Ivy leaf (Hedera helix) for acute upper respiratory tract infections: an updated systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Acute cough due to viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and bronchitis is a common reason for patients to seek medical care. Non-antibiotic over-the-counter cough medications such as ivy leaf extract are frequently used but their efficacy is uncertain. Our purpose was to update our previous systematic review and evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of ivy leaf in the treatment of acute URTIs in adult and pediatric populations.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and clinical trial registries from December 2009 to January 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), and observational studies (OSs) investigating ivy leaf mono- or combination preparations were included. Two independent reviewers

SUBMITTER: Sierocinski E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8275562 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature