Episode 236: Ivy for Lungs, Coughs, Burns, and Scars with Luke Ó hErodáin

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Episode Summary

What if a plant we spend so much time pulling off our trees and walls is actually a forgotten medicinal ally?

Common ivy (Hedera helix) has a complicated reputation. It’s abundant, beautiful, and deeply woven into the European landscape, yet many people think of it as an invasive to eradicate rather than something to learn from. In this episode, herbalist Luke Ó hErodáin reveals the forgotten medicinal traditions surrounding common ivy and why he believes this plant deserves a second look. He shares how ivy became one of his most trusted lung herbs, the traditional preparations that caught his attention, and the fascinating history behind its use in European medicine.

Luke also shares the story behind the research project that has become one of his major passions: uncovering and translating the work of the French eclectic herbalists. These forgotten practitioners were exploring whole-plant medicine, sophisticated preparations, and local substitutes for exotic herbs at a time when the medical world was rapidly changing. Their work raises some fascinating questions about what we’ve lost—and what we might rediscover by looking backward.

Ready to explore ivy beyond the garden wall? Luke has shared not one, but four recipes for working with this remarkable plant! You can download your beautifully illustrated recipe card from the section below.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► What makes ivy such a powerful herbal ally for people with deep congestion in the lungs

► How Luke works with ivy for burns, scars, cellulite, and other skin concerns

► Important cautions to consider before using ivy internally

► Surprising ways French herbalists used phytochemistry to inform their herbal practice in the early 1900’s

► How the rise of modern industrial medicine changed the herbalism landscape practically overnight

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t know him, Luke Ó hErodáin, Dip Herb Med, is a medical herbalist based in Ireland and operating his clinic in Cork. He is the current lead of the Herbal Alliance and is actively engaging with professional herbalists in the UK and Ireland to navigate through this digital age through the Herbal Alliance.

Before becoming a herbalist, Luke spent a decade in the media and technology industry working in film production, digital marketing and tech deployment, a background that informs his critical perspective on AI and digital ethics. He is an independent researcher focusing on the French Eclectic doctors and is actively preserving and translating their works. Luke is a foraging instructor dedicated to bridging traditional local and indigenous Irish plant wisdom with modern insights.

Would you prefer reading this episode? If so, click here to download a transcript.

Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, scroll down below.

Connect with Luke:

• Website | CelticFoxHerbal.com
• Instagram | @CelticFoxHerbal
• Facebook | Celtic Fox Herbal
• YouTube | @CelticFoxHerbal

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [1:09] Intro to Luke Ó hErodáin + Luke’s plant path
• [11:46] Why Luke chose to discuss ivy
• [16:16] Ivy for deep lung issues
• [19:35] Ivy for skin
• [22:20] Ivy’s surprising agricultural use
• [24:34] More ivy benefits
• [26:03] The Common Ivy Purge recipe
• [34:50] Ivy for headaches
• [36:43] Ivy + honeybees
• [37:45] Luke’s research on the French eclectics
• [1:01:29] What Luke thinks herbs can teach humans
• [1:06:46] Student spotlight
• [1:07:27] Herbal tidbit

Get Your Free Recipe Download!

-- TIMESTAMPS -- 

• 00:40 - Intro to Luke Ó hErodáin + Luke’s plant path
• 11:59 - Why Luke chose to discuss ivy
• 16:34 - Ivy for deep lung issues
• 20:12 - Ivy for skin
• 23:11 - Ivy’s surprising agricultural use
• 25:36 - More ivy benefits
• 27:08 - The Common Ivy Purge recipe
• 36:22 - Ivy for headaches
• 38:18 - Ivy + honeybees
• 39:21 - Luke’s research on the French eclectics
• 1:04:28 - What Luke thinks herbs can teach humans
• 1:09:51 - Student spotlight
• 1:10:31 - Herbal tidbit

Connect with Rosalee

• On Instagram | @rosaleedelaforet

• On Facebook | Herbs With Rosalee
• On YouTube | Herbs With Rosalee

• Website | herbswithrosalee.com


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