Nowadays, we mainly know climbing ivy for its invasive side, to say the least. However, you only need to trace its use throughout history to discover that this plant has much more to offer than hours of manual uprooting. Among the Greeks, it was used against poisoning. The Romans associated it with the god Bacchus and believed that this leafy plant protected against drunkenness. Today, it is mainly used in the recipe for ivy laundry detergent or against corns on the feet and our grandmothers sometimes like to use it as a treatment for respiratory disorders, particularly bronchitis. However, it is none of these uses that interests us in this article, because we will mainly focus on the little-known and yet very effective effect of ivy on cellulite!
Indeed, climbing ivy can replace commercial anti-cellulite slimming creams. In addition to relaxing the skin, this plant helps soften areas invaded by connective tissue knots. This allows it to combat swelling in areas affected by cellulite, including the thighs and buttocks. To find smooth skin without breaking the bank on anti-cellulite products of questionable effectiveness, take a little trip to your garden to do some picking and try out these few recipes!
1) The combination of ivy and clay
For a action anticellulite localeyou can use a decoction of fresh ivy leaves. To do this, collect 100 g which you boil in 500 ml of water for ten minutes. Next, add a little green clay to the mixture so as to thicken the mixture a little and make it easier to apply. All you need to do is apply it to the areas to be treated and leave it to act for at least twenty minutes before rinsing. The ideal is to let the paste dry before taking a shower.
Please note that your mixture can be kept for about a week in the fridge. Just be sure to label it correctly to avoid ingesting it, as ivy is toxic!
2) Ivy compresses against cellulite
With this second recipe, we stick to easy preparations ! Here, all you need to do is simmer 200 g of climbing ivy leaves in a liter of water for three hours. This allows you to obtain a well concentrated liquid. Then we wait until the mixture is hot, but no longer boiling. It can then be taken from compresses to apply to the encrusted cellulite. It is then possible to leave it on for at least as long as the compresses cool.
It is also possible to make these compresses more effective by crushing the hot leaves before applying them to the areas to be improved.
3) An anti-cellulite poultice with ivy, cabbage, rosemary and parsley
This recipe requires more ingredients, but has the merit of remain simple to carry out and be effective. To succeed, we start by making a rosemary decoction. To do this, boil two tablespoons of rosemary for ten minutes over which you have poured half a liter of cold water. While it’s heating, mix a handful of ivy leaves with another of green cabbage leaves and a last of parsley. You can then incorporate your rosemary decoction. You will then obtain a thick paste to spread on gauze and then roll it over the areas to be treated. Wait half an hour before rinse immediately with cold water.
4) The poultice with ivy, algae and essential oils against cellulite
Reduce ivy, fucus and kelp into small pieces. Then take a tablespoon of each to slide into a salad bowl with two spoons of wheat bran. Then add lukewarm water little by little, mixing well until you obtain a thick paste perfect for a poultice. Once done, add two drops of cypress essential oil before mixing one last time. You can then apply this preparation directly to the padded surfaces. Leave on for thirty minutes before rinsing well.