Health Benefits
One of the common names of ground ivy is Gill-over-the-ground, from the french guiller – ‘to ferment beer‘, due to its first recorded use as a beer flavoring and clarifier. Apart from its beer making qualities, ground ivy is well known and appreciated for its medicinal benefits:
Respiratory health
Digestive health
Eye health
Ear health
Urinary Tract
Joint Pain
Skin health & Wounds
Women’s health
Immunity Booster
Headaches
Heavy metal poisoning
Respiratory health
Ground ivy is most known for its beneficial effect on the respiratory system and has been used by herbalist for centuries for treating problems related to lungs, throat and sinuses. Due to its high vitamin C content, as well as the essential oils (as a part of the mints family, it has similar characteristics as mint, thyme or sage) it helps relieve congestion and inflammation of the mucous membranes.This is an excellent solution for anyone having trouble with cold symptoms, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma, sinus infection, chest congestion or a sore throat.
Use the ground ivy tea or tincture to help your body get rid of excess phlegm and mucous and breathe in life to the fullest!
Digestive health
Using ground ivy as a part of your diet can help the functioning of your digestive system. The essential oils found in this herb help sooth digestive disorders, such as gastritis, acid indigestion, gas, colic, heartburn, diarrhea and constipation. It is also great for anyone struggling with the lack of appetite, as it smoothly stimulates the digestive tract and wakes up your hunger.
Since its a gentle herb, it is often used for treating colic in babies and children.
Eye health
Since early centuries, Ground ivy was used as a tea to cool and encourage the eyes.Herbal tea made from Ground ivy is called gill tea and is considered an all-purpose herbal formula. Ground ivy infusion is used as a wash to help you with sore eyes, black eyes, watery eyes, itchiness, spots, cataracts, inflammation of the eyes and poor eye sight.
Ear health
Ground ivy has been used for centuries for treating medical conditions related to the ears, nose and throat (ENT issues). It is a good healing herb for all ear infections and pain, as well as tinnitus (persistent ringing in the ears) both in the form of a tea and tincture.
Urinary Tract
The mild diuretic property of the ground ivy is beneficial for soothing the urinary tract infections and other kidney and bladder problems. Ground ivy is an excellent herb for you if you are suffering from issues like slow urine, painful or burning urination, UTIs, as well as kidney or bladder sand and stones.
Joint Pain
Since joint related pain is connected to the inflammation of joints and production of uric acid, the anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects of ground ivy help sooth the pain of the inflammation and expel the uric acid trough urine. Ground ivy is an excellent help for painful problems like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis or gout.
Skin health & Wounds
The antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of ground ivy all work together to offer an amazing herb for keeping your wounds and skin clean and healthy, allowing the natural process of healing to occur.As it prevents infections and helps speed up the healing process, it often used topically, as a poultice to cleanse sores, wounds, cuts, burns, abscesses, and boils .Additionally, it can be used as a skin care product, either as a face mask (cleaning the pores and excess oils) or added to the bath to soften the skin and enjoy its sedative, calming effect.
Women’s health
Ground Ivy is a bitter herb and contains tannins, which means that it is excellent for helping relieve discomfort, problems and pain related to the menstrual cycle. Irregular menstruation, PMS, cramps and menopause symptoms can be worrying, painful and have a negative impact on your daily life, so try some ground ivy tea or tincture, or combine it with other herbs with similar benefits to get a well needed relief during your cycle.
Immunity Booster
Since its packed with vitamin C, volatile oils, and many other beneficial ingredients it helps keep your body fit and healthy, maintaining your immunity at a high level. This is the most important part of prevention of diseases, as a healthy immune system doesn’t allow any illness to develop.
Headaches
Ground ivy is an excellent remedy for long, persistent headaches. If your have nervous headaches, or headaches cause by congestion of sinuses, drink a hot cup of ground ivy tea to relieve the headache, and clear your sinuses while opening up your air flow.
Heavy metal poisoning
Ground ivy reportedly was used for centuries to prevent and treat a type of lead poisoning called “painter’s colic.” Herbalists Matthew Wood and David Winston have both used ground ivy for mercury poisoning, a concern for anyone who has ever had a cavity filled or fillings removed.