> Supplement Index > Ground Ivy / Glechoma hederacea / Alehoof / Gill-go-over-the-Ground / Lizzy-run-up-the-Hedge / Robin-run-in-the-Hedge / Cats Foot / Hedgemaids / Tun-hoof / Haymaids / Turnhoof / Creeping Charlie > Ground Ivy General Information Ground Ivy Uses & Scientific Evidence For Ground Ivy Dosage Information Ground Ivy Safety & Interaction Information - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Ground Ivy General Information Ground Ivy is one of many ivy species (Hedera) with medicinal qualities. The flowers are purplish-blue and flower for three months or more. The leaves give off the faint aroma of camphor mixed with a slight smell of citronella and peppermint. As its name implies, it is a plant that covers the ground, and at one time was highly favored. Today though, Ground Ivy is regarded as a weed because it will completely overtake a yard. In the first century A.D., the Greek physician Dioscorides, used it for treating weak backs and eye infections. In parts of England, the plant is called alehoof, and was used to flavor and clarify ale, a traditional drink of the Anglo-Saxons. During medieval times, it was used to reduce fever and treat chronic coughs. Colonial settlers discovered this ivy had high vitamin C content and used it to treat scurvy. The leaves and flowering stems of Ground Ivy have anodyne, tonic, diuretic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, digestive, stimulant, and decongestant properties. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Ground Ivy Uses & Scientific Evidence For The sap or tea of Ground Ivy is used to treat headaches, asthma, coughs, consumption, sinusitis, ulcers in the lungs, fever, and nasal, throat, and ear infections. Ground Ivy has been used to treat gastritis, acid indigestion, intestinal gas, and diarrhea. An herbal tea made from Ground Ivy is used to cleanse the blood and tissues of toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc. Externally, it is used in compresses in treating abscesses, wounds, cuts, and bruises. In Italy, Ground Ivy is used to treat arthritis and rheumatism. The Chinese use it to treat carbuncles, erysipelas, lower abdominal pain, scabies, scrofulous, irregular periods, coughs, dysentery, and jaundice. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Ground Ivy Dosage Information Ground Ivy comes in various forms and is an ingredient in many products. For eliminating metals from the body, use 3 plants in 1 cup (250 ml) water, approximately 30 oz. (1 liter) per day for 10 days or up to 3 months depending on the severity of the poisoning. For other conditions, read and follow product label directions. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Ground Ivy Safety & Interaction Information Ground Ivy is generally regarded as a safe and effective herb that is especially well tolerated by children for numerous complaints. Safety in pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease is not known. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - -