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.jpg/800px-Glechoma_hederacea,_Hondsdraf_(4).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
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EDIBLE |
TASTE |
RAW/COOK |
SEASON |
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All |
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Shoots |
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Leaves |
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bitter |
RAW/COOK |
Spring |
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Buds |
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Flowers |
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Fruits |
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Pods |
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Seeds |
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Nuts |
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Roots |
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Bark |
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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):
- https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Glechoma+hederacea
- http://www.eattheweeds.com/ground-ivy
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glechoma_hederacea
- http://www.ediblewildfood.com/creeping-charlie.aspx (good photos)
- https://plighttofreedom.com/ground-ivy
- https://www.thespruce.com/get-rid-of-moths-1388158 (insect & rodent repellent)
- https://www.eatweeds.co.uk/ground-ivy-recipe (recipe)
- https://www.brusselslife.be/en/article/millefeuille-of-courgette-and-goat-s-cheese-with-ground-ivy-leaves (recipe)
- https://huntergathercook.typepad.com/huntergathering_wild_fres/2012/06/ground-ivy-the-wild-herb-rub.html (recipe)
- http://wildfeast.co.uk/tag/ground-ivy-recipe (recipe)
- https://growlermag.com/homebrew-recipe-alehoofer-gruit (recipe/brew)