Fixed Combinations of Ivy leaf, Licorice root, and Thyme

Fixed combinations of:

Ivy leaf corresponding to B.  Anz. 122, July 6, 1988;
Licorice root corresponding to B.  Anz. 90, May 15, 1985;
Thyme corresponding to B.  Anz. 228, December 5, 1984;

and their preparations in effective dosage.  

Colds and diseases of the upper respiratory tract with viscous phlegm.

For a daily dosage up to 100 mg glycyrrhizin:

• None known.  

For a daily dosage of more than 100 mg glycyrrhizin:

• Cholestatic liver diseases, liver cirrhosis, hypertonia, hypokalemia, severe kidney insufficiency, pregnancy.  

For a daily dosage up to 100 mg glycyrrhizin:

• None known.  

For a daily dosage of more than 100 mg glycyrrhizin:

• Extended administration and higher dosages may cause mineralocorticoid effects in the form of sodium and water retention, loss of potassium with hypertonia, edema, and hypokalemia with muscular asthenia, and, in rare cases, myoglobinuria.  

For a daily dosage up to 100 mg glycyrrhizin:

• None known.  

For a daily dosage of more than 100 mg glycyrrhizin:

• Loss of potassium through other medications can be increased, e.g., thiazide and loop diuretics.  The sensitivity toward digitalis glycosides increases with loss of potassium.  

Unless otherwise prescribed:

The individual components of the combination must each be present at 30 - 50 percent of the daily dosage given in the monographs for the individual herbs.  

Drug extracts for oral intake.  

An expectorant and spasmolytic effect is documented for thyme, ivy leaf, and licorice root.  In addition, thyme has antibacterial action.  Pharmacological tests for the effectiveness of fixed combinations are not available.