GROUND IVY
-
Glechoma
hederacea
For years and years, I looked at you,
growing
in my garden.
I’d pull you out and toss you aside,
Pulling, pulling, pulling, pulling.
I didn’t hear your message then,
I was blind and couldn’t see.
But this didn’t stop you- oh no!
Year after year you came back.
Then one day I got smarter,
Started listening to Great Wind.
She had so much to teach me,
I had so much to learn.
Now every spring, I go looking,
Anxious to find you growing.
Now I listen, now I know
You have so very much to say.
"it is recommended against the
humming noise and ringing sound of the ears,
being put into them and for them that are hard of hearing."
-
Gerard, 1633
You
may know this ‘weed’ by other names, such as:
Gill-over-the-ground, Cat’s Foot, Alehoof
or Creeping Charlie. But no doubt, you’ve seen him growing in
and around your garden.
Ground Ivy is one of the most common perennial weeds in my area.
It’s a smooth downy plant with creeping stems and roots. The
leaves are opposite, roundish and heart shaped at the base and
bluntly toothed. The undersides are paler, having ‘hairy
tumors‘. These tumors have a strong flavor and contain volatile
oils, but my research failed to come up with any specific use
for them. However, when you look at the roots of this plant,
they remind you of the way cancer spreads. Then you look at this
‘hairy tumor’ and something says- The whole plant- ‘Good for
cancerous tumors.’
The
delicate flowers are lavender to purplish-blue and about 1/2
inch long. They grow in small clusters and bloom between late
March and July. Ground Ivy has a balsamic odor and a slightly
bitter taste to it. For edible and medicinal purposes, the whole
plant is used. It is VERY easy to grow- anywhere- full sun to
full shade and anywhere in-between!
Ground Ivy contains sesquiterpenes,
flavonoids (principally
glyco-sides of
luteolin, apigenin and
quercitin),
triterpenoids, a bitter
substance
(glechomine),
phenolic acids, polyphenols-volatile
oil, saponin, resin, and
choline. The minerals iron, copper,
iodine, phosphorus and potassium are also found in this plant.
Ground ivy is used most often in the treatment of bronchitis,
because of its expectorant action. It is also beneficial when
used for tinnitus- ringing in the ears.
Due
to its anti-inflammatory and astringent actions, Ground Ivy is
helpful in the treatment of diarrhea and as a topical
application for hemorrhoids. It’s claimed to be an herb for all
inward wounds, and ulcerations. It is also said to ease all
gripping pains, gas and choleric conditions of the stomach and
spleen. It is believed to encourage bile flow, and has been
used successfully to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers as well
as yellow jaundice and inflammations of the lower urinary tract,
particularly cystitis. Ground Ivy is a good all- around general
metabolism stimulant.
In
days gone by, the fresh juice of Ground Ivy was sniffed up the
nose to relieve headaches. And for external use the fresh,
bruised leaves bound around a wound would always hastened
recovery. When boiled together, ground ivy, honey and marigold
(calendula) will produce an infusion to clean fistulas and
ulcers. The juice of ground ivy is also said to be good for
bruises and black eyes too. Combine it with yarrow or chamomile
to make an excellent poultice for abscesses. For making ‘juice’
or a poultice- you’ll want to use a little water and steep the
herb in this for a few minutes or longer- it’s that easy.
The
Cherokee Indians used Ground Ivy in an infusion to heal colds,
measles and hives in their children. It was also once used as
an antidote for lead poisoning in America, long, long ago.
The
ancient herbalists or ‘witches’ as they were sometimes called,
said Ground Ivy would cure insanity and melancholia (depression)
by opening the stoppings of the
spleen. So who knows? Maybe these ‘witches’ knew something
others didn’t. Maybe that’s why they were burned at the stake-
they knew too much- they knew Mother Nature’s secrets.
From pages 109 – 110:
Do It Yourself Weed Medicine
