2/08/2011

Ivy (Hedera helix L.)

For the ancient Greek ivy was a mark of life force, happiness and a symbol of immortality. We can find ivy in many gardens and in moist forest. It is evergreen plant. Falling on the ground or climbing on the trees, houses...Multiply very easily and does not require special care.
The leaves are leathery, dark green, spiral deployed. Blooms in October.
It has a berries which matures in the spring. They are not for use.
In folk medicine ivy is used against nasal polyps, eye diseases, soft bones, wounds that are slow to heal, stone and sand in the kidney, skin diseases, inflammation of the bladder, vaginal discharge,  rheumatism, cellulite, toothache ...
For treatment use only leaves.