IVY
hedera helix

MEDICINAL VIRTUES

About a dram (1.7 g) of the flowers,
powdered and drank twice a day
in red wine, helps the lax and bloody flux.
Berries powdered and drunk in wine
two or three days together
prevent and heal the plague.
It provokes the urine and women's courses.
Fresh leaves boiled in vinegar and applied
warm to the sides give much ease
to those troubled with the spleen, ache or stitch.
Same applied to the temples
with Rose-water and Oil of Roses
eases a long-standing headache.
Fresh leaves boiled in wine
will cleanse old ulcers if used as a wash.
This will also cure all burns and scalds.
Juice of the berries or leaves snuffed
up the nose purges the head and brain
of thin rheum and cures
the ulcers and stench therein.

Modern Use
The internal use of Ivy is not recommended
as it can cause blood-cell destruction.
The berries are toxic and, used externally,
can cause skin blisters.
However, the leaves can be used
in poultices and fomentations for ulcers,
enlarged glands, boils and abscesses.
It is available as a homeopathic remedy.

It is an enemy to the nerves and sinews,
being much taken inwardly, but
very helpful to them being outwardly applied.
Common Ivy is a well-known evergreen climber
with small yellowish flowers and purplish-black berries.

Where to find it
It grows in woods twining itself around the trees,
and on stone walls of houses and churches.

Flowering time
Midsummer.
Berries are ripe in winter.


ASTROLOGY