Ground Ivy

Common Name(s)

ground ivy

Scientific Name(s)

Glechoma hederacea

General Information

Ground ivy is a plant found in Europe, Asia, and North America. It can be used orally and topically.

How is this product usually used?

Ground ivy is commonly used on the skin by mixing 2 g to 4 g of dried leaves with equal parts (i.e., 2 mL to 4 mL) of water. The mixture can then be applied to the affected area using a cloth as needed. Ground ivy can also be taken by mouth in amounts ranging from 2 g to 12 g of dried herb top per day.

Your health care provider may have recommended using this product in other ways. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What is this product used for?

In herbal medicine, ground ivy can be used on the skin to help heal minor cuts and scrapes and to reduce swelling.

Ground ivy has also been used orally (taken by mouth) in herbal medicine to:

• clear mucus from the lungs to relieve coughs
• help with food digestion
• increase urination
• relieve diarrhea
• relieve hemorrhoids

Ground ivy has also been used topically in herbal medicine to:

• heal minor cuts and wounds
• soothe inflammation

There is not enough reliable scientific evidence to show whether ground ivy is effective in oral and topical forms for these uses.

Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What else should I be aware of?

Ground ivy has not had a thorough investigation of its safety outcomes. When applied to the skin, commonly reported side effects are itching and stinging sensation.

There are no known medications that interact with ground ivy. Those with kidney or liver disease should not take ground ivy as it can worsen those conditions.

Do not use ground ivy together with pennyroyal. Both herbs contain an oil called pulegone, which can damage the liver. Taking these herbs together may increase the risk of liver damage.

Do not take ground ivy if you are allergic to it or to any plants from the Lamiaceae family (e.g., mint, rosemary, basil, oregano, lavender).

Consult a health care provider if any of the symptoms or conditions being treated with ground ivy persist or worsen, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Before taking any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Tell your health care provider about any natural health products you may be taking.

Source(s)

1. Health Canada. Natural Health Products Ingredients Database. Ground Ivy – Topical. http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/monoReq.do?id=109&lang=eng
2. Health Canada. Natural Health Products Ingredients Database. Ground Ivy – Oral. http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/monoReq.do?id=108&lang=eng
3. Natural Database. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Ground Ivy.