What is Ampelopsis quinquefolia?

Ampelopsis quinquefolia is a homeopathy remedy. It is made from Virginia creeper, a climbing vine. Its Latin name is Parthenocissus quinquefolia.

It is a single drug remedy. That means it is made from one plant, not a blend. Old homeopathy books list it for nausea, vomiting, chills and a cold, damp skin feeling.

The remedy is made by watering the plant down, step by step. At 30C, no plant material is left in the pills. Trials do not show it works better than a dummy pill (placebo), and long use in a tradition is not proof that a remedy works.

How does Ampelopsis quinquefolia work?

There is no known way this remedy could act on the body. Homeopathy has its own idea, and it is not shared by the rest of science.

The idea is "like cures like". A plant that causes signs in a well person is said to ease those same signs when watered down. Each step makes the mix weaker.

At 30C, the plant has been watered down so far that not one speck is left. Homeopaths say the water keeps a trace of the plant. That claim has not been shown to be true.

What forms does Ampelopsis quinquefolia come in?

You will most often see small sugar pills. Liquid drops in water and alcohol are also sold.

Common strengths are 6C, 30C and 200C. The higher the number, the more times the plant was watered down.

A mother tincture (marked Q or Ø) is the raw plant soaked in alcohol. It is not watered down and is not a safe home product.

Where it comes from:

The remedy comes from American homeopathy in the 1800s. Writers of that time tested the vine and wrote up what they felt.

Virginia creeper itself grows wild across eastern North America. Some Native American groups used the plant, but that use is separate from the homeopathy remedy.

It has stayed a small, rarely used remedy. It is not a staple of the homeopathy medicine chest.

What does Ampelopsis quinquefolia help with?

• Nausea and vomiting: This is the best known use in the old books. No trial has tested the remedy for sick stomach in people. If you keep vomiting and cannot hold down water, see a doctor.
• Watery diarrhoea: Old texts list it for loose, watery stools with cold skin. There is no trial evidence for this use. Watery diarrhoea can dry you out fast, so get real care for it.
• Chills with cold, damp skin: Books from the 1800s describe a cold, clammy feeling as the key sign for this remedy. That is a written record, not a tested result. Cold, damp skin can also be a sign of shock, which needs a doctor at once.
• Cough and chest tightness: Some texts mention a tight chest and a dry cough. No human study has looked at this. Chest pain or trouble breathing needs urgent care, not a home remedy.
• Tiredness and weakness: Old provings list a heavy, worn out feeling. This is tradition only. New or lasting weakness should be checked by a doctor.

What are the side effects of Ampelopsis quinquefolia?

• No direct effects are expected from 30C or higher pills
• Mouth, throat or stomach burning from the raw plant or mother tincture
• Vomiting and belly pain if raw berries or leaves are eaten
• Upset stomach in people who cannot handle lactose (milk sugar) in the pills
• Extra sugar from the pills, which matters if you have diabetes
• Alcohol in the liquid drops
• Harm from putting off proper care

Good to know:

High strength pills such as 30C hold no plant matter. They rarely cause any direct effect, good or bad.

The real risk is the raw plant. Its berries and leaves hold sharp oxalate crystals. Eating them can burn the mouth and cause vomiting, belly pain and, in reports, kidney strain.

The other risk is delay. If you use this remedy instead of care that works, a real illness can get worse while you wait.

How much Ampelopsis quinquefolia should you take?

• Recommended daily: No safe and useful dose has been proven. No trial has set an amount for this remedy. Pack labels often say 3 to 5 pills, two or three times a day. Homeopaths pick strengths such as 6C or 30C. These numbers come from custom, not from testing. Never take the mother tincture or a very low strength at home. Those still hold real plant matter and can harm you.
• Best time of day: There is no set time. Most people take the pills spread through the day. Custom says to let the pill melt under your tongue.
• With or without food: Custom says to take it away from food and drink. A common rule is 15 minutes before or after eating. This rule comes from tradition, not from testing.
• Time to effect: No proven time frame exists. Homeopaths often talk of minutes to a few days. Any change you notice may simply be the illness passing on its own.
• How long to take it: Keep any trial short. A few days is enough to see if you feel better. Stop if nothing changes after about three days. Stop sooner if you feel worse. See a doctor if the problem lasts more than a week, comes back often, or gets stronger.