Ground Ivy

Ground Ivy  Glechoma hederacea 

Common Name: Ground ivy Latin : Glechoma hederacea  Family: Lamiaceae ( mint family)  
History and/or use:.Brewing ale and herbal tea to ease stomach pains. 
Wildlife Value: Many wild bees depend on this plant. 

This common plant brightens up woodland glades and grasslands with its many mauve flowers.
It is probably most well known for its use as an alternative to hops in the brewing of ales.
Up until the 1500s it was used in brewing to clear the fermenting liquid and add a sharp flavour. This beverage was known as gill-ale and unlike most ales was reputed to clear the head effectively often within 24 hours. Jonathon Swift (1767) is quoted as remarking on this drink.

If you have any medical conditions please check with a medical herbalist first before taking any plant and only harvest it if you are 100% sure what it is!

Like many of our common plants ground ivy is overlooked and yet has a long impressive history of use.
Traditionally ground ivy is infused with nettle to make what is known as ‘gill tea’. Every spring children from Warwickshire drank this bitter tea for nine days for good health.

This tea not only can help soothe the stomach including griping pains, coughs and chest disorders it also will help clear mucous membranes and as an inhalant help colds, coughs and respiratory complaints. The dried leaves can be used as a snuff and the herb can clear up skin complaints, bind wounds and draw out splinters.

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