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Common Name: Ground Ivy

General Information

Glechoma hederacea is a Evergreen Perennial up to 0.20 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

A report in the medicinal uses says the plant should be used with caution, no reason is given. Another report says that the plant might be toxic to horses[].

Botanical References

Range

Most of Europe, including Britain, northern and western Asia to Japan.

Habitat

Damp waste ground, hedgerows and woodland margins[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a heavy soil and dappled shade[, ]. Prefers a moist well-drained soil, succeeding in sun or shade[].
A very invasive plant, spreading freely at the roots[, , ].
A good bee plant[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked[]. The leaves have a bitter flavour[], they can be mixed into salads to add a slight aromatic tang[]. They can also be cooked like spinach, added to soups etc or used as a flavouring[, ]. Available very early in the year.
A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[, , ]. It is often used mixed with verbena leaves[].
The herb has been added to beer in much the same way as hops in order to clear it and also to improve its flavour and keeping qualities[, ]. This species was the most common flavouring in beer prior to the use of hops from the 16th century onwards[].

Medicinal

Ground ivy is a safe and effective herb that is used to treat many problems involving the mucous membranes of the ear, nose, throat and digestive system[]. A well-tolerated treatment it can be given to children to clear lingering catarrh and to treat chronic conditions such as glue ear and sinusitis[]. Throat and chest problems, especially those due to excess catarrh, also benefit from this remedy[].
The leaves and flowering stems are anodyne, antiphlogistic, appetizer, astringent, digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, pectoral, gently stimulant, tonic and vermifuge[, , , , , , ]. They are best harvested in May whilst still fresh[], and are dried for later use[]. The leaves are used in the treatment of hypersensitivity in children and are useful in the treatment of kidney diseases and indigestion[, , , , , , ]. Applied externally, the expressed juice speeds the healing of bruises and black eyes[]. Use with caution[].

Other Uses

A good ground cover plant for shady places. It is rather vigorous though and can swamp smaller plants[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in situ as soon as it is ripe, or in the spring.
Division in spring or autumn[]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.