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Ivy Leaf

Traditional respiratory herb with expectorant and bronchodilator properties, clinically proven for cough relief and bronchial health

Scientific nameHedera helix FormulaVarious saponins and flavonoids Molecular weightVariable natural compounds g/mol CASVarious natural compounds
70 absorption score
8 safety / 10
30 USD per month
4 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level C

Ivy Leaf with:

Compatibility score 80 out of 100
80 out of 100
Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

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What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Clinically proven cough relief

Scientifically validated reduction in cough frequency and severity

Saponins provide antispasmodic and expectorant effects reducing cough Evidence A-grade 3-7 days

Bronchodilator and airway support

Natural bronchodilator effects improving airway function and breathing

Alpha-hederin saponins relax bronchial smooth muscle improving airflow Evidence B-grade 1-3 weeks

Expectorant and mucus clearance

Helps clear respiratory secretions and improve mucus clearance

Expectorant saponins help thin and mobilize respiratory secretions Evidence B-grade 2-7 days

Anti-inflammatory respiratory support

Reduces inflammation in respiratory tract and airways

Anti-inflammatory compounds reduce bronchial and lung inflammation Evidence C-grade 1-4 weeks

Chronic respiratory condition support

Long-term support for chronic respiratory conditions like COPD and asthma

Sustained bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects Evidence B-grade 4-12 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine
Ivy Leaf + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Ivy Leaf + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Ivy Leaf + Vitamin D3 No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Ivy Leaf + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Ivy Leaf + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Ivy Leaf + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Ivy Leaf + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Ivy Leaf + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Ivy Leaf + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Ivy Leaf + Thyme Enhanced expectorant and bronchial support Works better together 80
Ivy Leaf + Mullein Synergistic respiratory soothing and expectorant support Works better together 80
Ivy Leaf + Licorice Root Enhanced anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects Works better together 80

Dosage

With meals
Daily25-50mg
Acute cough25-50mg daily
Chronic respiratory25-50mg daily long-term
Bronchial support25-35mg daily
Expectorant support25-50mg daily

Before you take it

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects2-7 days for cough relief and expectorant effects
Peak Benefits1-4 weeks for sustained bronchial support and respiratory health
Deficiency DevelopmentNot applicable - herbal supplement
Toxicity OnsetRare with proper dosing, mainly allergic reactions

How to measure it

Not typically necessary
MarkerGenerally not needed - assess through symptom improvement
OptimalImproved respiratory function and reduced cough
Deficient belowNot applicable for herbal supplement
FrequencyMonitor through respiratory symptom improvement and lung function

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 7 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Dyspnoea 2
Convulsion 1
Hallucination 1
Anaphylactic reaction 1
Rash 1

Excluded from the list above: choking (3). Those are people struggling with the tablet itself, not with the compound.

Named as the suspect 7 reports of 7 that mention it at all
Serious outcome 77% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse
Other Serious or Important Medical Event6
Visited a Health Care Provider2
Other Serious Outcome2

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Absorption High 70 of 100 · absorbs well relative to other forms
Delivered daily 26.3 mg
Cost per 100 mg delivered $3.81 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented
+
Thyme

Enhanced expectorant and bronchial support

Both provide expectorant and bronchial soothing effects · level C
+
Mullein

Synergistic respiratory soothing and expectorant support

Both provide respiratory tract soothing and mucus clearance · level C
+
Licorice Root

Enhanced anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects

Complementary anti-inflammatory and respiratory soothing properties · level C

What not to take with Ivy Leaf

1 documented
!
Respiratory Depressants

May interfere with respiratory depressant medications

Bronchodilator effects may oppose respiratory depression · mild significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining
bronchodilator-medications Minor

