In article 899462a6-1c00-4374-bef5-
, says...
On 23 Jan, 23:01, (Nick Maclaren) wrote:
That's in Culpeper, too.

I don't have a Culpeper. I've ordered it for 89p. Bargain. I've looked
through the hedgerow and 'wild food' cookbooks I have, rather than
medicinal ones, and still hedera doesn't figure in it. The herbal book
from Deni Bown mentions it for it's medicinal values too, nothing new
there. Looks like it is a used plant for medicinal purposes but not
comestible. I won't put it in my crumble.

Extract from Plants for future database, check web page for their sources
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Hedera+helix

The plant is said to be poisonous in large doses[7, 10, 65, 76] although
the leaves are eaten with impunity by various mammals without any
noticeable harmful affects. The leaves and fruits contain the saponic
glycoside hederagenin which, if ingested, can cause breathing
difficulties and coma[274]. The sap can cause dermatitis with blistering
and inflammation. This is apparently due to the presence of polyacetylene
compounds[274].
Although they are almost certainly not edible, there is a report that the
seeds contain 16.2% protein and 35.1% fat[218].
Ivy is a bitter aromatic herb with a nauseating taste[238]. It is often
used in folk herbal remedies[218], especially in the treatment of
rheumatism and as an external application to skin eruptions, swollen
tissue, painful joints, burns and suppurating cuts[9, 238]. Recent
research has shown that the leaves contain the compound 'emetine', which
is an amoebicidal alkaloid, and also triterpene saponins, which are
effective against liver flukes, molluscs, internal parasites and fungal
infections[238]. The leaves are antibacterial, antirheumatic, antiseptic,
antispasmodic, astringent, cathartic, diaphoretic, emetic, emmenagogue,
stimulant, sudorific, vasoconstrictor, vasodilator and vermifuge[7, 218,
238]. The plant is used internally in the treatment of gout, rheumatic
pain, whooping cough, bronchitis and as a parasiticide[238]. Some caution
is advised if it is being used internally since the plant is mildly
toxic[7]. Excessive doses destroy red blood cells and cause irritability,
diarrhoea and vomiting[238]. This plant should only be used under the
supervision of a qualified practitioner[238]. An infusion of the twigs in
oil is recommended for the treatment of sunburn[4]. The leaves are
harvested in spring and early summer, they are used fresh and can also be
dried[9].

I will stick to looking at them!
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea