Evidence supporting the use of: English Ivy
For the health condition: Cough (general)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

English Ivy (Hedera helix) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for respiratory conditions, including cough. In recent years, its use has been supported by several scientific studies. The active compounds in English Ivy, particularly saponins such as alpha-hederin, are thought to have expectorant, bronchodilatory, and anti-inflammatory effects. Clinical trials, primarily conducted in Europe, have examined standardized ivy leaf extracts (often as syrups or drops) in both children and adults with acute or chronic cough due to upper respiratory tract infections or bronchitis.

Several randomized controlled trials and observational studies indicate that English Ivy extract can modestly improve cough frequency and severity compared to placebo, especially in mild to moderate cases. Systematic reviews (including a 2017 Cochrane review) conclude that while some evidence supports its efficacy, the overall quality of the evidence is low to moderate due to methodological limitations and heterogeneity among studies. English Ivy is generally considered safe when used appropriately, though mild gastrointestinal side effects may occur.

In summary, the use of English Ivy to support or treat general cough is justified by both traditional use and a moderate degree of scientific evidence. However, more high-quality, large-scale studies are needed to confirm its clinical benefit and to better define its role in cough management.

More about English Ivy
More about Cough (general)

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Products containing English Ivy

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.