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Bluszczyk kurdybanek cm01.jpg  Glechoma hederacea, Hondsdraf (4).jpg  Glechoma hederacea 2 Radnor Lake.jpg  Glechoma hederacea ENBLA03.jpg 

 

NAME: Ground Ivy, Creeping Charlie

LATIN NAME / FAMILY:  Glechoma Hederacea / Lamiaceae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):  Field Balm, Gill Over The Ground, Runaway Robin

CONDITIONS: partial shade/moist soil
 

PARTS:

EDIBLE cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

TASTE

RAW/COOK

SEASON

All

 

 

 

 

Shoots

 

 

 

 

Leaves

bitter

RAW/COOK

Spring

Stalk/Stem

 

 

 

 

Buds

       

Flowers

 

 

 

 

Fruits

 

 

 

 

Pods

 

 

   

Seeds

 

 

 

 

Nuts

 

 

 

 

Roots

 

 

 

 

Bark

 

 

 

 

 

PORTION: small

 

COMMENT: Ground Ivy / Creeping Charlie is the most abundant of all the mints. It is a ground cover mint and can grow almost anywhere, even in pots. // Leaves can be mixed into salads to add a slight aromatic tang. Ground ivy can also be cooked like spinach, added to soups etc or used as a flavouring. 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.(1)

 

CAUTION: Avoid if pregnant as abortifacient. Contraindicated in epilepsy. Avoid if kidney disease.(1) In this editor's experience, excessive mint exposure may cause an arthritic condition. Mints may have a laxative effect if used in large amounts.

 

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL:  Anodyne;  Antidiarrhoeal;  Antiphlogistic;  Antirheumatic;  Appetizer;  Astringent;  Digestive;  Diuretic;  Febrifuge;  Miscellany;  Pectoral;  Stimulant;  Tonic;  Vermifuge.  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.(1) Also see: https://www.permaculture.co.uk/readers-solutions/health-benefits-ground-ivy  

 

LOOK-A-LIKES:  PurpleDeadnettle.htm  and Henbit.htm 

 

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

 

OTHER USES: Any mint is an insect and rodent repellent, but ground ivy is one of the best. Just put some in a blender with water, sieve out fiber, use mint water to damp mop and dust. Also use to rinse woolen clothes to keep moths away.

 

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):

  1. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Glechoma+hederacea
  2. http://www.eattheweeds.com/ground-ivy
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glechoma_hederacea
  4. http://www.ediblewildfood.com/creeping-charlie.aspx (good photos)
  5. https://plighttofreedom.com/ground-ivy
  6. https://www.thespruce.com/get-rid-of-moths-1388158 (insect & rodent repellent)
  7. https://www.eatweeds.co.uk/ground-ivy-recipe (recipe)
  8. https://www.brusselslife.be/en/article/millefeuille-of-courgette-and-goat-s-cheese-with-ground-ivy-leaves (recipe)
  9. https://huntergathercook.typepad.com/huntergathering_wild_fres/2012/06/ground-ivy-the-wild-herb-rub.html (recipe)
  10. http://wildfeast.co.uk/tag/ground-ivy-recipe (recipe)
  11. https://growlermag.com/homebrew-recipe-alehoofer-gruit (recipe/brew)