Traditional folk medicine used English ivy internally for liver, spleen and gallbladder disorders, and for gout, arthritis, rheumatism and dysentery. Externally it was used for burn wounds, calluses, cellulitis, inflammations, neuralgia, parasitic disorders, ulcers, rheumatic complaints and phlebitis.

English ivy is most widely used today as a natural treatment for respiratory tract congestion; it is a respiratory catarrh used for symptomatic treatment of chronic inflammatory bronchial conditions.

The herb contains saponins which appear to be responsible for preventing spasms in the bronchial area.

It has been shown that ivy leaf extracts helps to increase oxygen in the lungs, and is an effective anti-inflammatory for bronchial conditions such as asthma and bronchitis

Commission E, a prestigious medical group in Germany approved ivy leaf extract as an herbal decongestant as well as treatment for inflammation-related lung (bronchial) conditions.

English ivy exhibits antiviral, antimycotic, and anthelmintic and effects and some studies indicate that the leaf extract may have anti-cancer and antioxidant properties.

Folk medicine used ivy leaf poultices externally as a treatment for swollen glands and chronic leg ulcers and topical decoctions have been used as a natural treatment for scabies, lice, and sunburn.

Dosage and Administration

Tincture: 40-50 drops daily as single doses of 5-10 drops.

Tea: 1 heaped teaspoonful to 0.25 liters hot water; steep the mixture for ten minutes; tea and other infusions may be taken 3 times daily.

Poultice: Mix fresh ivy leaves 1:3 with linseed meal.

Infusion: 1 heaping teaspoonful to ¼ cup boiling water and steep for ten minutes.

Botanical name: Herdera helix
aka: Common ivy, true ivy, gum ivy, woodbine, winter-green, winter-grunt, kissos, bergflétta, plural ivies
Origin: USA
Notes: Kosher Certified. Non-irradiated. Non-GMO.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
* FDA disclaimer

References:
Herbal Resource

Photo Source CC BY-SA 3.0