Methods: 

• 1,350 patients, aged 4 years and above, suffering from chronic bronchitis (with or without airway obstruction) and under treatment were included in the study.
• In the observational period of 4 weeks, the patients were given ivyleaf extract.
• Treatment success was evaluated by observing the changes inthe direct symptoms of chronic bronchitis from baseline to the end of treatment.
• Safety evaluation was done by reviewing the adverse events.

Results: 

Compared with baseline-

Cough was improved or cured in 92.2% of the patients at the end of treatment; 

Expectoration was improved or cured in 94.2% of the patients at the end of treatment; 

Dyspnea was improved or cured in 83.1% of the patients at the end of treatment; 

Respiratory pain was improved or cured in 86.9% of the patients at the end of treatment.

In each of the four symptoms, a minimum of 38% of the initially affected patients were completely relieved of their complaints.

0.2% of the patients experienced adverse events (2 x eructations, 1x nausea).

Conclusions: 

The favorable changes in the clinical symptoms and an excellent tolerability profile in children as well as adults, make ivy leaf extract a good therapeutic option in alleviating the symptoms of chronic bronchitis.

Source-Hecker M, Runkel F, Voelp A. Treatment of chronic bronchitis with ivy leaf special extract--multicenter post-marketing surveillance study in 1,350 patients. Forsch  Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2002 Apr;9(2):77-84.