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Ground Ivy Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Ground ivy is a creeping European perennial evergreen, naturalized in North America and found in moist shady areas, along paths, around hedges, and roadsides from Ontario to deep south, west to Kansas, and along the Pacific Coast. Cultivation: it is easily cultivated through root division and thrives in moist shady areas. A member of the mint family it is finely haired all over and has a square creeping stem which grows from a few inches up to two feet long. The leaves are heart shaped, opposite, scalloped, and dark green, sometimes tinted purple. The main root is thick and matted it sends out runners as long as 36 inches.

In parts of England, people refer to ground ivy as alehoof because it was used in medieval times to flavor and clarify ale. Ground ivy comes from Glechoma hederacea. This plant with kidney-shaped leaves and purple-blue flowers is one of Great Britain's most common wild plants.

Common doses of ground ivy

Ground ivy is available as an infusion or a tincture made from leaves and flowers. Some experts recommend the following dose:

• 14 to 28 grains prepared as a fluid extract taken orally three times daily.

Uses of ground ivy herb

From early days, Ground Ivy has been endowed with singular curative virtues, and is one of the most popular remedies for coughs and nervous headaches. It has even been extolled before all other vegetable medicines for the cure of consumption. Specifically, ground ivy may help to :-

• Diarrhea
• Digestive disorders
• Ear, nose, and throat disorders
• Nasal allergies
• To reduce phlegm in allergies, bronchitis, hay fever, and sinus inflammation

Side effects of ground ivy

Call your health care practitioner if you experience unusual symptoms when using ground ivy.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practition about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you're taking.

Important paints to remember

• Be aware that little information supports therapeutic use of ground ivy.
• Remember that tested drugs are available to treat the complaints for which some people use this herb.

What the research shows

Ground ivy seems to be well tolerated, and research suggests it's safe in low doses. But more studies must be done on people before medical experts can recommend this herb.

Other names for ground ivy: -

Other names for ground ivy include alehoof, cat's- foot, creeping Charlie, Glechoma hederacea, haymaids, and hedgemaids.