Common Name: Herb Ivy

General Information

Ajuga iva is a prostate, aromatic, perennial plant producing one or more stems 5 - 10cm long from a woody base[].
This is one of the most used medicinal plants in Morocco. It is commonly harvested from the wild and is sold both fresh and dried in local markets[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Mediterranean region - Spain and Morocco east to the Levant

Habitat

Rocky slopes at elevations up to 2,700 metres[]. Semi-steppe shrubland in Israel.

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.05 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Ajuga iva is a Meditteranean plant, found in drier areas all around the region.
Plants in this genus usually prefer a humus-rich, moisture retentive soil and a sunny position[].

Edible Uses

The plant is considered to be a general preventive for all diseases and is therefore added to home made bread[].

Medicinal

Ajuga iva is a much-used medicinal herb in parts of its range. It is widely used in Morocco, where it is particularly valued for treating diabetes, cardiovascular problems and digestive problems.

The plant is said to be antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antimalarial, astringent, depurative, hypoglycaemic and vermifuge and vulnerary[, ]. It can be used either fresh or dried, often as a powder, in the treatment of diabetes. The powder herb, combined with honey, is made into small balls and then eaten as a treatment for stomach and intestinal pains, enteritis, fever, sinusitis and headache[]. The plant is often taken after meals as a preventative of diabetes and hypertension[].
An infusion of the flowering branches is considered to be a very effective vermifuge, and is also used to treat diarrhoea, feminine sterility, colds, and troubles of the digestive tract[]. The smoke from the flowering branches is said to be helpful in the treatment of psychic ailments[].
Externally, the planit is applied to wounds, sores etc[]. Its astringent action (due to the presence of tannins), makes it a useful treatment for all sorts of mouth ailments, such as ulcers of the mucosa and toothache[].

Pharmacological studies have shown that the plant has anti-ulcerous, hypoglycaemic and anti-inflammatory activities.
A water extract of the whole plant possess a strong hypoglycemic effect in diabetic rats, which supports its traditional use in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in humans[].
The sensibility of Spodoptera littoralis larvae to neoclerodane diterpenoids isolated from the leaves has also been demonstrated[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in a container in the greenhouse. Prick the seedlings out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant out when large enough.
Division in spring.