June 16, 2004 – Climbing ivy, a plant which has the property of reducing inflammation of the airways, may help relieve children with chronic bronchitis due to asthma.
German researchers1 analyzed three clinical studies that investigated the effectiveness of climbing ivy in reducing the symptoms of this condition in children. In the context of each of this research, a phytotherapeutic product2 was administered to young patients.
The first was a double-blind study in which 24 boys and girls aged 4 to 12 took drops made from dried ivy leaf extract. At the same time, placebo drops were administered to a control group. After three days, the researchers noted a significant unblocking of the airways in the children who received the natural remedy, while those treated with the placebo saw no noticeable improvement.
The second study was intended to be comparative. The 26 boys and girls aged 4 to 12 who took part were given either drops or suppositories containing dried ivy leaf extract. Three days after starting treatment, participants were breathing better; the effectiveness of drops and suppositories was comparable.
In the third study, we compared the effect of the same drops with that of a syrup made from dried ivy leaves, on 25 boys and girls aged 10 to 16 years. In this case, it took 10 days before the airways of the youngsters started to clear. Although they took longer to work, both the drops and the syrup had a similar positive effect on the symptoms.
The German researchers conclude that the analyzed clinical trials indicate that preparations made from dried ivy leaves improve respiratory function in children with inflammation of the airways due to asthmatic bronchitis. However, since only one study included a control group, they believe that more research is needed to establish its specific effectiveness.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
From HerbalGram no 62
1. Hofmann D, Hecker M, Volp A, Efficacity of dry extract of ivy leaves in children with bronchial asthma – a review of randomized controlled trials, Phytomedicine, Vol 10, No 2, 213-20.
2. Prospan, a German product containing 35 mg of a dried ivy leaf extract.
