Glechoma hederaceae (Ground Ivy)

Question 1

How do you recognise Ground Ivy?

Answer 1

Stem square in x-section, decusateleaves. Trailing stems with flowers in whorls of 2 or 4. Grows mostly in shady spots along hedgerows and at edges of woodland.

Question 2

What are Ground Ivy’s main constituents?

Answer 2

Constituents: Polyphenols such as chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, rutin, genistein, rosmarinic acid and quercetin. Bitter: glechomine 6-7 % tannins. Volatile oil. Choline. Triterpenoids such as ursolic acid and oleanoic acid. Saponins

Question 3

What family is Ground Ivy in?

Answer 3

A member of the lamiaceae.

Question 4

What is Ground Ivy good for?

Answer 4

Summary: Old school plant, similar to plantain in that it’s a trophorestorative of mucus membranes. Plantain is more soothing; ground ivy is more drying. (Gentle) expectorant due to saponins (good for ‘lingering cataarh).

**Actions: **
* Trophorestorative for mucus membranes, more drying
* Mild febrifuge.
* Bitter - been used in the past to flovarou beer, sometimes called alehoof.

**Applications: **
* General tonic in respiratory and GIT problems eg IBS - more of a conditioner, background thing.
* Both dry & productive coughs.
* Sinusitis.
* Dry eyes.
* Nice smell to it, usual as part of the mint family. Supposedly good for getting rid of lead poisoning?

Question 5

What is Ground Ivy’s Latin name?

Answer 5

Glechoma hederaceae L.

Question 6

What parts of Ground Ivy do you use?

Answer 6

Parts used – aerial parts.

Question 7

What safety issues might Ground Ivy have?

Answer 7

Safe

Question 8

What useful research does Ground Ivy have?

Answer 8

Very little useful information online. Good book refs: Julian Barker Medicinal Flora of NorthwesternEurope. Anne McIntyre Healing with Flowers. Monograph: https://heartwood-uk.net/lms/pluginfile.php/230052/mod_resource/content/6/Glechomahederaceagroundivy.pdf

Question 9

What remedies might you make with Ground Ivy?

Answer 9

Fresh plant (and specific tinctures) possibly more active than dried herb.
In tincture 30 – 50ml/week.
Upper respiratory tincture recipe - ‘clear head mix’
* Fresh ground ivy 2 parts
* Mullein 2 parts
* Barberry 1 part
* Ground ivy to Drain and dry & anti histamine, mullein for anti inflammatory/ to balance ground ivy, Barberry for an immune system boost/ infection challenge.
* Take multiple times in first day - once every 15 minute for hour then every hour then after that, every day - 4-5 days total.