Aquifoliaceae
Holly Leaf
Ilex aquifolium
⚠ Use with Caution
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: Western and Southern Europe, North Africa
Also known as: Common Holly Leaf, English Holly, Christmas Holly
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Leaf
Therapeutic Uses
Fever (diaphoretic), coughs (antitussive), flu. BERRIES: TOXIC — avoid entirely. Leaf in low doses only.
Herbal Actions
Diaphoretic, expectorant, antitussive, mild laxative, antihypertensive (ilex saponins)
Active Constituents
Alkaloids (caffeoyltartaric acid, chlorogenic acid), flavonoids (rutin, kaempferol), ilicin (bitter), theobromine (trace), caffeine (trace), ilex saponins
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 1 tsp dried leaf per 250ml, steep 10 min, 2x daily — low dose only |
| Tincture | 1–2 ml (1:5, 25% ethanol), 2–3x daily |
| Notes | BERRIES: severely toxic (especially children — keep out of reach). Leaf: low doses only. Limited modern clinical use. Safer alternatives available. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
⚠ Use with Caution
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: BERRIES TOXIC. Leaf: avoid in pregnancy. Low dose only. Safer alternatives available.
Side Effects: Berries: GI bleeding, cardiovascular toxicity. Leaf (high doses): GI irritation, vomiting.