The world of plants is always rich when it comes to health care, and one of the plants known for its medicinal functions is ivy. With its scientific name Hedera helix this medicinal plant has very green and shiny leaves, and is rich in flavonoids and fatty acids which help in the treatment, mainly, of respiratory diseases.

What you need to know about the ivy plant

Ivy is a known antipyretic, sweating and expectorant plant, which makes it perfect to help treat diseases that affect the lungs, such as colds or pneumonias - in parallel with the conventional treatment indicated by the doctor, of course.

In addition, it also acts as an unblocker of the liver and resolving eczema and other skin problems, such as boils and skin abscesses, and is also anti-cellulite. In other words, the plant can be used in many ways and by many different areas, such as dermatology and gynecology.

With a bitter, cold taste, this plant, when fresh, is quite toxic Therefore, it should not be consumed or used in this way - for this reason, it is also not recommended for those who have animals at home.

Its consumption is recommended only when the plant is already part of the composition of some medicine bought at the pharmacy or in recipes produced in manipulation pharmacies This is because the laboratories do the work of separating the edible components of the plant.

Therefore, it is easy to find ivy in a number of products, ranging from creams against wrinkles and cellulite to cough syrups .

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Main benefits of ivy

As stated, despite being toxic in its natural version, ivy is a plant with many benefits for the health Among its main advantages are:

Expectorant

Ivy contains a number of compounds (such as saponins), which act directly on inflamed bronchi, promoting the expulsion of phlegm and, in addition, relieving pain. cough .

Fighting infections

The plant's compounds help treat some of the most common bacterial and parasitic infections, caused by agents such as Salmonella e Staphylococcus aureus .

Relief from pain and inflammation

When processed, ivy yields an ethanolic extract which, when purified, can reduce inflammation and symptoms of swelling and pain.

In the first case, the presence of alpha-hederine in the composition protects the organ against the use of drugs that are metabolized there (such as paracetamol ).

In the second, this same component, together with saponins, has lipolytic properties, that is, it prevents the accumulation of fat in the blood.

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Contraindications of the ivy plant

It is important to always consult a doctor or specialist before using a medication or dermocosmetic with ivy in the composition - after all, the use of this plant can cause some discomfort, such as nausea and vomiting.

In addition, the plant is contraindicated for pregnant women or with suspected pregnancy, as some studies place it as an abortifacient. breastfeeding by children under 2 years of age and in cases of hyperthyroidism .