Ground ivy is at its peak of beauty right now, and you probably have some growing in your backyard. You may recognize its heady aromatic fragrance, even if you don’t recognize its name. It is often called Creeping Charlie and is also referred to as Gil-over-the-ground, Alehoof and Catsfoot to list but a few of its many names.
It tends to prefer the edges of the garden and lawn and other shady places. It can become quite prolific, some would even say invasive, as a weed. I don’t mind it growing in my yard and garden as I find it makes a beautiful and hardy ground cover.
It is bitter, acrid, aromatic, dry and cooling.
While it has often been neglected in modern herbal medicine, in the past it was a medicinal plant of importance and many references to it can be found in works dating back at least 2000 years. It was an important herb for Hildegard von Bingen and popular in medieval Europe.
Appearing as one of the first flowers to bloom in Spring, it is an important Spring tonic herb. In Britain, it was recommended to be taken in the Spring as a tea together with nettles acting as a blood purifier and general alterative.
It’s alterative effects work on the liver, kidneys and spleen. Its bitter flavour has an effect as a bitter digestive tonic that also has a strong effect on the liver, improving the flow of bile through the liver and gallbladder. It has been used in diarrhea as well as a tendency to hemorrhoids.
It helps support the body in excreting heavy metals such as lead.
It diuretic effects on the kidneys make it useful as a tea in urinary tract infections, and tendency to kidney stones, where it can help dissolve stones. Its effect on the kidney can make it useful in rheumatic and joint issues including sciatica.
It is known in particular for its affinity to the head, being helpful not only for headaches, sinus congestion and allergies, but also having a special affinity to the ears and eyes. It is known to be helpful in tinnitis and ear congestion. It has been used with benefit for acute inflammatory conditions of the eyes, as well as being helpful in improving vision overall.
It has traditionally been an important remedy for all sorts of respiratory conditions including chronic coughs, bronchitis and asthma. It can be helpful for those sorts of coughs that linger, which seems to be a common occurrence these days.
It can be used topically for sprains, bruises and traumatic injuries. In TCM a different
As with many herbs, research shows it to have antiinflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer effects and helps regulate NF-kB.
It has been a traditional herb used in beer brewing, hence its common name Alehoof. Old texts also mention it used cooked in broth to help build up the strength in those suffering from weakness.
It’s bitter flavour makes for a strong tasting tea. Maude Grieve recommends making a strong infusion, allow to cool and sweeten with honey, as a cooling beverage. You can harvest the leaves and flowering tops to dry for tea and to add to broth. Or use fresh to make tincture.