May enhance bronchodilator effects

What to do: Monitor respiratory function

cough-suppressants Minor

May interfere with cough suppressant medications

What to do: Separate timing or choose one approach

no-major-interactions None

Generally safe with most medications

What to do: Safe concurrent use

Available forms

bioavailability compared
Ivy Leaf Extract (Standardized Alpha-Hederin) 70

Ivy Leaf Extract (Standardized Alpha-Hederin): Clinically proven, Natural bronchodilator, Cough relief, Good safety

Food sources

before you supplement
Standardized ivy leaf extracts Concentrated alpha-hederin · 70
Ivy leaf tea (properly processed) Lower concentration than extracts · 45
Not found in common foods Specific medicinal preparation required · N/A
WARNING: Fresh ivy leaves are toxic Do not use fresh plant · Dangerous

Too little

deficiency signs
  • Not applicable (herbal supplement, not essential nutrient):
  • General symptoms addressed by ivy leaf:
  • Persistent dry or productive cough
  • Bronchial constriction and breathing difficulties
  • Poor mucus clearance and respiratory congestion
  • Chronic respiratory inflammation
  • Reduced lung function and airway restriction

Too much

toxicity signs
  • Generally safe with minimal side effects:
  • Allergic skin reactions in sensitive individuals
  • Mild digestive upset
  • Rare respiratory irritation
  • Contact dermatitis with fresh plant

Who benefits most

acute-cough-bronchitis

Clinically proven cough relief for acute respiratory conditions

25-50mg daily (standardized extract)
chronic-cough-copd

Long-term bronchodilator support for chronic respiratory conditions

25-50mg daily long-term
asthma-bronchial-spasms

Natural bronchodilator for breathing difficulties and airway constriction

25-35mg daily
respiratory-mucus-congestion

Expectorant support for clearing respiratory secretions

25-50mg daily
seasonal-respiratory-support

Preventive respiratory support during allergy or cold season

25mg daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Ivy Leaf at 25-50mg per serving. The form that matters here is Ivy Leaf Extract (Standardized Alpha-Hederin).

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How it works

  • Alpha-hederin saponins relax bronchial smooth muscle providing bronchodilator effects
  • Expectorant saponins help thin and mobilize respiratory secretions
  • Antispasmodic effects reduce cough reflex and bronchial spasms
  • Anti-inflammatory compounds reduce respiratory tract inflammation
  • Beta-2 agonist-like effects improve airway function
  • Mucolytic properties help break down thick respiratory secretions

Key findings

what the evidence supports
  • Clinically proven effective for cough relief in multiple studies
  • Significant bronchodilator effects demonstrated in research
  • Good safety profile when properly processed and dosed
  • Approved medicinal use in several European countries

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Ivy Leaf?

Documented effects: Clinically proven cough relief; Bronchodilator and airway support; Expectorant and mucus clearance; Anti-inflammatory respiratory support. Scientifically validated reduction in cough frequency and severity

How much Ivy Leaf should you take per day?

The common daily range is 25-50mg. By goal — acute cough: 25-50mg daily; chronic respiratory: 25-50mg daily long-term; bronchial support: 25-35mg daily; expectorant support: 25-50mg daily.

When is the best time to take Ivy Leaf?

With meals. First effects are typically reported within 2-7 days for cough relief and expectorant effects.

What are the side effects of Ivy Leaf?

At excessive doses: Generally safe with minimal side effects:, Allergic skin reactions in sensitive individuals, Mild digestive upset, Rare respiratory irritation, Contact dermatitis with fresh plant. Safety rating at normal doses is 8 out of 10.

What should you not take with Ivy Leaf?

Separate it from Respiratory Depressants by two to four hours. May interfere with respiratory depressant medications

Does Ivy Leaf interact with medications?

Documented interactions with bronchodilator-medications, cough-suppressants, no-major-interactions. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Ivy Leaf?

The marker is Generally not needed - assess through symptom improvement, optimal range Improved respiratory function and reduced cough. Common deficiency signs: Not applicable (herbal supplement, not essential nutrient):, General symptoms addressed by ivy leaf:, Persistent dry or productive cough, Bronchial constriction and breathing difficulties.

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