Ground Ivy

Some medicinal plants have such rich and varied histories that it’s hard to name something they haven’t been used for. Glechoma hederacea or ground ivy is one of these plants. It has been used for brewing beer, for treating congestion, cancer, inflammation, and parasites. One could use an infusion of ground ivy for digestive tract diseases just as easily as one could use it to treat eye inflammation or expectorate phlegm. It has a menthol-like smell when crushed.