Glechoma hederacea 

'Ground Ivy'

[Ex. Co. Durham, England]

Lamiaceae: A strongly smelling hairy perennial with creeping stems that at regular intervals and upright flowering stems. Grows in woodlands, hedgerows and grassland, and on bare soils. Tolerant of both shady and exposed locations. The flowers are bluish violet, in open whorls arising from leaf axils. The leaves are kidney-shaped to rounded, toothed. Long-stalked. Widespread and generally common. Native to most of Europe, including Britain, northern and western Asia to Japan.

USES:

The young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves have a bitter flavour, and can be mixed into salads to add a slight aromatic tang. They can also be cooked like spinach, added to soups or used as a flavouring. Available very early in the year. An herbal 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.

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. A well-tolerated treatment it can be given to children to clear lingering catarrh and to treat chronic conditions such as glue ear and sinusitis. Throat and chest problems, especially those due to excess catarrh, also benefit from this remedy. The leaves and flowering stems have anodyne, antiphlogistic, appetizer, astringent, digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, pectoral, gently stimulant, tonic and vermifuge properties. They are best harvested in May whilst still fresh, and are dried for later use. The leaves are used in the treatment of hypersensitivity in children and are useful in the treatment of kidney diseases and indigestion. Applied externally, the expressed juice speeds the healing of bruises and black eyes.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Prefers a moist well-drained soil, succeeding in sun or shade. A good ground cover and bee plant. Surface sow seeds in spring. Easy.

HARVESTED: 2021*

 
APPROX. 50 SEEDS