Health Tips

Ground Ivy:-

Other Names:-
Alehoof, Cat's feet, Creeping Charlie, Gill-over-the-ground, Gillrun, Hay girls, girls hedge
Habitat:-
Ground ivy is a creeping evergreen perennial European, naturalized in North America and found in damp shady areas, along paths, around hedges and verges of Ontario to deep south, west to Kansas, and along the Pacific Coast. Cultivation: It is easily propagated by root division and thrives in moist shaded areas. A member of the mint family, the fine hairs on a square and creeping stem that grows from a few centimeters to two meters long. The leaves are heart shaped, front, scalloped, dark green and sometimes purple colored. The main root is thick and matted send the runners as long as 36 inches. Flowers appear in March and are purple to blue, two lips and grow in axillary whorls of six. Collect leaves, flowers and stems year round. Can be dried herb enemy later use.
Features:-
Medicinal and edible, a very pleasant mild flavor in salads. Ground ivy is used in alternative medicine and is an excellent spring tonic, it is a boost appetite. It contains a volatile oil that helps relieve congestion and inflammation of the mucous membranes associated with colds, flu and sinusitis. It is anti-allergenic, anti-bacterial, anti-flu, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, Cancer-preventive, expectorant, immune-stimulant, and sedative. Ivy tea or juice is well tolerated and can be given to small children. Some of the most valuable plant constituents are 1,8-cineol, alpha-pinene, apigenin, beta-sitosterol, borneol, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, hyperoside, iodine, Luteolin, menthol, oleanolic acid, rosmarinic acid, rutin, ursolic acid. Ground-Ivy being studied for use in the prevention of Leukemia, bronchitis, hepatitis, many types of cancer and HIV. The fresh juice or a medicinal tea is used to treat digestive disorders, gastritis, acid indigestion and diarrhea. It is also beneficial for liver and renal function, said to relieve gravel and stones. Although the results are not conclusive it is used as an antidote for lead poisoning. Added to bath as an emollient to soften skin and has a calming effect.

Folklore:-
Ground ivy has a long history of use in alternative medicine and as an edible herb, which dates from the first century AD, long regarded as a panacea (cure-all). Known for its vitamin C content is said hi to one of the first herbs and edible plants brought to the North American continent by early settlers.

Recipes:-
Spring Tonic: Steep 2 tsp. fresh or dried herb in 1 cup water for 10 minutes. peppermint taste with honey or to taste ½ cup dose taken twice daily.

Colds and flu: Express with press fresh juice. Take in 1 tsp. doses 3 times per day, ½ tsp. children. Use 2 or 3 drops in the nose twice a day for sinusitis.