ivy is also an anti-inflammatory agent and may have antioxidant properties that could prove beneficial to people with chronic inflammatory diseases like arthritis or asthma.
English ivy has been used for centuries as a remedy for digestive disorders, such as colic and stomach pain.
It has been found to inhibit tumor growth in mammals. It also contains compounds that may be useful for preventing cancer, such as caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid.
English Ivy has a combination of antifungal and antiviral properties. It is rich in oils that have been found to kill Candida albicans, the bacteria responsible for yeast infections.
English Ivy also helps with general skin health: English ivy contains antibacterial components that help fight acne and other conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
English ivy contains terpenes and saponins that have been shown in laboratory studies to protect the liver from toxins.
How To Prepare English Ivy Infusion
Take two tablespoons of dried leaves
Pour boiling water over the Hedera helix dry plant material to make enough room on top of the leaves. Cover with lid until cool.
Add English ivy infusion to a pot of boiling water and simmer for 20 minutes.
Remove from heat, strain the liquid into teacups, then add honey or lemon.
Dosage and Precautions
English Ivy is taken in the form of a tincture. Start with a dosage of 5-10 drops three times per day and increase until desired results are achieved.
This medicinal plant is generally considered safe to ingest when taken as directed or at low dosages (1/4 teaspoon).
It can be mixed into water, juice, or tea without ill effect. Avoid using, if suffering from any digestive tract disorders, especially Crohn’s disease. Pregnant women should avoid frequent ingestion.
English ivy may cause an allergic reaction or skin irritation in some people. It is a toxic plant to pets, so take care to keep it out of reach of your family pet as well.
References
- English ivy invasive. https://strike1recruitment.com.au/shasta-daisy-xnbo/english-ivy-invasive-0fbfe1
- The Health Benefits of Ivy Leaf https://www.verywellhealth.com/ivy-leaf-4691133
- Hederae Helicis FoliaAdding Health to your Life naturally …. https://www.erba-albania.com/services/hederae-helicis-folia/
- Plant Care & Growing Guide. https://www.thespruce.com/grow-english-ivy-1902763
- 11 Amazing EnglishIvy Benefits and Facts | Balcony Garden Web. https://balconygardenweb.com/english-ivy-benefits-and-facts/
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DISCLAIMER
The content and information on newerapost for information and educational purposes only. It is not for self-diagnosis and self-treatment. The content is not a medical manual. Before beginning the use of any prescription, medication and pursuing any self-treatment, all readers should consult a physician.
The information given in this article is intended to help you make informed decisions for your health. You must consult with your doctor before pursuing any natural remedies if you are under care for any health condition.
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