Description
Ground Ivy is a creeping perennial that helps aid in digestion, congestion and menstrual cramps. Ground Ivy is in the mint family and can also be used to treat headaches and respiratory issues. It also could be therapeutic in immune-related inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Usage
A dropper full taken orally in water or tea.
About Ground Ivy
Ground ivy originated in Europe before it was brought to North America by early settlers. In early times, ground ivy was used as a flavoring and clearing agent for beer brewing processes. The plant was eventually widely replaced by hops, but before then it was a common widespread medicinal plant.
Up until the 8th century in Germany, and the 14th century in England, the ground ivy tincture was prevalently used because there was a widespread belief that its eventual alternative, hops, was dangerous to the health. Later on, these claims were nullified and the use of hops was employed. The history of ground ivy is also founded in Greek and Roman mythology. Researchers point out that it was reported to be used as a treatment for melancholy and anxiety. They also used it for treatment of complications associated with the kidney, digestive tract, bladder, and skin.
Early English settlers brought the plant to the new world amongst other herbs and by the 19th century, it was a prominent herb in the US for domestic and medicinal purposes. Some of the medicinal purposes that it was used for at that time were asthma, jaundice, mitochondria, and kidney diseases.