Evidence supporting the use of: Ivy
For the health condition: Congestion (sinus)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Ivy, particularly English ivy (Hedera helix), has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for respiratory ailments, including congestion and cough. Traditionally, preparations made from ivy leaves have been used in Europe for centuries to help relieve symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract conditions, such as sinus congestion and bronchitis. The primary constituents thought to be responsible for these effects are saponins, which may have expectorant properties, helping to thin mucus and make it easier to expel.

However, while there is some scientific evidence supporting the use of ivy leaf extract for productive cough and bronchitis, direct evidence for its effectiveness in treating sinus congestion specifically is limited. Most clinical studies and systematic reviews have focused on its use for bronchial conditions rather than sinus conditions. Despite this, the expectorant action observed in these studies is sometimes extrapolated to sinus congestion by practitioners of traditional medicine.

In summary, the use of ivy for sinus congestion is primarily justified by tradition, with limited scientific validation. The evidence supporting its use in this specific context is modest, and most authoritative sources do not list ivy as a primary treatment for sinus congestion. Caution should also be exercised, as raw ivy can be toxic and only standardized extracts should be used under appropriate guidance.

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Products containing Ivy

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