COMMON NAMES : Ground Ivy, Gill-over-the-ground, Hedgemaids, Cat's foot, Alehoof, Haymaids, Tun hoof, Robin-run-in-the-hedge, Creeping Charlie

ELEMENT : Water

RULING PLANET : Venus

GENDER : Feminine

MAGICKAL POWERS : Sleep, Meditation, Divination, Healing, Love, Friendship, Fidelity

DESCRIPTION : Ground ivy is one of the most common perennial plants of this area.

G. hederacea is a smooth or minutely downy plant with creeping stems.

The leaves of G. hederacea are stalked, opposite, roundish, and heart shaped at the base. They are 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long, coarsely and bluntly toothed. The leaves will last until the temperature reaches freezing. The undersides are paler with apparent glands. These glands contain the volatile oil.

The flowers are lavender to purplish-blue, are about 1/2 in long and are in small axillary clusters that bloom between late March and July.

This plant has a balsamic odor and bitter taste.

CULTIVATION : It is common to find ground ivy in shady places, waste grounds, and dry ditches. Easy to grow, sun to full shade.

PARTS OF THE PLANTS USED : The whole plant is used.

PLANT ANALYSIS : Ground ivy contains sesquiterpenes, flavonoids (principally glycosides of luteolin, apigenin and quercitin), triterpenoids, a bitter substance (glechomine), phenolic acids, 6-7% polyphenols (?pseudotannins?), 0.03-0.06% volatile oil, saponin, resin, and choline. The minerals iron, copper, iodine, phosphorus, potassium are also found in this plant.

MEDICINAL USE : Ground ivy is used most often in the treatment of bronchitis and catarrh because of its expectorant action. It is particularly beneficial when used for tinnitus.

Due to its anti-inflammatory and astringent actions, it is also helpful in the treatment of diarrhea and as a topical application for haemorrhoids.

Ground ivy is claimed to be an herb for all inward wounds, and ulcerated lungs. It is 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 to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers. It also has been used for yellow jaundice.

This plant has also been used effectively in inflammation of the lower urinary tract, particularly cystitis.

It is said to be a general metabolism stimulant.

When added to a decoction with honey and burnt alum, it is said to be excellent as gargle for sore throats or to wash genital sores.

The fresh juice snuffed up the nose was used to relieve headaches.

For external use, the fresh, bruised leaves bound around a wound will hasten recovery. When boiled together, ground ivy juice, 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. Combine it with yarrow or camomile to make an excellent poultice for abscesses.

MEDICINAL ACTION : Ground ivy is considered a stimulant, tonic, pectoral, diuretic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti catarrhal, and gentle stimulant.

DOSAGE : For an infusion : 1 teaspoon of the herb to 1 cup boiling water, steep for 15 minutes. To be taken 3 times a day.

MAGICKAL USE : Use ground ivy to discover who is working negative magick against you. Place the herb around the base of a yellow candle and burn it on a Tuesday. The person will become known to you.

HISTORY: The name gill comes from the French guiller, "to brew" or "to make merry." The leaves of ground ivy were used to clarify and add flavor to beer. The leaves were steeped in the hot liquor. Because of this we get the names alehoof and tunhoof. The herb improved the flavor and keeping time of the beer and made the liquid clearer. Ground ivy was replaced in the 16th century by hops.

Gill also meant girl, hence the name hedgemaids.

A tea of Ground ivy was an ancient cure for gout and toothaches, among other things.

The popular name ground ivy is due to its resemblance to true ivy.

The leaves of this plant sometimes develop hairy tumors. These tumors have a strong flavor and were sometimes eaten by the poor.

Ground ivy is native to Europe, but has become widely naturalized in North America.

The Cherokee used Glechoma hederacea in an infusion for measles, colds and hives in children.

The dried leaves were once used as snuff to relieve headaches.

Ground ivy was once used as an antidote for lead poisoning in America.

LORE : Add ground ivy to your bath and you will ease the aging process.

Ancient herbalists said it would cure insanity and melancholia by opening the stopping of the spleen.

Wrap a sprig of ground ivy in a piece of red cloth and place it under your pillow. You will dream of your next love.

USES IN HUSBANDRY : For mares, ground ivy works well for internal cleansing after foaling.

For treating retained afterbirth in mares, add 1 to 2 cups of the herb to 1 pint of water to make a strong brew. Use as half pint drenches approximately every 3 hours.

Caution: Large amounts have proved toxic to grazing horses, but the herb is safe at therapeutic doses.

According to Grieve, it is thought to "be injurious to those horses that eat much of it, though the expressed juice, mixed with a little wine and applied morning and evening, has been said to destroy the white specks which frequently form on their eyes."

CULINARY : Gill Tea is said to be an excellent beverage. To make it, use 1 ounce of the herb infused in a pint of boiling water. Sweeten with honey, sugar or liquorice, and drink when cool.